Over the past few years, sexual violence against children has escalated at a high rate.

It is now prevalent not only in Kenya but across the globe.

The lives of children are in dire straits since perpetrators lurk every corner.

They have become more vulnerable to sexual predators because of their low cognitive abilities.

Perpetrators have willfully trodden their constitutional rights by launching sexual violence on them.

Relatives and friends mostly, in this case, are offenders.

World Health Organization defines child sexual abuse as the involvement of a child in sexual activity which he or she doesn’t fully comprehend, is unable to consent to or is not developmentally prepared for.

This indicates that because of their less witty nature, children are prone to any form of sexual abuse.

Either unwanted sexual touching, intimate referencing or unwanted remarks on someone’s body. Additionally, rape, molestation and incest are different occurrences of child sexual abuse.

This has made the sexual health of children a major global health concern.

Those inhumane individuals have failed to respect children rights and show them, mutual love.

We have witnessed innocent children dying because of being assaulted sexually.

Globally, child sexual abuse is estimated at 15-20 per cent for girls and eight per cent for boys.

Knowledge depicts that the girl child has even become more vulnerable to sexual predators as compared to the boy child. Though both are victims.

A 2010 national survey on Violence Against Children in Kenya reported that 23 per cent of the girls and 12 per cent of the boys aged between 13 and 17 had experienced some form of sexual abuse (unwanted sexual touching, unwanted attempted sex and physically forced sex).

Of individuals aged 18-24 years who were interviewed, 32 per cent of women and 18 per cent of men agreed to have experienced some form of child sexual abuse before 18 years.

In Kenya, child sexual abuse is believed to be influenced by developmental issues, economic, social and gender inequalities.

They include poverty, drug and substance abuse, peer pressure, social media influence, huge gender disparities and a culture of silence on sexual matters.

The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified sexual violence against children. There were many restrictions implemented to curb infections of the virus.

Despite existence of policies and laws to protect minors from sexual violence, there are still more gaps to be filled.

It has become difficult to implement those laws and policies.

Identified reasons are legal illiteracy, cultural beliefs, poor knowledge, inadequate financial and human resources, legal pluralism, competence of service providers, poor monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Many cases of child sexual abuse have now gone unreported. Those living in highly rural areas have been affected much due to high levels of insecurities.

It is a call for action now if we are to end child sexual abuse. Although the laws and policies that exists are generally protective, implementation is poor.

The government needs to increase its legal aid budget and invest more in mental health services.

The authorities need to recruit and train judicial, police and medical officers on appropriate care of survivors.

Parents or guardians should take time to monitor them.

National Council for Children Services and the Department of Children Services should continue working in unity with the community and civil society to help in responding to cases of child abuse and maltreatment well.

Let’s love our children and fight for their rights. By doing that, we make their future bright.

Communication and media student at Rongo University.

MAXWELL KAMAU