Rape Emergency Declared In Sierra Leone, Then Lifted. Did Anything Change?
The young girl walks so fast that the sleeves of her sparkly black dress and untucked portions of her blue headscarf billow behind her. As she makes her way to the front of the High Court of Kono, an eastern district of Sierra Leone, she passes the defendant's stand but is careful not to look at the person in the dock. (Neither person's name is being used in this story to protect their privacy and the privacy of their families.)
The girl takes a seat on a wooden chair in front of the judge. The state prosecutor asks if she is Christian or Muslim.
"Muslim," she says.
He then asks if her imam has taught her the difference between a truth and a lie. She says he has.
"And what happens if you lie?" he asks, leaning over his table.
"You go to hellfire," she answers, swinging her feet.
Even though the defendant stands just eight feet away from her, she keeps dodging his eyes. That's because he's the man the 7-year-old claims raped her. He's about 20 years her senior.
The prosecutor stands up, satisfied with her answer. "Okay, my Lord. She's sworn in."
The prosecutor had to find a
