By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Lungi Division, has intensified efforts to protect children and young people from abuse through a school sensitisation programme focusing on domestic violence, sexual offences and early marriage.
The awareness-raising exercise was conducted on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Afro International World Bridges Junior and Senior Secondary School in Kasongha, Lungi, where pupils were educated on the dangers of abuse and harmful practices that threaten their safety, rights and well-being.
During the engagement, police officers highlighted the consequences of domestic violence, the seriousness of sexual offences and the risks associated with early marriage. The officers also encouraged pupils to understand their rights, make responsible decisions and speak out against abuse whenever they encounter it.
The programme provided an opportunity for pupils to interact directly with the officers, ask questions and raise concerns about their personal safety and protection. The officers responded to the issues raised, creating room for discussion on the importance of preventing abuse and ensuring that children know where to seek help when their rights are violated.
The initiative forms part of the Lungi Division’s efforts to strengthen police-community relations and promote greater awareness of child protection issues within schools and surrounding communities.
By engaging pupils in discussions about domestic violence, sexual offences and early marriage, the police aim to encourage children to recognise harmful practices, understand their rights and report incidents of abuse to the appropriate authorities.
The sensitisation programme also underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, school authorities, parents and communities in creating a safe environment where children can learn and develop without fear of violence or exploitation.
Through continued school-based awareness campaigns, the Sierra Leone Police seeks to strengthen public understanding of child protection and encourage collective action against practices that threaten the welfare and future of children and young people.
The engagement at Afro International World Bridges Junior and Senior Secondary School highlights the role of school sensitisation in promoting safer learning environments and ensuring that pupils are better informed about their rights and the importance of speaking out against abuse.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 28th October 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
