AYV News, January 30, 2026
A team from the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police engaged officials of the National Fire Force at the Fire Force Department Headquarters in Freetown.
The engagement was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abu Bakarr Kanu, Operations Officer of the FSU. The session aimed to sensitise Fire Force personnel on the scope, roles, and mandates of the Family Support Unit, as well as to deepen their understanding of domesticated laws on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Sierra Leone.
Addressing participants, ASP Kanu explained that despite the existence of comprehensive legislation on sexual and gender-based violence, many personnel within sister security institutions remain unfamiliar with the content, context, and practical application of these laws, particularly as they relate to their professional responsibilities. He noted that since the FSU is mandated to implement these legal provisions, it was necessary to share this critical knowledge with sister forces.
The session commenced with an overview of the mandate and operational scope of the Family Support Unit, emphasising that its activities are firmly grounded in law rather than discretion. Key legislation discussed included the Domestic Violence Act (2007), Devolution of Estates Act (2007), and the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act (2009).
Participants were also sensitised on relevant provisions of the Sexual Offences Acts of 2012 and 2019, including their associated penal sanctions. The legal implications of early and forced marriage were equally highlighted.
Further presentations were delivered by Detective Sergeant 14031 Magrette Mabinty Sesay, who spoke extensively on the issue of consent as defined in the Sexual Offences Act of 2012, as well as various forms of harassment. Participants demonstrated keen interest and a strong understanding of the issues discussed, and commended the facilitators for the clarity of the presentations.
The engagement concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which all concerns raised by participants were satisfactorily addressed. Speaking on behalf of the Fire Force, Mr. Donald Cole, Operations Officer, expressed appreciation to the FSU team and requested that similar sensitisation programmes be extended to other Fire Force stations across Freetown’s East and West divisions. He also recommended that additional sessions be organised for personnel on the afternoon shift to ensure broader participation.
