A distressing video circulating on social media depicts a man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. Reports indicate the alleged assault occurred against the daughter of the man’s wife.

Sierra Leone has unfortunately experienced a disturbingly high number of child sexual abuse cases in recent years.

In response, President Maada Bio declared a national emergency on rape and sexual penetration of minors a few years ago. One of the measures announced was life imprisonment for perpetrators.

Many Sierra Leoneans hoped this strong stance would not only punish offenders but also deter future crimes. However, the ongoing incidence of sexual abuse against children raises serious questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
watch the video here