In Sierra Leone, the 15-year maximum sentence for rape has been switched to a 15-year minimum thanks to a parliamentary vote, after the West African country’s president declared sexual violence as a national emergency.
“Fighting sexual offences requires strong punitive measures,” said Hindolo Moiwo Gevao, chairman of the parliament’s legislative committee. “It is necessary we set powerful examples in order to curb the problem.”
The new law will also ensure free medical care for rape victims.
