Sexual assault against boys and young men is happening in Kenya. The bad news is; it is on the rise and underreported due to cultural norms and societal biases that paints boys as either strong enough to protect themselves or they are potential perpetrators who don’t deserve care, help and protection. Here’s what Lifesong Kenya is doing about sexual assault against boys.
Key points
- Sexual exploitation, abuse and harrasment against boys is undereported due to cultural norms, bias and stigma
- Over 200 boys were sexually abused in Nairobi in 2022 with 121 of them being under 11 years while 87 were between 12-17
- Lifesong Kenya runs a halfway house that prvodes shelter, care and protection to male survivors of sexual abuse
According to a Kenya Health Information System report, over 200 boys in Nairobi experienced the horrific reality of sexual assault in 2022. 121 of them were boys under the age of 11, while 87 were aged between 11 and 17. These were vulnerable children whose innocence was stolen, leaving their dreams and lives shattered.
As alarming as these statistics are, unfortunately this is only a scratch on the surface of a deeply entrenched issue. Despite rising cases of sexual assault against boys, there is a deafening silence surrounding the issue that leads to lack of reporting. The underreporting of sexual assault against boys is driven by damaging cultural narratives that equate masculinity with invulnerability or falsely cast boys as potential perpetrators, leaves countless young lives shrouded in silence and suffering.
What Lifesong Kenya is doing about sexual assault against boys
At Lifesong Kenya, these statistics are not just abstract figures in a report. Since 2021, our Halfway House in Ngong has been providing a safe space and transitional housing to boys who have experienced sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
During their stay with us, the boys receive support through safe housing, meals, medical care, skills development, education and psychosocial support. As a result, we interact daily with boys who are behind these numbers – boys who have been impacted by the vicious and traumatic cycle of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. We interact with boys who have names, unique personalities, dreams and desires.
By sheltering boys who have experienced sexual assault, we get to witness, firsthand, how their lives and dreams have been brutally shattered by the brutal violence they have endured. For many, the visible and invisible scars will be lifelong, negatively impacting more children and adults in the future.
I am very grateful to Lifesong for providing me a safe place to sleep, food to eat and taking me back to school. Before I came here, I used to liveon the streets where I got sexually abused. May God you and all those people who support us,” Dye
Our halfway house is a safe refuge
The work we do at our halfway house is a crucial lifeline for these vulnerable boys. Take Dye for instance, a young man who arrived at our halfway house aged 13 years old. When he arrived, he felt helpless, hopeless, looked scared and did not trust any adult male. With time, we learned that not only had he been on the run, he also had a sexual transmitted infections that needed urgent treatment. Lastly, he had also dropped out of school and faced the risk of missing out on school.
Luckily for him, a policewoman who is experienced in handling gender-based violence rescued and brought him to our halfway house. Dye (not his real name) was rescued by neighbours who heard him scream for help after a perpetrator locked him up. When the perpetrator came back, he found police officers waiting for him.
By staying at our halfway house, our team was able to provide the intervention that Dye and other victims of sexual assault against boys need. In addition to being taken back to school, medication and having a place to call home, our team transported Dye, to and from court, during court proceedings. This enabled Dye to provide a testimony that resulted in the court convicting the perpetrators of past sexual assault crimes he had committed against, not only Dye but another boy in the past.
There are other numerous boys who have benefited and found a safe refuge at our halfway house. However, the constant battle to secure the necessary resources and funding to provide comprehensive care, support, and healing takes a significant emotional toll. There are moments where the enormity of the need and the scarcity of resources and funding feels overwhelming. However, amidst our ongoing struggles with finding resources, there is an unwavering source of hope and fulfillment.
Final thoughts
Our Halfway House is much more than just a building. It is a safe sanctuary of refuge where boys who have experienced unimaginable stigma and trauma can find safety, healing, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
To witness their resilience, to see the first glimmers of hope return to their eyes, to know that we have created a space where they are seen, believed, supported, and empowered – this is the profound joy that fuels our dedication.
Our halfway house stands as a testament to the possibility of restoration, a beacon of light in the darkness, and a constant reminder of why we must continue to fight for every single boy whose life has been impacted by sexual violence. Of course, we can’t do this alone. We would like to invite you to join our growing community of supporters who contribute and ensure that the doors of our halfway house remains open for more boys who are escaping sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Learn more about you can get involved here. If this resonates with your heart’s longing, then click here to give any amount of your choice. You can also give once or give on a monthly basis. Your donations will provide the critical and essential support that boys need to overcome stigma and trauma. We are fundraising to support the operations of our halfway house and need your support.
To donate use: Safaricom Paybill: 574329. Account: House
You can also use: GlobalGiving – https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/housing-for-boys-facing-trauma-and-stigma/
