410. To address many of these issues, a revised Child Justice Strategy (2013-2017) was developed and was approved by the Vice President Leadership group in 2013. The strategy aims to ensure commensurate, fair, effective and efficient justice for every child in contact or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system. This policy links the broader justice sector reform to the child protection system strategy and addresses diversion, alternatives to detention, and makes provision for community based rehabilitation and reintegration. 411. A number of innovations and interventions are contemplated within the framework of the strategy to address the preceding challenges. These include the following:  Development of child friendly spaces and procedures at all police stations, social welfare offices, prosecutors, and in the judiciary: The Strategy includes detailed guidance on the handling of children’s cases for all justice sector actors.  Dissemination and implementation of the National Child Justice Strategy 20132017.  Development and implementation of diversion policy for justice agencies and traditional authorities.  Development of guidelines and standard operating procedure for handling and mediation of children who are in conflict with the law  Promotion of Community Child Friendly Legal Aid through the development of integrated child-friendly legal aid services through a partnership with civil society partners for Justice paralegals, and through developing child justice courses as part of the nascent paralegal curriculum.  Development of appropriate technology and training materials targeting police and court officials  Strengthening of routine data collection tools and information: Police and courts to be supported to collect data for children in contact and conflict with the law. 9.4 Protection from abuse and exploitation 412. Preceding sections of the report document steps taken to protect children from exploitation and abuse, including sexual and economic exploitation and the use of drugs and alcohol. Please refer back to sections 3.3 and 6.3, notably paragraphs 58 and 199208 for measures that have been implemented to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation; section 7.2.5, paragraph 326 for measures protecting children from the use of drugs and alcohol; and sections 3.3 and 6,3, notably paragraphs 58.5, 199 and 200 for further information about steps taken to protect children against trafficking. 413. In addition to the protection discussed thus far, the GoSL has sought to protect children from child labour. It has, introduced minimum ages for child and hazardous labour through the Child Rights Act, as previously described in section 3.4, paragraph 93 of the report. It has further ratified the International Labour Organization’s (ILOs) Conventions 138 (on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment) and 182 (on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour). Pursuant to ratification of the ILO conventions, the Ministry of Labour and Employment established a dedicated Child Labour Unit. 414. Despite the strengthened legal framework, child labour rates have remained consistently high over the past 15 years. 50% of children aged 5-14 years engaged 106  Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Initial Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 2002-2014

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