Chief Justice Unveils Model Sexual Offences Court in Kenema
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, on 16 October 2026, officially opened a model Sexual Offences Court in Kenema to strengthen the protection of sexual abuse survivors and safeguard the privacy and dignity of victims, particularly children, during court proceedings.
The newly established facility is designed to provide a safer, more comfortable and child-friendly environment for survivors of sexual abuse. It also aims to minimise the risk of victims being identified by members of the public when attending court, reducing their exposure to stigma, discrimination and other forms of social harm.
Previously, the presence of children within court premises could lead members of the public to speculate about their involvement in sexual abuse cases, potentially exposing them to unwanted attention and compromising their privacy and emotional well-being.
Under the new arrangement, child victims will be taken directly to a specially designed waiting room, where they can remain in a private and comfortable environment until they are called to testify. The room is equipped with child-friendly facilities, including films and reading materials, to keep young victims occupied and help ease the stress associated with attending court.
The establishment of the model Sexual Offences Court reflects the judiciary’s commitment to improving access to justice while ensuring that vulnerable victims are treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect throughout the judicial process.
The facility is also expected to support the more efficient handling of sexual offence cases by providing a dedicated environment for proceedings, potentially improving case management and helping reduce delays in the delivery of justice.
The opening of the court marks a further step towards creating a justice system that responds more effectively to the needs of survivors, particularly children, while placing their rights, privacy and welfare at the centre of court proceedings.
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