Margaret, who is now past eighteen years broke into uncontrollable tears at the very beginning of her tale and had to be consoled and escorted back to her seat to applause that was mixed with sympathetic voices.
At the event, the president made rape, sexual violence and related sexual offences a matter of national emergency. He also declared that with immediate effect, anyone found guilty of sexually offending a minor will receive a life sentence.
In addition, President Bio further declared that with immediate effect, victims of sexual violence shall be treated free of cost at all government hospitals across the country; a special unit set up within the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) apart from the Family Support Unit (FSU) to deal explicitly with sexual penetration cases of minors and the formulation of a court to deal specifically with sexual penetration cases of minors for speedy trial and conclusion.
Several other speakers including the First lady Fatima Bio who delivered the vote of thanks made similar sentiments which were followed by a question and answer session. Chairman of the event was the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Keketoma Sandi.
