Section 52, The Child Right Act, 2007

(1) For the avoidance of any doubt, a child welfarecommittee shall not have jurisdiction over the following cases, which it shall immediately refer to the Sierra Leone Police for investigations, and possible criminal prosecution:- (a) the offence of murder; (b) the offence of treason; (c) the offence of rape, defilement, indecent assault or any other sexual offence; (d) felonies related to the serious damage to property, injury to the person, and other serious crimes that may from time to time be specified in the Gazette by the Minister responsible for justice; (2) In determining any matter, a child welfare committee shall issue advice or instruction to any of the parties involved or to any other person. (3) For the avoidance of doubt, a child welfare committee shall have no power to punish, imprison, impose a fine, order damages, or any other sanctions.