A child Advocacy Organization Defence for Children International (DCI) has established a psychosocial Services department within the court premises in Kenema city equipped with 32 inches plasma DSTV, set of furniture, toys among others with the aim of ensuring that children in conflict with the law interact with court officers and child friendly organizations before they stand trial. With counseling, victims will be bold to talk freely while in the court room.
Formally presenting the items to the court officials, the Program manager Kenema Defence for Children International DCI Satta Monjama Senesie disclosed that since the inception of DCI as an organization they have been working with children in the justice sector, and they have found out that over the years when children come to court they are shy, they are confused, they don’t talk, they find it difficult to interact with the court. Majority of them that is their first time of interfacing with the court. We found out that they need counseling even though we have been giving them psychosocial support. As an organization we see the need to create a psychosocial room in the court premises where victims will be hosted for some time in a relaxed atmosphere by de-traumatising them, so that they can answer questions in the court.
She said the Psychosocial services room in the court premises is accessible to other social workers of other organizations that deal with children and other court officials will also come to the room to talk to victims.
Receiving the items on behalf of the court, Magistrate Momoh Lansana of court no. one thanked DCI for their continued intervention in the justice sector citing instances of training court officials and material support among others. He said the judiciary of Sierra Leone in general is always in partnership with organizations that are dealing with children who are future leaders citing the instance of Defence for children International, particularly the one operating in Kenema district.
He revealed that they are doing a lot in this part of the country and called on other organizations to emulate the good example of DCI.
Magistrate Joseph Tobi of court no. two thanked DCI for their intervention at this point in time adding it is a boost to the justice system in the nation.
By: Saffa B. Moriba in Kenema