If you pay close attention to the news on mainstream media outlets, you will notice that a defilement case or two is always in the lineup. It’s a tragic reality that every Kenyan is forced to live with; the insecurity our children have to grow up in and the fear that the next news expose could be on your own. The rising spate of incest and defilement of children has raised alarm among authorities and children’s rights activists.
The fact that most children are sexually molested at homes, schools and on their way to or from schools, and by people close to them in a breach of the trust the children have for the perpetrators is very alarming and worrying.
Children are easy victims of defilement because they are weak in physical stature and mental capabilities and mostly dependent on others, who sometimes turn out to be paedophiles.
Most child sex predators are fathers, uncles, cousins, grandfathers and teachers. Sexual molesters outside of family ranks include domestic workers, neighbours, boda boda operators, drivers and school workers.
However, only a fraction of defilement cases is reported. Most children suffer in silence, and only report to teachers when pestered after the teachers notice changes in character or signs of physical pains. This silence can be attributed to society’s failure to recognise that children need to be listened to.
Children don’t know what to do with sex predators, including reporting them, because they are not well equipped to overcome fear of consequences and report defilement, and they don’t know who to report to, and have nowhere to run. In most circumstances when sexual violence hits, children choose to keep quiet.
Ledisha Kittony , a family advocate dealing in women and children issues based in Eldoret, spoke up after one of the most recent cases involving a father and two of his four daughters aged 9 and 6. She highlights breakdown of families and erosion of societal values is largely to blame for the escalating cases of sexual violence against children.
“Children became an easy prey for the sexual perverts because in most cases those who are expected to protect turn against them. Concerted efforts should be put in place to stem the vice,” she said. She also notes that the fight against sexual abuse cannot be won if there is still abject poverty and irresponsible drinking in the society saying an empty mind is the devils workshop.