Surviving Under Abuse for Years…

Works Minister Dennis Sandy Implicated

‘’For years, I have been a silent witness to my own suffering—a survivor of abandonment, torture, and rejection at the hands of those closest to me. Today, I am stepping out of the shadows to tell the truth. I was raised by my stepbrother, a prominent figure in my home country, a man who is currently serving as the Minister of Works and former Minister of Lands, Country Planning, and the Environment. The irony is that this man once held the title of Minister of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Affairs… but for me, he was my tormentor,’’ she alleges.

‘’As an ethnic advocate, I have spent years fighting for the rights of women and girls, because I know firsthand the horrors that too many endure. My own journey of survival began when I became pregnant at 29, abandoned by an ex-partner who worked for a United Nations agency in Sierra Leone. That was just the beginning of my struggles. What followed were years of threats, abuse, and a constant fear for my life and the lives of my family member…For years, I have been silent… but no more. My stepfather, the current Minister of Works, Dr. Dennis Sandy, who represents the government and serves the people, recently threatened to not only destroy me but to wipe out my entire family. This is not just an isolated act; it is part of a broader cycle of abuse that has plagued my life for years,’’ she alleges again.

‘’My late mother got married to him on December 22, 2007, but instead of joy, our lives were filled with sadness, pain, and constant fear. The abuse we faced was not just emotional but physical, with beatings and torture becoming a dark routine in our household. My stepfather claims that these are mere allegations, that my sister and I are lying—but those who are close to me know the truth. For years, I have shared my story, my pain, with those around me, and they know the reality I have lived.
I am tired of hiding. I am tired of the silence. I am tired of the threats. Today, I speak not just for myself, but for every woman and girl who has been silenced by fear and abuse. I call on the government of Sierra Leone and international partners, including the U.S. and British Embassies, to take action. My life and the lives of my loved ones are in danger, and the world needs to hear my story,’’ she pleaded to the government and International Community.

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