BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: Sierra Leone’s Gender-Based Violence Epidemic - BBC Africa Eye documentary
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- čas přidán 27. 04. 2024
- Beneath Sierra Leone's stunning landscapes lies a deep-seated social crisis. For decades the country has been plagued by incidents of gender-based sexual violence, much of it steeped in the legacy of Sierra Leone’s civil war.
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In 2019, after reported cases of #GBV doubled, Sierra Leone’s president declared a national state of emergency, including the creation of police units dedicated to tackling the problem, and life sentences for those convicted of violating a child.
Five years on, #BBCAfricaEye reporter Tyson Conteh travels across Sierra Leone to find out whether the government has delivered on its promises.
Through unprecedented access to law enforcement, the judicial system, the penal service, and survivors, Tyson Conteh’s investigation asks why, five years after the promise of firm government action, the women of Sierra Leone still face worrying levels of violence.
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Africa Eye brings you original, investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.
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🎞 Watch this film in SWAHILI here: • "Alichukua mtoto wangu...
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Credits:
Filmed, Produced and Directed - CHRIS ALCOCK
Africa Eye Editor - TOM WATSON
Reporter - TYSON CONTEH
Assistant Producer and Camera - ADELLE KALAKOUTI
Film Editor - JOHN MORATIEL
Production Manager - SIMON FROST
Production Coordinator - ABIGAIL KNIGHT
Reversioning Producer - ANNA PAYTON
Social Media Producer - ANUSHA KUMAR
Impact Producer - AMEER AHMED
Digital Producer - TAMASIN FORD
Sound mix - JEZ SPENCER
Colourist - BOYD NAGLE
Online Editor - CHRIS STOTT
Translator - MARIAMA UPSON
Archive - JOURNEYMAN.TV, REUTERS, AFRICANEWS
#SierraLeone #WomensRights #Masculinity #AfricaNews #GBV
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Website: www.bbc.com/africa
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Twitter: / bbcafrica
Instagram: / bbcafrica
📰READ more about this investigation here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68898467
🎞WATCH this film in SWAHILI here: czcams.com/video/Rp-fRgWslng/video.html
No subtitle?
It’s not an issue of dress code. We need a change of mindset. Rape is bad and must be condemned. Great work Brother!
dress code is a root cause. However, we cannot rule out some men being just so bad.
It’s not mindset, it’s male, biological nature.
@@ebrimajobe6535 Dress code is not the root cause. Before the colonisers came, a lot of African tribes used to wear less clothing (traditional clothing), even now in far away villages. Men in those tribes didn't r*pe women and oversexualise them. That was when colonisers came to continent and told us to wear western clothing and teach men to oversexualise women.
Is not women fault, is men because they don't think with a brain but with a penis instead. Ironically, men call women emotional, yet men are no rational at all.
@@ariesunicorn8225 And it was the biological nature of that woman to kill her husband because she was under threat, yet she got 20 years and men who rape women and child get nothing. Make it make sense.
@@ariesunicorn8225explain that to God
I lost it when the rape 😢is being blamed on women, what of women who cover their bodies fully? What of a child who is fully dressed? RAPE IS WRONG, RAPE IS EVIL.
Blaming the.victim sucks!
@@bellaolum9768 this is very wrong tbh
Victim shamers are wicked
Rape is a sin but also it's not the same when it happens behind the club or in your farm it's different reality
@@farabathanmoalimmohamed8373the victim feels the same whether it happened behind a club or the field
I couldn't get over these men blaming women for them raping even children . Im shook 😩
If minors are victims too then it clearly has nothing to do with the dressing.
Also, I think our African cultures play a role in this because some cultures make females appear to be second class which may bring up a sense of entitlement for the males.
My heart goes out to the victims and shout out to the care givers supporting the victims at that centre.
Which “some”? This is a global issue. Men of all races, cultures, classes and religions have been doing this since they appeared on this planet
@@ariesunicorn8225True however Africa is the also the continent with the least development in all areas, including equality in the public and in private. Just watched Cameroonian men embarrass themselves on 90 day fiance with this mentality. Women can't even talk back to men in their country. It's not the norm in all of Africa ofc but they also help push it by saying "this is how it is in Africa", and obv in some it is
It's not in all African culture you will see this level of a misogynistic mind set.
@@tyronsimpson2143Which is why she said “in *some* African cultures”.
BBC ARE WOKE BBC ARE WOKE BBC ARE WOKE!!!
A dress code should never be an excuse to be animal. A rapist is a rapist regardless of dress code how disgusting are they?
Exacty.
Unfortunately, I have also experienced this victimization. It was not one man, but three who were supposed to protect me, yet they abused me. I was five, 9 and 11 to 16 years when my mother’s cousin, brother and husband abused at those respectively. The saddest part is that my mother, a school head, refuses to acknowledge the issue and instead accuses me of abusing her whenever I try to bring it up.
It is disheartening to see how common this is in African society, where young children are sexually violated due to dangerous beliefs such as the idea that sleeping with a child can cure HIV/AIDS or that it can bring fortune and wealth.
This cycle of abuse and silence needs to be broken for the safety and well-being of all children.
So sorry to hear of your painful experiences. Thank you for sharing with us here. 🙏
I am sorry that happened to you my sister that was wrong and it was not your fault. A lot have to be done when it comes to GBV in our continent.
These warped beliefs are demonic
It is a disaster and also disgusting to see grown adults being so senseless about why women are being abused and rapped on.
I am leaving this comment here so that after some hours, days, weeks, months or years when someone likes or comment on it, I will be reminded to watch this video again
Arh😂😂😂
@@smartdiaries2372what’s funny about this?! Or do you just garner pleasure out of being an ingrate?!?!
I'm a Nigerian engineer, watching from Berlin. Shame on our african leaders
Y'all are always talking about the leaders. It's the PEOPLE!!! Who votes for these leaders? Their morals are fundamentally corrupt. The local men literally said with their own mouths that the girls are getting raped because of what they wore. What about the 15 month old? What could she have worn that would've tempted a 22 year old man? Like, don't piss me off.
And yes, I'm African, Nigerian.
stimmt, echt enttäuschend
There is no excuse for molesting or raping anyone. Those that talk about the dress code of women as an excuse for rape are part of the problem.
No guys, this is unacceptable😢😢. I couldn't finish this documentary. Your government needs to do more to protect women. This is dispeakable and revolting. The man who molested the child needs to be found and dealt with. Its so painful 😢
sadly, some of the men he’s talked to in this documentary probably have been suspects of this themselves judging by how nonchalantly they are talking about it and shifting blame.
Imagine blaming a child for rape.
It nonsense.
It nonsense. Monsters yet men wonder why women hate them and don't want to be with them?
" it will be well" very absurd statement. It can't be well the monster messed that baby's life forever and he's roaming around.😢
What scraes me the most is the fact that wherever he is there are children in danger
the picture of that poor child at 06:23 is just sickening. its disgusting. i dont have any words... what a poor soul... poor child
Absolutely sickening I agree. Hopefully karma will catch up with him.
The authorities don't care.Look at their body language.
They are driving big cars and enjoying life with their families but unable to provide vehicles for the police officers to do their job.The popr and vulnerable in Sierraleoneans are treated as animals.The government don't care.I am sorry it's good to make all these laws but if it's not enforce ,it is meaningless.
Feel so sad for the mothers and children
Why would someone say that the reason there is an increase in teenage pregnancy is because of dress code?????Sorry but SOME African men need to realize,the way a woman /girl dresses doesn’t give consent for her to be violated…TF!!!!
Greetings from Kenya, the GBV i feel like it has been downplayed by the society💔😢Femicide has been a menace too😩
This is why abortion should be legal world wide because most of people shouldn't be around other humans
You’ve told no lies.
As hard as it is I agree
This is so sad, It's not just this country, it's a lot of other countries too. This mindset should change #maketheworldsaferforwomenandchildren. My heart goes out to all who've been through GBV, SA ❤
Very correct,I am typing from Nigeria. It’s same here too especially how underfunded the police station appears to be
Shocking 😲 attitude towards women really.
And you wonder why these women migrate to other Countries. This.
@Mikinaak2023, and Marry non Black African men.
As a Sierra Leonean, I can say with the greatest conviction that sexual violence has always existed in our society; the war just made it worse
I want to say sooooo many thing…..this is sad. But the biggest thing is that the culture condones it by brushing the assault under the rug. There are so many sympathizers, even among the women, who continue to allow the predators to still be around the family, lurk, and attend family gatherings. Why? Generational curse…..because if you check, most women in that family unit have been raped or sexual abuse. Some battle with cognitive dissonance Stockholm syndrome and teach the victims to overlook or ignore the trauma. Thus, the cycle continues….
It's so bad I've seen women and families in the States perpetrate the same behavior and have the victims succumb to the continuous reminder of the traumatic event by allowing the predators to continue to be around the family. Sad!!
So, if we are going to talk about this, let's dig deep and diagnose the symptoms by addressing the attitudes and beliefs. And how most but not all don't believe in therapy.
…..the saga continues….you will be soo surprised how many enlightened young adults or older men or women who have stayed far away from their families/Sierra Leone or have a fear of visiting the country because of this ongoing problem. 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Prayers up
Dress code does not give anyone the rights to violate any woman her body is her right may the lord have mercy
The man who spoke about dress code definitely is a sexual criminal.
Important documentary, but if we are honest, this evil reality is not just in Sierra Leone, not just in Africa. Patriarchy is killing us
These deep, harmful views need to be rooted out one community at a time
You wish to replace Patriarchy with what exactly?
A system that works for both sex.
@@mduduzibhebhe4268Oh I don't know, what can possibly exist in a world that doesn't revolve around men😮?
@@mduduzibhebhe4268 a society where men don’t harm children.
I don’t know, patriarchy is what made most countries very strong over the years. I think it’s something else in this particular culture in this part of Africa.
May God purnish 😢all the evil doear against our young woman in Sierra Leone 😢😢😢
In some culture's people walk around nude. Dress has nothing to do with it.
These poor babies, girls,sisters, wives and mothers. This is sick. The whole country needs rape education they think rape is just about sex they need to be educated its about violence superb work my brother thx bbc
You have just pointed out a extremely important subject. The way men and boys and our society in general view rape.
Some of these rapists, criminals may escape the judgement of man, but they can never escape the judgement of God.
felt.
Speakkkk 🗣️
Sexual abuse for both genders as been the “norm” in Sierra Leone, for as long as I can remember.
Guess this is why Sierra Leone is so poverty stricken. Sin and wickedness abounds so goodness has forsaken that country. Makes sense.
for both gender ah/ for both gender,so what you try to say here
that the women in that continent rape these mules there? ohhh poor they
I don't think woman are to be blame here
Some Men needs to control themselves
Job well done Mr Mohamed Tyson Conteh
This is an absolute disgrace. Raping under-aged girls and blaming it on what they wore? This country is still held in the grips of after war trauma. They need serious healing and therapy. A blight on Africa's image.
Watched from the USA. A great expose, very revealing and I pray it can affect some change. Really we men around the world need to become real men, and stop blaming the female power for our weaknesses to resist temptation. What a girl wears or does can never be an excuse to rape her, especially if she is a young teen or younger. So easy to blame others for any and everything that our own conscience should moderate and control. In the USA these are all serious crimes, and it is sad that this African nation and so many others on the Continent have such limited resources to provide for justice. One thing I would recommend for sure is to have a national marshal - a national police unit dedicated to finding and apprehending perpetrators any and every where in the country. In the US, we have the US Marshal service that works with local police in such manhunts.
So you're saying our women should wear whatever they want and not according to the religion or cultural beliefs of the society, you're mean let us apprehend the rapist but also telling our girls are free to chose whatever they want! That's totally wrong we have been here with dignity and mutual respect for women and men there was no bbc and there was no rapist gone unpunished so stop telling half truth
Exactly. Real men are not animals. They are intelligent and protective.
I live in the UK and I can assure you if dress code was the issue everyone here would be in prison for it
@@goodmusic1802 The way women dress has never been an issue, men made it one. As you can tell by the first response to this comment, "women are not allowed to have freedom! How can you tell them to do what they want!?!?"
@@farabathanmoalimmohamed8373this dress argument is a cop out. the reality of what you’re saying is that men who do these terrible things are too weak to control their own bodies and impulses. i don’t think you understand just how much of an insult to your own kind that really is. really think about what you’re saying. because these people can’t control themselves and their urges, it gives them the right to wreak havoc on women and children? notor so now.
I’m not surprising the crazy opinions of these men. The government needs to provide resources and put systems in place to tackle such issues in Sierra Leone.
We need a register for these men so we know who they are and where they live.😂
The police were given basket to carry water .The Government needs to provide computers for data base and fingerprinting.Internet service to link police stations and international trainers invited to train local officers .The Government is culpable
I hope and pray Miss Anita get justice for her child 😢 it's really sad what this world have come to 🤤 really sad!
Some men are sick..poor baby..I pray she get justice
Don't put all the blame on how women dress. Men need to control themselves , respect and protect women. That is not an excuse. Everyone must take responsibility. So, babies and little ones are also dressing inappropriately too and are responsible for being sexually abused. This is not pleasing in the eyes of God.
Greetings from Freetown, Sierra Leone
Keep up the good work BBC
Yes, they are doing a good job of trashing Africa, while they ignore the disasters elsewhere
Watching live from Bonthe island, Sierra Leone
I am glad they're bring attention to the sexual violence. As addressing these issues are the foundation of any functioning community.
Thanks for bringing this to light…watching from the USA…I have being visiting since 2018 to present and have noticing some changes/ progress. I hope to see more improvement with the laws especially when it comes to prosecuting these offenders and providing safe spaces for our young girls.
I hate this statement, "nar fo bear." It is a statement used to condone a lot of wrongdoings. People should stop using it in any of the public offices.
What does it mean?
Take it as how it has been
Exactly!! Salone people dem too like dah phrase deh. It’s nonsense!
Mothers need to make it VERY CLEAR to little boys that rape and beating women or children is wrong .
They clearly have no respect for women, and it needs to be tackled before they become men .
I wonder what the mothers of these men think of their actions and crimes against women and children .
VERY SAD .I WONDER IF ITS DOUBLED OR IF PEOPLE ARE JUST REPORTING NOW .
I'm a man with two wives and I'll never tell my boys to beat or rape women however I'll never teach them to sit and look when our girls go out with half naked body! Why are you not talking about how our women changed copy copy from the western cultures which cannot fit into our societies,
Blaming women again? Are men not responding for raising boys? Is it not the absence of real fathers, or watching the way that their fathers treat their mothers and women in general, the reason for this evil? Don't blame women for a problem created by men? Do you think women want to be SA'd?
Why is it the mother’s responsibility? What about the FATHERS? Society says women don’t know how to raise men, so why are you putting it on the woman?
@@ariesunicorn8225it’s women who have the burden of child rearing. A lot of men don’t think it’s their responsibility.
do you think these men’s mothers would be proud to hear that they have raped a woman? do you think there’s any sane woman on earth that would tell their male child to do that in the first place to then put it on them to prevent it? come on.
Watching from Zambia.
GBV cases are so heartbreaking and sickening!
Thank you for the Documentary
Breaks my heart. God help us
The police officer looks very suspicious 😊
I thought the same thing...😂😂😂... Everything about him screams corruption.
I don’t trust him either
YOU MEAN HE IS LYING THEY ARE NOT HAVING THE MOBILE SUPPORT?
@user-vm7bj6iz5p I mean to say it seems there's a deliberate move to make sure the case goes no further to prosecution. I suspect an Islamic JIHAD conquest via impregnating teenage girs, etc-
They don’t have a police vehicle? This is awful, but with poverty comes less help. So sad so bed!
Truly Horrific
Absolutely sickening. Animals have more love and respect for each other. Wasn't sierra Leon once ruled by an American guy who defected there? How did Africa become so evil?
I almost have no words for how this makes me feel. I just feel like I want to cry for the babies, young girls and the women. My God, I hope change will come. God give them justice.
Shameless men .
What about the little boys too...my God help the children..🙏🙏🙏
I’m watching this as a rape survivor, my offender walks freely and you know what hurts even most is that he is my aunt’s in-law and they even invite him for family functions.
i’m so sorry, you deserve so much better and they failed you.
Are you okay
@@phizzy123 thank you dear, I find my comfort in Christ Jesus.
@@antina8627 They say time heals everything, I just leave it to God.
@biancalizwe9407 God bless you. I'm so glad you have Jesus, and you know that there will be justice. This world is wicked but we are not of this world. Keep being the light ❤
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I pray healing and recovery for these women and children. Also, justice as well.
Educating these men could also be a deterrent for this behavior.
we dont teach old devils NEW TRICKS.for it is engraved in these people dna and culture
doh!
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Why do men hate us?
Rape of a woman is terrible but 11&2 is horrific
Control yourself WTF
Problem identified! Forward In solidarity with the sierra leonian people.
Teach the men to be protectors and providers. Build instirutions where men learn how to be good fathers and men to society and their family
Yes!
Ok teach our woman to respect and listen to their men
@@farabathanmoalimmohamed8373 Likewise men need to respect and listen to their women or the cycle will never be broken
@@farabathanmoalimmohamed8373these women seem pretty submissive to me.
@farabathanmoalimmohamed8373 if a man is the head of the family, he must lead by example at all times. So yeah to be a man is a he'll of a job and it is better done right or not at all.
Watching from Uganda
Watching from Brazil 🇧🇷❤ love u guys
This is very disturbing
I’m not surprised by these men’s opinions unfortunately it’s very common😔 unacceptable!
👎🏾 NO MEANS NO MEN!!!!!😡
Vile how these men victim blame. Especially since historically, African traditional costumes were often casual and short. Men need to actively stop misogynistic Se Violence.
" men cant control their feelings " That says it all. This isn't only an issue in Africa. We as a society have continously looked the other way. Why we don't demand capital punishment along with intense investment towards teaching young boys in schools about treating women with respect I will never understand.
Islam is creeping in that place. Just by the way, man, those men spoke disturbing
Look at Congo no Islam there capital of rape
I’m not being funny, but how many Sierra Leone’s rich people are in the world can they not help to actually offer transport free cars to police officers to help their own country. This is ridiculous. Really what kind of government is this? Oh God, I wish I was a rich person. I would’ve sponsored them everything they even one it’s break my heart. We are all the same people same human 🇸🇱 breaks my heart what a beautiful country is just getting ugly and ugly may Allah help us all 😭😭😭🤮🤮🤮
Watching from South Africa, this is truly sad. This make me think i made a good decision to never go near any men. Only my late father was a true gentleman
My heart goes out to these women and girls. May God be with them
In Jesus name
So so sad!
This is very, very sad 😢
They should cover the high fermicide rate in South Africa. There is even a page that is dedicated to reporting the murder of women everyday.
They wonder why we choose a bear. This is it. Very heartbreaking
Where are the Women activists and women organizations . International funding are available for them
May Allah bless this journalist een dae raise awareness about very very important things den way governments n society nor take serious kudos sir🙌 may Allah bless u🙏
watching from South Africa, i could not finish watching this how can someone rape a baby💔 what on earth is happening😭😭
The government needs to upgrade .DNA is needed .i call on the Government to get real
If the men can't control themselves then separate the women girls and babies from the men. This is awful.
Thank you very much indeed. It is very sad indeed. To see this young generation being destroyed forever. The Sierra Leone government must do more to avoid this kind of crime.
When was this filmed?
with such a criminal justice system why would you believe all the convictions are rightly done
Good education video
I am just lost for words😢
My best session
Excellent report 💯
Horrible place
😢
How can people be so cruel and barbaric?
We need a charity to help them in court and campaigns
Why do i even question all the male personnel put in place to help fight against this epidemic. Its a cancer that has eaten deep and am not sure relief will come in 3 lifetimes from now in Sierra Leone. ....Sad
I’m getting nauseous watching this🤢it’s literally making me sick to my stomach
Watching from Germany🙏🏾
Justice for Anita's baby 😢
Jesus Is Real. The Lord is brining this disgusting violence to light. Thank you for this documentary.
I think alot of awareness through campaigns in the village will change the mindsets of men and boys. A lot of education even in schools need to be done. Government provide cars and fuel ⛽️ for this sector. God intervin!