The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has stepped up efforts to protect a teenage girl at the centre of a widely circulated explicit video, announcing a series of interventions aimed at safeguarding the survivor, supporting ongoing investigations and preventing the further spread of harmful online content.
The Ministry on Monday 6 July 2026 disclosed that it responded immediately after becoming aware of the circulation of explicit images and videos involving the teenager by launching public awareness campaigns, notifying law enforcement authorities, providing psychosocial support to the survivor and issuing a strong public condemnation of the incident.
According to the Ministry, its first intervention was the release of a nationwide public awareness flyer condemning all forms of cyberbullying and warning the public against downloading, sharing, forwarding or circulating explicit images and videos involving the survivor. The awareness campaign emphasizes that the production, possession, distribution and sharing of such materials are criminal offences under Sierra Leonean law and that offenders face prosecution.
The Ministry also confirmed that it promptly notified the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police, which has since launched an official investigation into the matter. Authorities are expected to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for the alleged abuse, as well as those involved in distributing the explicit content online.
Beyond engaging law enforcement, the Ministry said it has made direct contact with the family of the teenage girl. A senior Director from the Ministry, alongside a professional social worker, has been assigned to provide psychosocial support and ensure the survivor receives appropriate care, protection, counselling and referral services.
Officials stressed that the welfare and dignity of the survivor remain their highest priority, noting that victims of sexual exploitation require comprehensive support to aid their recovery while protecting them from further trauma.
The Ministry further announced that it had issued an official public statement strongly condemning the incident, describing the circulation of the explicit material as a serious violation of the rights, dignity and privacy of the child. It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children from all forms of abuse, exploitation, violence and online harm.
The statement reminded the public that Sierra Leone’s legal framework, including the Sexual Offences Act, the Cyber Crime Act and the Child Rights Act, provides strong protections for children against sexual exploitation and cyber-related offences.
The Ministry warned that sharing explicit content involving minors not only constitutes a criminal offence but also causes lasting emotional, psychological and social harm to survivors while potentially compromising ongoing criminal investigations.
It therefore urged members of the public to refrain from making offensive comments, sharing harmful content or engaging in any online behaviour that could further traumatize the survivor or any other child.
According to the Ministry, every citizen has a responsibility to uphold the dignity, privacy and rights of children by refusing to circulate exploitative material and by reporting suspected cases to the relevant authorities.
The Ministry also appealed to families, community leaders, religious institutions, schools, Civil Society Organisations and the wider public to remain vigilant in protecting children from abuse and exploitation, particularly in digital spaces where harmful content can spread rapidly.
As part of its public protection measures, the Ministry encouraged anyone with information relating to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, child abuse, exploitation or cyber-related offences to report such cases immediately through the national toll-free Child Protection Hotline 116, available across all mobile networks.
Members of the public may also report cases directly to the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs at No. 6 Big Waterloo Street, Freetown or through any of the Ministry’s district offices nationwide. Family members and community residents are equally encouraged to report any suspected cases of sexual abuse, exploitation or cyberattacks affecting children without delay.
Reaffirming its commitment to child protection, the Ministry pledged to continue working closely with the Sierra Leone Police, Government institutions, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and communities to strengthen child protection systems, enforce existing laws and promote safer online environments across the country.
The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that protecting children is a shared national responsibility and called on every Sierra Leonean to help end abuse by respecting the rights and dignity of every child, supporting survivors and refusing to tolerate any form of exploitation or violence.
