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A coordinated awareness campaign on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) has been launched across military installations by the Sierra Leone Police Family Support Unit (FSU), in collaboration with the Gender Directorate of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The initiative aims to deepen understanding of SGBV among service personnel and strengthen prevention and response mechanisms within the military.
The maiden sessions took place on Wednesday at the Benguma Military Training Centre and the Murray Town Barracks, drawing wide participation from recruits, officers, and support staff.
The joint team was led by Lt. Col. (Dr.) Alex Elogima Massaquoi, Director of the RSLAF Gender Directorate; Deputy Superintendent of Police Elizabeth Betty Johnson Williams, Deputy Head of the FSU; and Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police Abu Bakarr Kanu, Operations Officer of the FSU.
During the sessions, facilitators delivered detailed presentations on the mandate of the FSU, key provisions of Sierra Leone’s legal frameworks on SGBV, and penal codes governing offences such as sexual assault and domestic violence. Participants were also briefed on reporting procedures, available survivor support systems, and the shared responsibilities of the police and military in managing SGBV cases.
At Benguma, recruits engaged actively with the facilitators as they sought clarity on how SGBV cases are documented, escalated, and prosecuted. A similar session at Murray Town Barracks drew positive feedback, with officers commending the depth and relevance of the information shared.
Military personnel and their commanders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continued sensitization to reinforce discipline, enhance professionalism, and promote a zero-tolerance policy toward SGBV within the ranks. Many called for regular engagements to ensure sustained awareness and stronger protection mechanisms.
The campaign marks a significant step toward strengthening prevention, accountability, and survivor support within the security sector. Both the FSU and the RSLAF Gender Directorate reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration in building safer and more gender-responsive military environments.
