Responses to sexual violence against minors, Western Kenya (completed)

The project entails a qualitative study of responses by responsible institutions to sexual violence directed against minors of Homa Bay County in Kenya. It aims to provide a better understanding of factors influencing sexual violence against minors. In addition, the project will investigate institutional and structural responses to sexual violence perpetration and propose prevention measures.

About the project

The research topic: responses to sexual violence against minors, addresses sexual reproductive health challenges facing both children and adolescents. Sexual violence is an under researched area in Sub Sahara Africa and therefore the research findings will contribute to new knowledge in provision of a better understanding of factors influencing sexual violence against minors in Kenya. Moreover an investigation of structural/ institutional responses to sexual violence will provide a basis for proposition of measures that will prevent sexual violence against minors in Kenya and similar contexts.

Objectives

  1. To provide a better understanding of individual factors, social factors (including gender relations and family relations), community and societal factors influencing sexual violence against minors.
  2. To investigate existing institutional and structural responses to sexual violence perpetration against minors.
  3. To propose measures for prevention of sexual violence against minors supported by evidence based research.
  4. To identify strategies which facilitate stakeholder partnerships for purposes of promoting a multisectoral approach towards prevention of sexual violence against minors.

Background

The research will borrow concepts from the ecological model for purposes of understanding violence in order to address the objectives of the study. Developed initially by Bronfenbrenner (1979), the model aids in the understanding of factors influencing sexual violence against minors. These factors are organized into four levels: individual, relationship, community and societal with emphasis on understanding of the complex interplay of biological, relationship, community and societal factors that protect minors from sexual violence or increase their likelihood of experiencing it forming a basis for evidence based interventions.

The researcher will use a qualitative design with triangulation of data collection methods: document reviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), in depth interviews and a collection of case studies.

Financing

  • The Research Council of Norway

Cooperation

  • African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
  • Maseno University

Start - finish

August 2015- August 2018

 

Tags: Global South
Published June 19, 2015 1:41 PM - Last modified Aug. 23, 2019 12:12 PM

Contact

Project leader Ruth Jane Prince