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The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged sexual abuse and tragic death of eight-year-old Kajata Jalloh, calling for swift and transparent justice.
The incident, reportedly involving a teacher from Filmond Preparatory School, has shocked the nation and brought attention to the urgent need for stricter enforcement of child protection laws in Sierra Leone.
In a press release dated November 12, 2024, ILRAJ expressed its outrage over the alleged sexual penetration of young Kajata, a crime punishable by life imprisonment under the Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (amended in 2019).
Despite these stringent laws, Sierra Leone continues to grapple with high rates of sexual and gender-based violence, evidenced by the recurring tragedies such as Kajata Jalloh’s case and the earlier heartbreaking death of Kadija Saccoh in 2020.
ILRAJ raised concerns about gaps in the enforcement and accountability of laws designed to protect minors, emphasizing that the harrowing details of Kajata’s ordeal, followed by her alleged poisoning, demand a thorough investigation.
The institute called on the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Sierra Leone Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the judiciary to ensure all evidence is collected meticulously and that the investigation is conducted with transparency and urgency.
“While every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the weight of this case necessitates an expeditious trial and an unwavering commitment to justice,” the press release stated. ILRAJ also stressed the importance of holding the perpetrator accountable to the fullest extent of the law while maintaining due process.
In addition to seeking justice for Kajata, ILRAJ urged the government to provide psychosocial support for her grieving family and extend counseling services to her classmates, teachers, and the wider school community, who are undoubtedly traumatized by the tragedy.
The institute called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that school administrators adhere to strict standards of child protection, including rigorous vetting and background checks for all teaching staff.
While acknowledging President Julius Maada Bio’s 2019 declaration of a “national emergency” on rape, ILRAJ underscored that the prevalence of sexual violence continues to undermine children’s safety in Sierra Leone.
The institute recommended that the government and civil society intensify prevention efforts, including child protection education, mandatory training for educators, and stricter oversight of schools and teachers.
ILRAJ further highlighted Section 24 of the Sexual Offences Act, 2019, which unequivocally states that minors cannot give consent to sexual acts.
The institute emphasized that the responsibility to safeguard children from such heinous crimes rests not only on law enforcement agencies but also on all sectors of society.
“This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that our efforts must be relentless in protecting the most vulnerable among us,” ILRAJ stated, extending its deepest condolences to Kajata Jalloh’s family and urging all Sierra Leoneans to demand justice, accountability, and systemic reforms to prevent such atrocities from recurring.
ILRAJ remains committed to its mission of improving human rights in Sierra Leone, working as an independent, non-partisan think tank dedicated to public policy research and advocacy for justice.
This should not only be about stringent child protection laws; this should be seen as an open call for the MBSSE to regulate and enforce strict conditions on the existence of mushroom private schools in the country taking into consideration learning environment, teacher training and qualification.