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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Sierra Leone International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Country Information

Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Sierra Leone International Parental Child Abduction Information

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone
Republic of Sierra Leone
Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime and civil unrest.

Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime, civil unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure.

Advisory Summary: 

Crime
Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, occur frequently in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown. Police struggle to respond to serious crime in most places due to limited resources.

Do not travel outside the Freetown peninsula after nightfall. There are increased safety hazards and security concerns at night. U.S. government employees in Sierra Leone are prohibited from travel outside the capital after dark. The U.S. Embassy in Freetown cannot offer emergency services outside Freetown at night.

Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.

Unrest
Demonstrations and protests occur in Sierra Leone and occasionally result in violence. Protests can happen with little to no warning. They often develop around political issues, large events, or holidays.

Health
Sierra Leone’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe.

Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Be sure to bring enough prescription medications to last the entire duration of your trip. Review our information on Travel Insurance.

If you decide to travel to Sierra Leone:

  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches, jewelry, or smartphones.
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Check with your doctor about required vaccines and shots for high-risk exposure before you go to Sierra Leone. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Sierra Leone.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Sierra Leone.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Sierra Leone.
  • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Freetown
Southridge, Hill Station
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Telephone: (+232) 99-105-000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (+232) 99-905-029
Email: ConsularFreetown@state.gov

For information concerning travel to Sierra Leone, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country information for Sierra Leone. 

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. 

Sierra Leone is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Sierra Leone and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Sierra Leone and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Website
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is considered a crime in Sierra Leone.

Child protection falls under a number of Sierra Leonean offices and agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare, the Sierra Leone Police’s Child Protection units, and the Victim Support Unit.

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Sierra Leone and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy Freetown for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy Freetown posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Mediation services are available through a branch of the Sierra Leonean police department called the Family Support Unit (FSU).

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: February 22, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Freetown
Southridge, Hill Station
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Telephone
+ (232) (99) 105-000
Emergency
+(232) (99) 905-029
Fax
No Fax
Email
consularfreetown@state.gov
Website
https://sl.usembassy.gov/embassy/

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