By Nicole Wangui.
Let’s face it. Despite parents living in denial, family members caught in endless debates as to who is best placed to counsel the young ones, conservative voices loudly opposing the right for children to be taught sexual and reproductive health education, children are having sex. That is a plain fact.
Data from our prisons show that sexual offences currently occupy an inordinate proportion of both convicted and remanded inmates; majority of who happen to be of male gender and who also fall under the children and youth brackets.
Jack*, a 13-year-old grade 7 student at a local school in Ngong, was relaxing alone at home, when a classmate from another school, Anne*, visited late evening. Thinking that it was a normal and short visit, Jack engaged his classmate in banter about school and class work but was taken aback when he asked her to leave as it was getting late and she refused.
“I want to spend the night with you and get intimate” – Anne bluntly told shocked and bewildered Jack. Having undergone our weekly community mentorship in the Crime Si Poa kids club where he learned about boundaries, healthy relationships, and reporting pathways in cases of defilement, he tried to convince her that it was not appropriate for them to sleep together or even have sex, but she was adamant.
Knowing so well that sexual and gender-based violence was punishable by law, he chose not to force her out or assault her in any way. He excused himself to “bring some food” from the main house but instead used the chance to immediately reach out to Ebby, a dedicated CSP volunteer who oversees Crime Si Poa activities in the Ngong area.
Ebby responded swiftly and found that indeed the girl was at Jack’s place. Being a Child Protection Officer, she was able to make the girl comfortable, calmly intervene and counsel both children. It was at this moment that Anne broke down in sobs and explained that the reason she wanted to be with Jack was because her mother physically abused her and denied her food.
“I took Anne back to her home and counselled the mother on how to handle a teenage girl. The mother shared with me how she was struggling to raise her children as a single mum but undertook to be more responsible and engaging with Anne hence”, Ebby says.
“Crime Si Poa is at the forefront of promoting child protection in communities, schools and penal institutions and I was so proud of Jack for being courageous and standing true to his principles and what he had learnt in our sessions” an obviously happy mentor Ebby says.
By raising awareness, providing training on rights and safety, and establishing child-friendly spaces and support systems we focus on helping young people understand dangers of unhealthy relationships, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, and sexual offences.
Crime Si Poa calls on parents and community members to be at the forefront of educating children on matters of sexuality and healthy relationships. Children need love, guidance and protection, not condemnation and abuse.
*Names of the children have been changed to protect their identities.