This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Published on September 24, 2019, a non-governmental organization in Kenya has sounded the alarm over the increasing cases of sexual abuse against women and girls with intellectual disability.
The Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) has decried the continued silence in the country regarding violence and sexual abuse against this vulnerable group.
According to COVAW Executive Director Wairimu Wahome, persons with intellectual disability are often overlooked due to their smaller numbers within the broader spectrum of people with physical disabilities.
Ms. Wahome pointed out that these cases are often underreported due to cultural connotations surrounding disability in Kenya, which can lead to stigma, isolation, and ostracization.
"Their inability to communicate coherently exposes them to abuse," Ms. Wahome said. "Abusers are often close family members, neighbors, or teachers who know and have grown up with the victims."
Intellectually disabled individuals face significant challenges in communicating their experiences, making it difficult to collect evidence and often leading to cases being reported only after the victim is pregnant.
COVAW is currently handling 11 cases, with four active in court, but the justice system is slow, taking an average of four years to resolve these complex cases.
Ms. Wahome emphasized the need for witness protection, translation services, and psychosocial support for survivors and their guardians during the court process.
She also highlighted the lack of facilities and resources in institutions to understand and respond to the needs of intellectually disabled individuals, including translation and psychosocial support in schools and public health facilities.
COVAW has initiated a baseline survey to establish the number of intellectually challenged people in the country, currently ongoing in Nairobi, Narok, and Kiambu Counties.
