Sierra Leone :Alleged sexual violence- ILRAJ Seeks Justice For Tragic Death Of 8-Year-Old Girl

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Over the alleged recent death of an 8-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually penetrated by her teacher, James Kamara at Filmond Preparatory School in the country, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has in a statement urged the country’s police, the director of public prosecutions and all enforcement agencies including the judiciary to thoroughly investigate the matter as they called for Justice for the young girl.

’’We urge the Sierra Leone Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and all law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure that this matter is thoroughly investigated, with all available evidence meticulously collected and presented to guarantee justice for Kajata Jalloh,’’ ILRAJ urged, whilst stating that it is imperative that the investigation be conducted transparently and without delay, holding the perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law while respecting due process.

ILRAJ, however, demanded a comprehensive and transparent investigation after alleged poisoning which led to the young girl subsequent death.

The 8 year-old, Kajata Jalloh was buried on Friday 15th Nov, after a janaza prayer attended by hundreds of mourners at the Ansarul Islamic College, Mosque, East of the capital, Freetown.
In 2019, President Julius Maada Bio declared a ‘’ national emergency ‘’ on rape but the think tank said yet the prevalence of such cases highlights the need for renewed focus and action in the country on this social and human rights issue.

‘’The Sexual Offences Act, 2012, amended in 2019, prescribes life imprisonment for individuals convicted of sexual penetration of minors. Despite this, Sierra Leone continues to grapple with unacceptably high rates of sexual and gender-based violence, as evidenced by the recurring tragedies like that of Kajata Jalloh and the heart breaking case of Kadija Saccoh in 2020,’’ ILRAJ said, adding this recent incident not only highlights the pervasive threat of sexual violence but also raises concerns about gaps in enforcement and accountability under existing laws in the country.

The Public Think- tank, however, underscored the principle of innocence that every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but said the weight of this case necessitates an expeditious trial and unwavering commitment to justice.
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’ILRAJ calls on the government to prioritize psychosocial support for the bereaved family and extend counselling services to Kajata’s classmates, teachers, and the wider school community, who are no doubt deeply affected by this tragedy,’’ the body further called.

The body further called on the country’s Ministry of Education to ensure that those granted permission to run schools are thoroughly vetted and adhere to strict standards of child protection and safety.

‘’Furthermore, principals must ensure that they recruit teachers and staff who meet the highest ethical and professional standards, including undergoing rigorous background checks to prevent individuals with questionable or harmful histories from working with children,’’

The body therefore recommended for an increased investment in prevention mechanisms, such as education on child protection, mandatory training for educators, and stricter background checks for teaching staff whilst calling on civil society, the government, and international partners to work collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the country.

‘’Section 24 of the Sexual Offences Act, 2019, makes it clear that minors cannot give consent to sexual acts. As a nation, we have a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard our children. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that our efforts must be relentless,’’