By Lemuella Tarawallie
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported the Judiciary of Sierra Leone in establishing the country’s maiden specialised Sexual Offences Court in Kenema, a development aimed at improving access to justice and protecting the dignity, privacy and emotional well-being of survivors of sexual violence, particularly children.
The court was officially opened on Friday, 16 October 2026, by Chief Justice of Sierra Leone Komba Kamanda, with support from UNICEF and the Government of Sierra Leone. It features specialised facilities designed to provide a confidential, safe and child-friendly environment for survivors giving evidence in sexual offences cases.
A key feature of the facility is its one-way glass arrangement, which allows child survivors to see alleged perpetrators without being seen by them. The arrangement is intended to minimise the fear, anxiety and emotional distress children may experience when testifying in court.
The facility also includes a specially constructed waiting area equipped with a plasma television and toys for both girls and boys. The child-friendly space is designed to help children relax, feel more comfortable and ease their tension while waiting to testify.
In his statement during the official opening of the court, UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection in Sierra Leone, Patrick Halton, described the specialised court as an important step towards ensuring that survivors, especially girls and children, can navigate the justice system without unnecessary distress or exposure.
“The idea is that girls have a smooth passage through the justice system,” Halton said, emphasising that confidentiality, dignity and appropriate protection must remain central to the handling of sexual violence cases.
He explained that the one-way glass arrangement and other child-sensitive features were intended to reduce the psychological pressure children face when giving evidence in cases involving sexual abuse.
Halton said the establishment of the court should encourage further investment in specialised justice services across Sierra Leone, stressing that survivors in every district deserve access to appropriate protection and support.
He also identified limited resources as a major challenge to strengthening child protection services and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. He said UNICEF continued to work towards mobilising resources to support interventions aimed at protecting children and improving access to justice.
Chief Justice Komba Kamanda formally inaugurated the facility, marking an important development in the Judiciary’s efforts to improve the handling of sexual offences cases and provide a more supportive environment for survivors participating in judicial proceedings.
Chief Superintendent Sylvanus James of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service welcomed the initiative, particularly its potential to support timely trials and ease pressure on correctional facilities.
He disclosed that the Kenema Correctional Centre, which has a capacity of fewer than 100 inmates, was accommodating nearly 500 prisoners. He called for case reviews and timely judicial proceedings to help address overcrowding while ensuring that justice is served.
James’s remarks highlighted the wider implications of delays in the administration of justice, particularly for correctional facilities dealing with overcrowding and the prolonged detention of accused persons awaiting the conclusion of their cases.
Representing Legal Aid in Kenema District, Sylvanus Blake highlighted the emotional difficulties children may experience when subjected to cross-examination in sexual offences proceedings.
He welcomed measures designed to protect survivors and emphasised the importance of speedy justice, stressing that legal proceedings should be allowed to progress without interference.
The head of the Bondo Society in Kenema also welcomed the establishment of the court and expressed appreciation to the Judiciary of Kenema as well as to Chief Justice Kamanda and UNICEF.
