By Emma Black

In a significant move to strengthen Sierra Leone’s fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police and Rainbo Initiatives have launched a collaborative process to standardise medical reporting in SGBV cases an often-overlooked step that can make or break the pursuit of justice for survivors.

The strategic meeting, held at Rainbo’s headquarters in Freetown, brought together leading voices in the fight against SGBV, including Rainbo Initiatives Director Mr. Daniel Kettor, FSU Head Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray, and FSU Operations Officer Mr. Abu Backarr Kanu.

At the heart of the discussion was a shared goal: to develop a unified, reliable, and survivor-sensitive system for completing and endorsing medical forms used in cases of sexual and physical abuse, particularly for minors.

For too long, fragmented and inconsistent medical reporting formats have hindered effective prosecution. According to Superintendent Mansaray, these lapses often delay investigations and weaken the quality of evidence presented in court.

A survivor’s case can fall apart simply because of how a medical form is filled or signed, Mansaray explained. we want to eliminate confusion and delays, and ensure that medical professionals and law enforcement are working from the same playbook.

The proposed harmonisation will not only unify the format for medical documentation including age assessments but also establish clear communication protocols between healthcare workers and investigators, more importantly, it will introduce a survivor-centered approach to handling evidence, with an emphasis on confidentiality and dignity especially when minors are involved.

To further strengthen the system, the meeting endorsed the idea of a broader national dialogue. This expanded roundtable will involve key institutions such as the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions the chief Justice, and other legal and medical stakeholders, to align the standardised format with both judicial requirements and ethical safeguards.

Rainbo Initiatives Director Daniel Kettor welcomed the partnership, emphasizing the long-standing gap between medical and legal handling of SGBV case, this initiative isn’t just a bureaucratic fix it’s a pathway to justice for countless survivors whose voices are often lost in procedural delays, the meeting also proposed targeted training for police, prosecutors, doctors, and judges on the practical use of the unified reporting tools, these workshops are expected to boost inter-agency coordination and reinforce a common understanding of trauma-informed care and survivor protection.

As part of next steps, a draft unified reporting template will be prepared, followed by a high-level meeting to be convened by the DPP for final endorsement and rollout. This partnership is a turning point, Superintendent Mansaray said as the meeting concluded, we’re not just improving a form we’re building a bridge to justice. Survivors deserve that. Sierra Leone deserves that.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, June 13TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)