The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, has issued a strong public notice highlighting the urgent need to address a disturbing rise in violence and abuse against children across the country.

In a statement dated June 6, 2025, the Ministry expressed grave concern over escalating incidents of child neglect, physical harm, sexual abuse, trafficking, and even deaths.

Particularly alarming are recent reports from Kailahun District involving sexual abuse of children as young as one year old, the killing of minors under the age of four, and extreme cruelty towards children placed in extended family care. The disappearance of a four-year-old child in the Western Rural District on June 5 has further intensified national anxiety.

“These incidents are a national emergency,” the Ministry stated. “Protecting children is a collective responsibility. Families, communities, traditional leaders, service providers, and all levels of government must act urgently and in unison to prevent further harm.”

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The Ministry has reaffirmed its role as the lead institution for child protection in Sierra Leone, working in close collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and other partners to ensure thorough investigations and justice for victims. Efforts are underway to involve traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and community structures in both responding to and preventing abuse.

The Government also reiterated its commitment to national and international frameworks that safeguard children’s rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and Sierra Leone’s Child Rights Act of 2007—which is currently under parliamentary review to strengthen child protection laws.

Recognising that legislation alone is not enough, the Ministry announced the launch of a range of community-based initiatives aimed at preventing abuse before it occurs. These include positive parenting workshops and school-based awareness programmes. Parents, guardians, and community leaders are being called upon to support and participate in these preventive efforts.

The Ministry is also urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of child abuse or violations to the nearest police station or via the toll-free 116 child protection hotline, available on all networks.

To ensure accountability and public engagement, the Ministry has committed to providing quarterly updates on the progress of investigations and child protection interventions. These will be shared through press briefings and partnerships with local media, including radio and social media platforms, to ensure broad access, especially in rural communities.

“The safety and wellbeing of every child in Sierra Leone must be our highest priority,” the Ministry emphasized. “Together, we must act now to stop the violence, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.”