Country | Sierra Leone |
Year | 2012 |
Type of Measure | Violence against women > Legislation |
Form of Violence | Sexual violence |
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.