Sexual Offences Act 2012

Brief Description

Sierra Leone has enacted the Sexual Offences Act  on 28 August 2012.

The act makes provision for various categories of sexual offences and covers persons with mental disabilities, children and married women.  It prohibits forced sex in marital relationships.  It protects children, especially the girl child, from abuse by teachers, religious and traditional leaders.  The law introduces stiff minimum sentences for offenders, raising minimum jail sentences from two years to between five and fifteen years.