By Ishmael Bangura
FREETOWN, Oct. 3 (SALONE TIMES) –In an effort to end sexual exploitation and promote bodily integrity among the population especially children, Don Bosco Fambul has on last Friday, 24th September, at their headquarters at Fort street in Freetown launched the ‘Lef Mi Body’ Campaign.
‘Lef Mi Body,’ a prevention-oriented advocacy campaign, was launched aiming to strengthen children’s ability to spot dangers and resist them.
It is set with a 24 hours toll free line, 323, to report incidences of rape, harassment and other sexual related offenses. It is expected to reach hundreds of schools, provide training for regional Family Support Units of the Sierra Leone Police and health workers across eight districts including the western Area Rural and Urban.
In her opening remarks, Communication Specialist of the Don Bosco, Amanda Clemens said aggregated numbers of sexual exploitation incidences across the country is disturbing as victims of sexual exploitation have experienced wide range of social challenges which have affected families and the society in general.
“Sexual violence has consequences for the whole family and it has affected plans, education, and future prospect of affected minors,” she said, adding that, the ‘Lef Mi Body Campaign aims to raise awareness among the population about issues related to sexual exploitation and means to prevent them.
She continued that targeting those that could be potentially affected is an essential step to tackle such monstrous act in our society. With this serving as both preventive and responsive efforts, Clemens said the campaign will involve children, community stakeholders, policy makers, child protection partners, law makers and law enforcement agencies across the country.
In her statement, head of Family Support Unit, Madam Fatmata Kamara said as an agency, they have a responsibility to uphold the laws especially the three gender acts of the Republic of Sierra Leone that protect women and children and some of these other problems that posed serious treats to stability.
She said over the years they have implored response mechanism to fight sexual exploitation even though they face serious challenges.
She said a worrying challenge they continue to face is compromising among victims and perpetrators but lauded the effort of Don Bosco for such a complementary effort as it will create a huge impact to contribute in the fight against sexual exploitation of children.
According to the Sierra Leone Teacher’s Union representative, Ibrahim Bankapoma, his union is critical of the issue of sexual exploitation. As they deal with children, Bankapoma said issues of Sexual exploitation is not a new phenomenon to them because they have embarked on similar effort over the years, but went on laud Don Bosco for such an incredible venture. He mentioned that sexual violence has different interrelated sub units that involve rape, harassment, sexual assault, sexual trafficking et al.
Streamlining the term, Bankapoma continued that the issue of sexual violence and exploitation is psychological, emotional and physical and that it impacts on society are consequential to the growth of the child.
He emphasized that anyone can be a perpetrator and people should not neglect victims or situation. He said ‘Lef Mi Bodi’ is one of those significant ways to help society with such issue.
Among attending stakeholders that contributed, the conversation was the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Family Support Unit, Rainbow Initiative, Street Child, Teachers Union, and the ministry of Gender and Children Affairs.
Lef Mi Bodi campaign will be targeting schools across the country through workshops that will be aimed at getting school going pupils that will be trained about the dangers of sexual exploitation, and how to avoid them before its occurrence.
