The lack of a forensic lab to fast track sexual violence cases is a big challenge towards the “Gender: Sexual Violence against Women and Children” commitment made by the government in the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
With increased awareness of citizens in identifying sexual violence against women and girls on the rise, a commitment in terms of protecting that aspect was proposed during the formulation of the second OGP National Action Plans (NAP II).
This commitment has four milestones, which aim to increase accountability and transparency in the justice system. And, only two of these have been completed, one with limited completion and the most important one cannot be set up because of lack of funds, according to the Police.
The Police have been publishing data on crime statistics including sexual violence information. A framework has also been developed and approved by the Police management for the establishment of a forensic lab on gender-based violence.
The absence of the forensic labs has led to a number of cases being thrown out of court because of the lack of evidence to ascertain the actual culprit. A special unit has been created with trained personnel, but the online directory of all sexual violence convicts and published on a half yearly basis, is yet to be completed by the Police.
This directory is said to be stored with data on convicted sexual offenders with their faces posted on the website as a person that has perpetrated violence against women or girls. Now, data on sexual offences are partly found with the Family support Unit (FSU) and also with the Judiciary after prosecution. This system, if implemented fully, will help with comprehensive data and approaches to addressing this issue.
According to information on the OGP website on Sierra Leone’s commitment, it says that despite the commitment shown by the leadership of the FSU, this unit is one of the most under-resourced within the government.
“This lack of funding and weak human capacity has trickledown effect on women and girls ability to access justice. As a result perpetrators of sexual violence continue to commit crimes of sexual violence with utmost impunity. The lack of forensic lab with trained and qualified technicians also an impediment to achieving justice as many cases brought before the Court lack the required evidence…” it states.
The lack of data and directory of convicted perpetrators is seen as a way of protecting their identities, which makes it easier for them to move to other areas to commit the same crimes. Reports from FSU have indicated that girls under 18 are increasingly suffering from sexual violence crimes, whilst conviction rates remain very low. The OGP says it is incumbent on the government to fully protect women and girls as stipulated in Pillar 8 of the Agenda of prosperity and the full implementation of the Sexual Offences Act 2012.
ZJ/21/11/17
By Zainab Joaque
Wednesday November 22, 2017.
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