S Leone rape victims 'not helped'

Will Ross
BBC News

The RUF rebels waged a campaign of rape and human rights abuse

Amnesty International has called on the government of Sierra Leone to do more for the victims of sexual abuse from the country's decade-long civil war.

During that war human rights abuses were carried out on the population and rape was used as a weapon.

Some estimate that one-third of the total female population suffered from rape and other sexual crimes.

But victims have received no help dealing with the long-term effects of rape, according to Amnesty's report.

It is widely known that Sierra Leone's civil war was one of the most brutal conflicts in recent history.

Although rape was committed by all sides, Amnesty International's report stresses the fact that rebel groups were dependent on thousands of women and girls who served as wives, cooks, labourers, fighters and sex slaves.

Shame and stigma

Women interviewed by the human rights organisation spoke of the medical and psychological problems they have since faced.

But few have been helped - partly because of poor access to services and also owing to the shame and stigma associated with rape.

One mother spoke of how her daughter was gang-raped when she was just 10-years-old.

Now aged 17, she is unable to walk properly - but she is also unable to afford a medical operation.

Amnesty International says the government of Sierra Leone is obliged to provide justice and reparations and it is calling for a special fund for war victims to be established.

Violence is rampant

Following the end of the conflict almost six years ago, a United Nations-backed court indicted 13 men - those believed to bear the greatest responsibility for the war crimes.

The hope is this will send out a message of an end to impunity.

But Amnesty International says it is wrong that so many people have escaped justice.

And the report says that violations of women's rights in Sierra Leone continue unabated, with violence against women and girls rampant.