Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray Recounts Progress Made By FSU

By Abdul Rahman Bah

Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray has described the transformation of the Family Support Unit as a major step toward strengthening the protection of women, children, and vulnerable citizens across Sierra Leone, revealing remarkable achievements, nationwide expansion, and improved prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases.

Speaking during an interview on Friday 5 May 2026 at the CID Headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown, Superintendent Mansaray explained that the Family Support Unit continues to evolve from its original domestic violence mandate into one of the country’s most important protection and investigative institutions dealing with sexual offences, domestic violence, child trafficking, economic abuse, psychological abuse, and crimes involving children.

The FSU boss proudly disclosed that he became the first male officer since the unit became family support union in 2001, describing the appointment as both historic and deeply motivating. According to him, the institution has moved through several phases of reform, beginning as the Domestic Violence Unit, before transitioning into the Family Support Unit in 2001 and later becoming fully integrated under the Directorate of Crime Services within the Sierra Leone Police.

Since assuming office, Superintendent Mansaray said his administration immediately focused on strengthening human capital and expanding operational capacity nationwide. One of his earliest achievements was securing approval for the recruitment and training of additional officers, with support from UNICEF. The newly recruited personnel were professionally trained and deployed across the country to improve response mechanisms and investigations relating to sexual and gender-based violence.

He revealed that when he took over leadership of the unit, the Family Support Unit operated in only 92 police stations nationwide. Today, that number has increased to 115 stations across Sierra Leone, representing one of the most significant expansions in the history of the unit.

Superintendent Mansaray further stated that he introduced reforms within the regional coordination system by empowering specialized Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Regional Crime Coordinators across all six police regions. According to him, the move has strengthened supervision, accountability, and rapid response operations throughout the country.

The FSU leadership also modernized data collection systems to improve transparency and efficiency. Superintendent Mansaray explained that regional and divisional data officers were introduced to address long-standing challenges relating to underreporting and delayed submissions of case records. Through collaboration with partners including UNICEF and UNDP, the unit secured laptops, tablets, internet support, and digital reporting tools to strengthen nationwide case management systems.

According to official statistics presented during the interview, the Family Support Unit recorded 15,188 reported cases in 2025 involving sexual and gender-based violence and other abuse-related offences. The figures revealed that females accounted for more than 10,500 reported cases, while 4,494 cases involved juveniles and children. Superintendent Mansaray noted that domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual offences, psychological abuse, and economic abuse remain among the highest reported offences nationwide.

Despite the rising number of reported cases, Superintendent Mansaray stressed that the increase reflects growing public trust in the Family Support Unit rather than institutional failure. He explained that more communities now have direct access to FSU services due to the expansion of deployment nationwide, encouraging more survivors to report cases that previously went unreported.

He further disclosed that the FSU has achieved higher conviction rates than in previous years, with more cases being sent to court and more files forwarded for legal advice. According to him, specialized training and improved investigative procedures have significantly strengthened the professionalism of officers handling sensitive cases.

To enhance operational efficiency, Superintendent Mansaray established specialized structures within the directorate, including a Major Incident Response Team and Sexual Assault Syndicates responsible for responding to high-profile and sensitive investigations. These units operate at headquarters and divisional levels to ensure quicker responses and professional handling of survivors and evidence.

While celebrating the progress achieved, Superintendent Mansaray admitted that the institution still faces serious operational challenges. He identified mobility as one of the biggest obstacles affecting effective response to emergencies, explaining that delays in transportation often allow suspects to escape while evidence becomes compromised. He therefore called for additional vehicles and motorcycles to improve nationwide response capacity.

He also highlighted challenges relating to inadequate office space, shortage of stationery, lack of confidential interview rooms, and insufficient child-friendly facilities in many FSU offices across the country. According to him, maintaining confidentiality and dignity for survivors remains impossible without proper infrastructure and equipment.

Superintendent Mansaray emphasized that the Family Support Unit operates through a survivor-centered approach, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare and social workers stationed at various FSU offices. Survivors facing immediate danger are often referred to safe shelters and protection partners while investigations continue.

Looking ahead, Superintendent Mansaray expressed confidence that with stronger support from government and development partners, the Family Support Unit will become even more professional, responsive, and trusted by the public. He assured Sierra Leoneans that the institution remains committed to protecting the rights of women, children, and vulnerable citizens, while ensuring that perpetrators of abuse face justice.

He concluded by reaffirming his open-door policy and encouraged members of the public to report any concerns directly to his office, stressing that the Family Support Unit exists to serve and protect every citizen regardless of status or background.