FACTORS AFFECTING SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRLS FROM ACCESSING JUSTICE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF SIERRA LEONE.CASE STUDY: LUAWA CHIEFDOM, KAILAHUN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE

Child sexual abuse occurs around the world in completely different contexts and situations. An estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the age of 18 have experienced forced intercourse or other forms of sexual violence, including physical contact. The aim of this study is to explore factors that make it difficult for sexually abused girls to access justice in rural areas of Sierra Leone. Case study: Perspectives from Luawa Emirate, Kailahun District. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The study was conducted in Luawa Chiefdom, Kailahun District. The subjects of the study were girls aged between 10 and 20 years living in Kailahun Municipality. A population sample of 95 participants was selected of which 80 were female and 15 were male participants. 15 male participants were selected to share their views on the phenomenon under study. Data for this study was obtained from two sources namely primary and secondary sources. Secondary sources of data for this study were obtained from published and unpublished materials. These include computerized data, project documents, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and annual reports on rape and other sexual abuse cases published by the Rainbow Centre in Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Police. The study concludes that sexually abused women and girls face a huge disparity in terms of justice compared to men. The study suggests that poverty is the main cause of sexual abuse of girls in Kailahun district.