It is
common knowledge that many sexual violence cases never get reported or at least
on time. That can be said with certainty given that some cases come to light
when consequences bear out. For example, a case of defilement is reported only
when a girl falls pregnant or when other symptoms manifest such as a sexually
transmitted infection or when a sodomised young boy starts walking with
difficulty. It is important to add that defilements (of especially girls but
also boys) top the list of reported sexual violence in Kenya with an average of
60 per cent of all reported cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (Health
and Police reports). 80 percent of the 609 cases reported at the Gender Based
Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) based at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa
last year (2012) were defilements. Of these, 20 percent were those of boys
(sodomy).
A recent rapid assessment involving stakeholders in Sexual
and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response revealed that most
sexual violence cases happen within the confines of homes and schools. A doctor
participating in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was categorical about living
with extend families, her message was “Kikulacho
ki nguoni mwako!” - a warning to parents to be careful about hosting relatives.
