Defiled and sodomized children fill up Safe houses in Eldoret, cases escalate
UNICEF Spot it stop it sexual abuse girl/Photo UNICEF Kenya
By James Gitaka
Over 50 children who have been defiled and sodomized are receiving help at a temporary safe house in Eldoret, as more of such cases continue to raise in Uasin Gishu County .
Most of the affected children are said to belong to mothers who are working in countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia living their children behind under the care of relatives who are the greatest perpetrators of sexual violence against children.
The Gender Mobilization and Response center a safe house in the outskirts of Eldoret town has indicated that Sexual workers also leave their children behind making them vulnerable to sexual abuse,
“We have noted that many children left under the care of relatives by women who have either traveled abroad for greener pastures are the most abused sexually , as well as children whose parents are sexual workers and who at times are forced to travel long distances such as Busia and in Uganda ,”Said Grace kuria a manager at G-Marc.
Margaret Alegwa the Director of the response center a women organization notes that the safe house has a capacity of 22 children many of victims are young boys and girls between the ages 2 -17 years,
“Most of cases are referred to us by the directorate of children’s department , the police and the Moi Teaching and referral hospital , we take them through post trauma counseling , we take them to MTRH care section where they are also monitored, “Said Alegwa
The Gender Mobilization and Response center also executes cases at the Eldoret Court on behalf of the Children just to ensure that justice is administered,
“Cases that we receive must be reported and thus we ensure that we take them to court either as witnesses or for the hearing of their cases and currently we have five active cases in court”
As we mark the 16 days of Activism against gender based violence we urge parents to be vigilant and ensure the safety of their children especially during this long holidays she added.
Child Sexual Abuse is a growing, serious social problem in the Kenyan Society. It’s estimated that 67% to 73% of the children are abused sexually either by unknown or known persons.
Every year 300,000 children are sexually exploited for commercial gains in Kenya.
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There is need of sensitization coz there are more there who cannot access service or even reports any because of sigma associated with the act, fear of unknown since the perpetrator is at large.
Thanks to the Director/manager of the institution for sheltering them. Also to the editor.
The institution needs a helping hand