(Photos: www.herwigphoto.com) In Liberia's brutal 14-year civil war, rape was used as freely as guns to devastate people's lives. When peace was signed in 2003, optimism flooded the country. Women especially welcomed the arrival of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's - and Africa's - first elected female head of state. Yet despite her efforts, sexual violence continues. Merlin has trained staff working in clinics and hospitals in sexual and gender-based violence. We ensure women are given appropriate counselling, medical help and surgery. We're working with communities so everyone understands that rape and abuse are simply not acceptable. And we're lobbying at the highest level to ensure those guilty of sexual violence are brought to justice.