Assessing the Effects of Kenya Legal Provisions on Investigations of Child Sexual Abuse Cases within Kwale County
Author(s)
Mwanasha Ali Vihaka , Dr. Ruth Joyce Kaguta , Prof. Matthew M. Theuri ,
Download Full PDF Pages: 37-44 | Views: 197 | Downloads: 55 | DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7225108
Volume 11 - September 2022 (09)
Abstract
the paper is extracted from a study that sought to analyze the barriers to investigating child sexual abuse cases by police officers in Kwale County, Kenya. The study was informed by Scientific Management Theory and Structural Functionalism Theory. The study utilized descriptive research design. A sample size of 120 officers was drawn from a target population of 361 within Kwale County. The study utilized purposive sampling then simple random sampling from each cluster. The study used the questionnaire method as an instrument to collect data which consisted of questions items formed from the research objectives, questions, and hypotheses. The study used qualitative and quantitative data analysis technique. T-test was conducted to determine the significance levels of variables. A majority (70.6%) of the respondents agreed that legal provisions affect investigation of Child Sexual Abuse within the County with the Children’s Act, Sexual Offences Act, Constitution of Kenya, and law on enforceability of children’s rights indicating very significant levels(t=2.775,p=0.005, t=3.118,p=0.003, t=2.903,p=0.006, t=3.663,p=0.002). The study recommends that lawmakers should come up with laws not only in papers but effective and updated enough to curb the vice.
Keywords
legal provisions, investigations, child sexual abuse
References
i. Brienen, Marion, Ernestine Hoegen (2012). Victims of Crime in 22 European Criminal Justice Systems: The Implementation of Recommendation (85) 11 of the Council of Europe on the Position of the Victim ..., Amsterdam: Wolf Legal.
ii. Du Mont J, White D. The uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in sexual assault cases: A global review. Geneva: 2007.
iii. Government of Kenya (2018). Quarterly Nominal roll Report, Kwale Police County
iv. Khamala C.W, Yegon, G, Sundby, J & Prince, R.J. (2019). Sexualised Violence Against Children: a Review of Laws and Policies in Kenya.
v. Kaur S., Kaur S., Rawa T.(2021), medico-legal evidence collection in child sexual assault cases; a forensic significance. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Science.
vi. Lalore, K. (2004). Child Sexual Abuse in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review. Child Abuse & Neglect, 28, 439-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2003.07.005
vii. Ministry of Education (2008). School Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya. Government Printing Press. Nairobi
viii. Morrison, P. (2014), “Sexual Crimes” Crime Counts: A Criminal Event Analysis. Eds. L.W. Kennedy and V.F. Sacco. Scarborough: Nelson Canada.
ix. Morrison, P., Ogrodnik, L (2014), “Sexual crimes.” Canadian Social Trends 34 (Autumn), Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
x. Mugenda, O .M & A.G Mugenda, (2003) Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches: Nairobi: Acts Press.
xi. Mwangi I., (2016), Realization of Childrens Rights: evidence from Kenya Childrens Act No.8 (2001). Nairobi. Save the Children.
xii. Ndungu R., Thaimuta Z., Kariuki J.,Thaimuta Z.,(2019) Challenges in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences in relation to forensic medical evidence. Nairobi. East African Journal of Statistics.
xiii. Republic of Kenya (2010). National Report on Periodic Review on Children’s Rights.
xiv. Republic of Kenya (2001). Children’s Act. Government printers press. Nairobi
xv. Republic of Kenya (2010). The Constitution of Kenya. Government printers press. Nairobi
xvi. Republic of Kenya (2007). The Employment Act. Government printers press. Nairobi
xvii. Republic of Kenya (2014). The Law of Evidence Act. Government printers press. Nairobi
xviii. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), (2008). Child Friendly Schools Manual.
xix. World Health Organization (2012) World Report on Violence and Health, Geneva: Violence and Injuries Prevention
Cite this Article: