218. The realization of child protection objectives in Sierra Leone depends on the active and coordinated participation of all partners. To this end, under the chair of the MSWGCA, a National Child Protection Committee, made up of representatives from all relevant partners, has been established which coordinates and supervises Regional Child Protection Committees in the North, South and Eastern Provinces respectively as well as in the Western Area. The Committee has three thematic subCommittees – Alternative Care, Child Justice and Trafficking in Persons. It aims to hold bi-monthly meetings to discuss and address policy matters affecting children nationally as well as urgent matters affecting their welfare. 219. A number of tools have been developed to support coordinated provision of services across the different sectors and partners. For example, a National Referral Protocol for Victims of Sexual And Gender Based Violence was developed in 2009 by the MSWGCA. The objective of the Protocol is to ensure that survivors of GBV and domestic violence receive prompt and coordinated responses from service providers; to ensure synergized policy and programme development across regions and districts so as to ensure the provision of holistic support, including free medical care, psychosocial support, protective care and legal services; and to ensure that existing policies and procedures are adhered to by all. 220. Services provided to protect children include prevention and response interventions. 221. The MSWGCA has developed a number of prevention programmes, including advocacy campaigns to raise awareness amongst the public and at a local level of the dangers of different forms of abuse, the laws prohibiting abuse and the roles and responsibilities of families, communities and service providers to ensure children are protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The two primary vehicles for the implementation of the prevention and early intervention services are the Ministry’s Family Case Work division and the CWCs at a village and chiefdom level. 222. In addition to the prevention services, a number of response services are provided by a number of different ministries and role players. 223. The Child Rights Act stipulates a number of procedures to be followed and essential services that are to be provided, including rehabilitation and reintegration services, once a child is identified as being in need of care and protection. Procedures are prescribed for reporting and responding to cases of children in need of protection, including emergency powers for a welfare officer, accompanied by a police officer, to remove a child to a place of safety and to bring matters before a Family Court where decisions are made about protective interventions. However, overarching protocols and guidance remains to be developed to implement the provisions. In the interim, the National Referral Protocol for Child Victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence was developed in 2009 through a process of consultation with key stakeholders. It outlines the duties and commitments of all agencies to report and respond to abuse and exploitation of children. NGOs play a key role in the provision of support services, given the severe human, financial and infrastructure constraints faced by the Ministry. 224. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) play a critical role in the protection of children in Sierra Leone. In terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concluded 60  Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Initial Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 2002-2014