The much anticipated amended law on sexual offenses has finally made it to the well of the Sierra Leone Parliament where it was debated before been committed to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.
The bill entitled: “The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019” is meant to be the answer to growing calls by campaigners for tougher measures against rape and sexual violence which has spiraled in Sierra Leone. But reaching a consensus is proving difficult.
Earlier this year President Julius Maada Bio controversially declared a State of Emergency aimed at curbing the trend of sexual violence in the country. That presidential decree was eventually revoked following sustained campaign by critics and opposition politicians who called for the amendment of existing laws instead.
The introduction of the bill to the well of parliament on Thursday 11 July followed about two weeks of delay occasioned by concerns raised by activists who fear that the draft document failed to adequately answer all concerns of stakeholders.
The Bill piloted by the Justice Ministry will replace The Sexual Offences Act of 2012. A notable attribute of it is the prescription of life sentence as a maximum penalty for perpetrators of rape and sexual related offences such as penetration of minors.
In the current law the maximum sentence is 15 years.
The amendment also makes provisions for the introduction of offences related to aggravated sexual assault, alternative conviction of aggravated sexual assault, and prosecution of offences under the same Act, among others.
Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who presided over the session, urged fellow MPs to consider the details of the proposed law with an eye of patriotism
“I want you to remember certain facts being drawn to our attention during the debate,” he told lawmakers during the debate, according to a statement from parliament after the session.
“This is a situation that is very serious and we as a nation have to be ashamed of ourselves,” Mr Thoams added.
The Legislative committee is expected to consult with all interested parties before a vote on the final document.
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