By: Aminata Sesay
Efforts to improve justice delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Sierra Leone took a significant step forward on Tuesday, as the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police and Rainbo Initiatives advanced plans to introduce a standardized medical reporting system for SGBV cases.
At the core of this initiative is a commitment to reform how crucial medical evidence is documented, shared, and utilized in prosecuting SGBV cases. A strategic meeting held at Rainbo Initiatives’ headquarters in Freetown brought together key stakeholders, including Rainbo Initiatives Director Daniel Kettor, FSU Head Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray, and FSU Operations Officer Abu Backarr Kanu.
The discussions highlighted a common challenge: fragmented and inconsistent medical reports continue to hinder investigations and delay justice. In response, stakeholders are working to develop a harmonized format for medical documentation of sexual and physical assault, including standardized procedures for age assessments.
“This is more than just paperwork,” said Superintendent Mansaray. “The lack of a standard format affects how quickly and accurately we can respond to survivors. Our goal is to eliminate those barriers through better coordination.”
The harmonization effort aims to bridge the communication gap between police officers and medical personnel, ensuring that medical evidence is both legally admissible and sensitive to the needs of survivors—particularly minors. A standardized process is expected to improve the evidentiary value of medical forms during prosecution.
Stakeholders also recommended involving the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Chief Justice in future consultations to ensure that the framework aligns with legal and ethical standards. Emphasis was placed on confidentiality and the importance of trauma-informed approaches when handling SGBV cases.
To support the transition, a series of capacity-building workshops will be organized for police officers, medical practitioners, prosecutors, and judges. These sessions will focus on the effective use of the new reporting tools and strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
The meeting concluded with a clear roadmap: Rainbo Initiatives and the FSU will jointly draft a template for the new reporting system. The DPP will later convene a follow-up meeting with key justice sector actors to finalize and implement the harmonization strategy.
“This partnership represents a proactive step toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s SGBV response system,” said Mr. Kettor. “By addressing systemic weaknesses in evidence collection, we are helping survivors access the justice they deserve.”