Supporting 350 Female Detainees in Sierra Leone

‘’Bintu’’ (not her real name), a 19-year-old single mother and the primary breadwinner for her family was arrested and detained on charges of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The incident occurred at the place where Baindu works as a sex worker. According to her, she was at her usual spot when the complainant, Mariama Koroma, arrived to sell ready-made men’s dresses.

During this time, Bintu had her handbag containing the sum of Twenty-Five Leones (Nle25.00). After the complainant left the scene, Bintu couldn’t find her bag. Several days later, on April 16, 2025, Bintu saw her again at a market in Kenema City. She approached her and grabbed her by her clothes demanding her bag back. Fatu struggled to free herself, and the situation escalated until an unknown woman, later identified as the chairlady, intervened. She advised both parties to go to the police station, which they did.

At the police station, the complainant alleged that Bintu assaulted her. The police issued a medical request form only for the complainant, and Bintu was detained and subsequently charged to court. Baindu admitted to assaulting Mariama and expressed remorse for her actions, seeking intervention from AdvocAid to facilitate an informal resolution.

Interventions and Legal Support

AdvocAid paralegal informed client about our services while she was at the Magistrate Court. The paralegal also provided legal education about the charges, the investigation process, and her rights. Legal options for informal resolution (IR) were discussed with both the complainant and the accused and both parties agreed to settle the matter outside court.

The paralegal informed duty counsel about the case and they decided to engage the magistrate to request for an out-of-court settlement based on the complainant’s willingness which was granted.

Family Tracing and Welfare Support

During Bintu’s detention, AdvocAid paralegal conducted family tracing and provided welfare support including food, clothing and transportation. Bintu at the time of address wore a dirty dress which was not good for her to appear before the court. With the support, AdvocAid restored the dignity of the accused and enabled her to have communication with her relatives who did not know her whereabout.

Outcome and Appreciation

Bintu and her family expressed heartfelt gratitude to AdvocAid for the timely intervention. She stated “Had it not been for AdvocAid’s intervention, I could have been in incarceration for a long time.”

This case was successfully resolved through legal support, family tracing, and welfare assistance, reinforcing AdvocAid’s commitment to protecting vulnerable women and girls in contact with the law.

At AdvocAid, we believe that every woman, girl, and child deserves dignity, protection, and an enabling environment — even when in detention. While we continue to advocate for alternatives to juvenile detention, such as the diversion model, we also provide practical, life-changing support to those who remain in correctional facilities, approved schools, and remand homes.

During one of our welfare support visits in Freetown, the atmosphere was filled with hope. Children recited moving poems, sang songs with powerful messages, and danced with joy — brief but precious moments that reminded everyone of their resilience despite the harsh reality of life in detention. • 120 women in detention • 2 juvenile girls and 48 juvenile boys at the Approved School and Remand Home • 5 children living with their mothers in detention The packages included food items such as garri, sugar, and milk for all, with slippers for the juveniles, and nutritional, sanitary, and clothing support for the youngest children. These children are particularly vulnerable — the government provides only minimal medical visits for their mothers, leaving all other needs unmet.

In many cases, they receive no support from relatives. Without AdvocAid’s intervention, these children would go without basic necessities. One mother told us: “We have been abandoned by our relatives. If not for AdvocAid, we would not have food and other items for our babies.” A juvenile girl shared: “We are grateful for the support provided by AdvocAid — other organizations hardly remember to support us.” Our intervention does more than fill an immediate gap — it helps women, girls, and children live with dignity, supports healthy growth for the youngest detainees, and reinforces that they are not forgotten. • Provided prompt nutritional and sanitary aid for children living with their mothers in detention. • Restored dignity and hope for women and girls through basic personal items.

The children living in detention with their mothers require monthly welfare support — baby foods, sanitary supplies, and clothing — to ensure their health and wellbeing.

AdvocAid also aims to extend emergency support to children held in police stations and provide post-prison assistance to women upon release.

With your continued support, we can meet these urgent needs and work toward a future where no child grows up behind bars.