By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone has raised alarm over what it describes as a deepening child protection crisis, warning that vulnerable children across the country are increasingly exposed to “severe and hidden” forms of exploitation.

The warning is contained in a report released following a nationwide monitoring exercise conducted from March 2 to March 20, 2026. The assessment covered key districts, including the Western Area, Kenema, Bo, Makeni, and Port Loko.

During the two-week study, the Commission engaged a total of 199 children, comprising 122 boys (61.3 percent) and 77 girls (38.7 percent). While boys were found to be more visible in street-based activities such as petty trading and begging, the report highlights a more concealed and dangerous reality faced by girls.

According to the Commission, girls living in street situations are at heightened risk of sexual abuse and exploitation, forced domestic labour, and severe physical and emotional violence. These risks often go unnoticed, making their plight particularly concerning.

The report paints a grim picture of the living conditions of these children, many of whom survive in unsafe and unstable environments. They are often forced to seek shelter in market stalls, verandas, open spaces, and abandoned buildings, exposing them to further danger and deprivation.

A major contributing factor identified in the report is the growing prevalence of substance abuse, particularly the use of the drug Kush. The Commission notes that the rising use of Kush is closely linked to increasing school dropouts and prolonged involvement of children in street life.

The HRCSL attributes the crisis to a combination of entrenched poverty, family breakdown, neglect, and weak social protection systems. It describes the situation as a “perfect storm” that continues to push children onto the streets and into cycles of vulnerability and exploitation.

In response, the Commission has called for urgent and coordinated interventions. Key recommendations include the provision of accessible healthcare services and safe housing for street children, the strengthening of social safety nets to support struggling families, and intensified efforts to combat extreme poverty and substance abuse.

Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions and non-governmental organizations to facilitate the reintegration of affected children into the formal education system.

The Commission cautions that without sustained and decisive action, the consequences could be far-reaching, threatening not only the future of these children but also the broader social fabric of Sierra Leone.

“This is not just a child welfare issue—it is a national concern that demands immediate and collective action,” the report underscored.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th April 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)