Reports of rape and sexual assault in Kenyan schools are becoming rampant. Recently, some school authorities have been alleged to cover up such cases, dealing with them internally. Many are not convinced because these perpetrators continue to hold tenures in these schools.
Recent Incidents
Former students at the Alliance Girls High School held a protest at the school. Their unrest hangs around a male teacher who has been sexually assaulting girls throughout his tenure. This has drawn significant public attention and highlights the challenges victims face in seeking justice.
Another case was at Our Lady of Mercy Girls Secondary School, Shauri Moyo. Here a watchman was on the hunt for raping a student on school grounds.
In response to these incidents, many individuals have come out online to expose abusers from their former high schools. Organizations dealing with women’s rights and protection such as USIKIMYE have also used their platforms to increase awareness of these crimes.
According to UNICEF, 1 in 8 women globally have been subjected to sexual assault or rape as children. Sub-Saharan Africa, unfortunately, leads in the number of child victims.
Understanding the Scope of Sexual Abuse
There are non-contact forms of sexual abuse which are as equally harmful. Sexual abuse is not just physical, it can also be inform of:
- Sharing inappropriate photos without consent.
- Online abuse involving grooming, cyberbullying with a sexual nature, or the sharing of explicit intimate content.
- Verbal sexual abuse in form of sexually suggestive comments, threats, or harassment.
- Upskirting, which involves taking a photograph or video underneath a person’s skirt or dress without their consent, is also a sexual offense.
Sexual activity with intoxicated (by drugs or alcohol) individuals can result to rape or sexual assault. This is because they cannot give clear consent.
With increasing femicide cases, women in Kenya live in constant fear for their lives. It is unconscionable that children and teenagers should face these heinous abuses in places where they are primarily considered safe havens for learning and development.
Call for action
Stricter enforcement of laws which will ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and receive appropriate punishment should be implemented.
Increasing awareness by educating students, parents, and school staff about different forms of sexual abuse, consent, and how to report incidents should be prioritized.
Non-negotiable psychological, medical, and legal support for victims of sexual assault should be provided.
Children and teens should be protected from sexual offenders and their rights should not be violated.
Author: Nicole Kaggia is a writer and freelance journalist who is passionate about women and children rights.
