Breaking the silence in remote communities: How access to information and support is helping SGBV survivors to seek justice in three Districts
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With Support from UNDP, CARL-SL holds access to justice for vulnerable groups and advances people-centered justice reform sessions in Kailahun, Moyamba and Falaba Districts
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With support from UNDP, CARL-SL strengthens women’s matrimonial property and inheritance rights and expands access to justice for SGBV survivors in Kailahun, Moyamba and Falaba Districts
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Success story: Breaking the silence in remote communities – How access to information and support is helping SGBV survivors seek justice in Falaba District
In remote communities across Falaba District, geographical isolation, limited access to essential services and the stigma associated with Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) continue to prevent many survivors from reporting abuse and seeking justice. For some women and girls, fear of discrimination, social exclusion and the absence of accessible support systems often force them to suffer in silence.
The experience of Zainab, 22 years illustrates how access to information, timely assistance and survivor-centred interventions can help break this silence and create pathways to justice.
Following an incident of sexual penitration, Zainab found herself isolated and living in hiding, with limited knowledge of where to seek assistance or how to pursue justice. The stigma surrounding sexual penitration, coupled with the challenges of accessing support in her community, further compounded her situation. However, through a project-sponsored radio awareness programme, Zainab learned about her rights and the support services available to survivors of SGBV. Encouraged by the information, she found the courage to seek help and access the assistance she needed.
With support from the project’s paralegal services, Zainab was connected to essential medical care, emergency shelter and legal guidance. This assistance helped her navigate the reporting and justice processes while addressing some of the immediate protection and recovery needs arising from her experience. With the necessary support and engagement of relevant actors, her case progressed through the justice system and is now before the Magistrate.
Beyond her personal journey, Zainab’s decision to speak out has encouraged other survivors to seek assistance, demonstrating the importance of community awareness, accessible referral pathways and survivor-centred support in addressing SGBV. The intervention has also contributed to strengthening institutional responses. Following engagements with relevant stakeholders, family support unit, referral system for SGBV cases, aimed at improving coordination and facilitating more timely referrals for survivors seeking protection and justice.
Zainab’s experience demonstrates that access to information can empower survivors to break the silence, while coordinated medical, psychosocial, legal and protection services can help them pursue justice and rebuild their lives. Nevertheless, many women and girls in remote communities across Falaba continue to face geographical, financial and social barriers to accessing justice and essential support services. Expanding community awareness, strengthening referral mechanisms and improving the availability of survivor-centred services remain critical to ensuring that no survivor is left behind.
Through support from the UNDP, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) continues to promote access to justice, strengthen institutional responses and support efforts to protect survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Zainab’s story reminds us that when survivors know their rights and have access to appropriate support, silence can give way to courage, and courage can inspire change across entire communities.
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Success story: Sustaining access to justice for a child survivor: Princess’s journey towards justice and educational recovery in Moyamba District.
Through support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) implemented an initiative aimed at strengthening access to justice for vulnerable groups and advancing people-centred justice reforms for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence across Falaba, Moyamba and Kailahun districts.
In Moyamba District, financial constraints and social stigma continue to create significant barriers for child survivors of sexual and gender-based violence seeking justice and support. The experience of a 16-year-old, Princess Sheriff, highlights how targeted interventions can help overcome these challenges and protect the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable children.
Princess reported an alleged incident of sexual penetration at the Taiama Police Post, prompting the Family Support Unit (FSU) to commence investigations. However, her family’s inability to afford transportation for investigative procedures threatened to delay progress on the case. Through project-supported transportation assistance, Princess and key witnesses were able to participate in the investigation, contributing to the case being charged to court and subsequently committed to the High Court. Beyond the legal challenges, Princess also experienced social stigma that forced her to withdraw from school. Recognising the importance of her emotional wellbeing and continued education, the project provided psychosocial support and engaged school authorities to facilitate her safe return to the classroom.
Today, Princess has resumed her education while awaiting trial. Her experience demonstrates how practical financial assistance, psychosocial support and institutional collaboration can help prevent poverty and stigma from undermining survivors’ access to justice and other fundamental rights. Although the judicial process remains ongoing, her progress represents an important step towards restoring hope, dignity and opportunities for a child survivor.
Through support from the UNDP, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) continues to strengthen survivor-centred interventions and promote access to justice for vulnerable survivors.
No child should be denied justice because of poverty or forced out of school because of stigma.
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