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<p>The Government is aware that the President of Sierra Leone has declared a national
emergency on the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence. The high rates are
alarming: 56 per cent of women in Sierra Leone report experiencing physical violence.
This month, the Sierra Leone-based Rainbo Initiative reported 2800 sexual assaults
committed against girls and women since the start of 2018.</p><p>The British Government
regularly raises concerns about sexual and gender-based violence with the Government
of Sierra Leone. The High Commissioner to Sierra Leone met the First Lady of Sierra
Leone, a prominent campaigner, on 12 February 2019 to discuss the issue. We welcome
President Bio's recent steps to establish a new police department that solely investigates
sexual offenses involving children and a special court focusing on such cases.</p>
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