Sexual Violence in Schools: Education Sector in the Dock

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.

From Vihiga to Mombasa, the Education Sector was criticised for doing too little in SGBV prevention and response.  In Vihiga, SGBV stakeholders were agitated when a representative from the Ministry of Education tried to defend their position and policy. It was made clear that the Ministry has no mandate to work as the police. She was reminded that sexual violence is a criminal offence and whenever an allegation of that nature is made, the police should be called in for expeditious investigations. Participants of the FGD accused the Ministry and its Unions of covering sexual violence cases involving their teachers.  Participants said it was wrong for the Ministry of Education to only work with its internal structures. In fact, they quoted a case of a teacher who had been transferred from another school on allegations of sodomising boys only to land in Chavakali and continue with the vice.

 In a meeting with a Mombasa Education Officer, it was clear that no reporting of SGBV is ever made. The Education Officer even related a case of a primary school boy (Class 5) who got expelled after the school management learnt that he was defiling other boys in class. By the time the issue came to the fore, the boy had molested 15 younger boys in school. The Ministry took no action against the boy for defiling other children.

In some instances, the offending teachers are said to collude with parents in order to defeat cases of sexual violence. In Eldoret, stakeholders narrated cases of teachers taking Mwalimu SACCO loans to pay off parents of a child in a sexual abuse case. Some even get off the hook on pretence that the teacher had arranged to marry the girl. Lecturers were not spared either. Institutions of higher learning were also accused of taking advantage of girls through coercion.

The fact is that the Ministry of Education has a humongous task in SGBV prevention and response. For starters, parents have entrusted their children to teachers and school managements for education, care and protection. Keeping in mind that everything possible should be done to protect child rights (for the good of the child), children should be educated (sensitised) on sexual and gender based violence for purposes of prevention and response.  In the unfortunate event that a sexual violence should happen, the affected child must be provided sufficient psychosocial support, helped to access immediate healthcare services to prevent pregnancy (in case of a girl) and STIs/HIV. Of great import is that the matter should be treated with utmost confidentiality to guard against stigma and discrimination.

The Education Sector should report all cases of sexual violence both to police and within their internal structures; ensure access to medical services within 72 hours (3days) after the incident; secure scene of crime; allow for full investigations including visiting scene of crime and recording key witness statements.  The Guidance and Counselling teachers within the institution are responsible for providing counselling services to the affected.

Interdicting and transferring sex offenders within the teaching fraternity defeats justice.