Sierra Leone's President Declared Rape A National Emergency. What Happens Now?

Rape and sexual violence in Sienna Leone is now a national emergency.

Last week President Julius Maada Bio declared it so, and outlined ambitious plans — like free hospital care to rape victims, creating special police and court divisions devoted to sexual violence and a national phone hotline — to address the problem.

Sierra Leone's sexual violence statistics are harrowing. According to the country's police service, there were more than 8,500 reported case of sexual- and gender-based violence in 2018 — and a third of these involved a minor. But many activists, and the country's first lady, say the number of actual cases is likely much higher, as many instances go unreported.

In his announcement, the president noted that "each month, hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assault, a nonprofit that offers free health care and psychosocial services to sexual violence survivors.