By Emma Black

In a move to bolster the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police has concluded a five-day intensive training for officers in the Western Area. The training, held at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA) in Hastings, brought together 40 officers from Freetown East and West.

Organized in partnership with UNICEF, the training aimed to enhance the investigative and case management skills of FSU personnel, officers were taken through key areas including Standard operating procedures (SOPs), SGBV response protocols, the case management manual, and strategies for addressing juvenile delinquency.

Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray, head of the FSU, highlighted the importance of the training during the closing ceremony; this is more than a workshop, it’s a commitment to ensuring justice and support for survivors of violence, our officers must be ambassadors of knowledge, professionalism, and empathy, he said.

The training was designed to ensure that FSU personnel are not only well-informed about national and international standards in handling SGBV cases but are also equipped to apply these protocols consistently in their communities.

Participants expressed renewed confidence and motivation to implement what they learned, signaling a strengthened commitment within the police to address SGBV cases with sensitivity, efficiency, and adherence to best practices.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by UNICEF and the Sierra Leone Police to improve protection services and access to justice for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday,23th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)