Shine A Light on Child Abuse in Kenya

Jacky called the Helpline from one of the sub counties in Nairobi County to report that her neighbor had been mistreating two boys, aged 4 and 6 years respectively, living with her. Jacky suspects that the boys are her neighbour’s nephews from her deceased sister.

The boys are beaten repeatedly leaving marks on their bodies and also go without food on several occasions. It is not clear what would trigger these bouts of anger. This issue had been of great concern to the neighbors who had tried intervening by talking to the lady in question against the behavior unsuccessfully. Jacky opted to post video clips and pictures of the boys being abused on her Facebook page to seek help from the public in the hope that the boys could be assisted and rescued. Indeed the members of the public assisted by linking Jacky with Childline Kenya which manages the National Child Helpline service on behalf of the Government. The service is accessible by dialing 116 for free from any telephone network in Kenya. The Helpline team promptly contacted the area children officer nearest to the children to plan for their rescue. It took several days to mobilize resources in terms of rescue vehicle, putting together the rescue team and securing accommodation at a safe shelter where the children would be placed. The children were finally rescued and the perpetrator arrested. The case is proceeding in court.

Meanwhile the children are undergoing therapy at the safe shelter on their way to recovery as they await the outcome of the case in court.

The helpline continues to face challenges in terms of resources including a vehicle or ambulance that can be used for timely rescue of children like these who are in dire need. Funds are also required to facilitate removal of such children from abusive and potentially abusive situations and to provide them with basic necessities including medication, clothing and safe shelter.

Your Kind donation helped rescue 1397 such children in 2017 and 2018. Feel free to contribute more and to also share with family and friends to join this worthy cause.

The project is going on very well. We continue to learn how to engage more donors and we have in the process been able to increase the donations. We look forward to a great future in resource mobilization.

In the last quarter, Childline Kenya was able to provide direct services to more than 320 children through the work of the Helpline service with support from its GlobalGiving donors and other partners. The children were survivors of sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse in various forms. They are all now safe from immediate danger. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the children that needed longer term medication continue to receive the same and the cases that were taken to court are facilitated to conclude in the shortest time possible in the best interest of the child. Ongoing counseling for children and their families is also provided as necessary.

• From_Hopelessness_to_HopeDianes_case.docx (DOCX)