- Ondieki said survivors fear reporting abuse because of threats and intimidation from the family and society.
- She said, however, that such information is treated with utmost secrecy but was quick to add that such cases need legal redress for justice to be served.
Image: ALVIN RATEMO
Nyamira health workers have started a campaign among key populations on the importance of reporting sexual and gender-based violence.
County HIV-Aids and STI coordinator Irene Omwenga said most people who have been sexually abused report too late for effective administration of disease prevention measures.
This leaves key populations endangered, she said.
“We receive many clients in our health facilities who have been sexually molested but very few report within the recommended 72 hours, leaving those abused traumatised, infected with sexually transmitted ailments and worse, some are left with a lifetime costly scar for they get infected with HIV-Aids,” Omwenga said.
“Since January this year, 154 clients have reported in our health facilities to have been sexually abused but only 55 reported within the recommended 72 hours.
"Other disturbing statistics is that only 26 per cent of those initiated on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to cushion them from contracting HIV infection complete their dosage," she said.
"We introduce PreP because these clients are at risk due to their exposure to contracting HIV through sex or injection of drugs. Unfortunately, during this period three clients seroconverted [transition from infection with HIV to the detectable presence of HIV antibodies in the blood] and two tested positive for pregnancy.".
Omwenga said it was against this backdrop that they had embarked on a rigorous sensitisation programme.
County coordinator for health promotion Jackline Ondieki said survivors fear reporting abuse because of threats and intimidation from the family and society.
She said, however, that such information is treated with utmost secrecy but was quick to add that such cases need legal redress for justice to be served.
“The county's key population, which mostly comprises youths and young adults, is at risk of sexual violence and abuse and needs to be sensitised on how to prevent sexual abuse," Ondieki said.
"In case it happens, there is a timely correct procedure to be followed when seeking intervention. The sensitisation programme will target them.”
Ondieki further said they will scale up contact tracing for clients introduced to PrEP to ensure they complete their dosage.
She urged survivors not to fear reporting SGBV because they need urgent treatment, trauma counselling and legal redress, all of which is their right.
Parents and caregivers should discuss with adolescents and young adults and provide relevant platforms where they can freely discuss with peer counsellors and religious leaders to reduce cases of SGBV, Ondieki added.
Nyamira is ranked among the counties with the highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence in families, according to the national Dialogue Reference Group.
Majority of the cases are not reported.