The 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report has revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.
The report further revealed that the government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period; therefore Sierra Leone remained on Tier 2.Key among these efforts included referring all identified trafficking victims to care and providing in-kind and financial assistance to NGO-operated shelters. The government increased investigations and established two new coordination bodies to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts.
Below are the Prioritized Recommendations by the Report:
The Government of Sierra Leone should expand victim protection services for all trafficking victims, including shelter for male victims.
Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should include significant prison terms.
Increase training for police, prosecutors, and judges on investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases under the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022.
