Gender based violence (GBV) is violence that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender. GBV usually involves physical, sexual or psychological harm of suffering to the targeted individuals or groups. It also includes threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
For many young people, sex is not a choice. Rape is defined by the Kenyan law as having sex with a person without their consent or with consent obtained under threat, force, intimidation, fear of bodily harm, or misrepresentation. Defilement is an act which causes Sexual and Reproductive Health Training Module for Youth Empowerment Platforms in Kenya 56 56 penetration of a child’s genital organs (in Kenya, a child is any one below the age of 18 years) even with his or her permission. Date or acquaintance rape refers to rape that occurs between individuals who are dating or who know each other. Sexual violence includes the use of sexual contact by one person to another against his or her will. It can result in serious physical injuries, profound psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancy and infection with STI including HIV.
Some adolescents are forced to have sexual relations, feel pressured to have sex in exchange for good grades or pocket money, are assaulted if they refuse to have sex or sell sex in order to survive. Every young person should know that his or her sexual organs are private and personal property. Nobody should touch them without permission.
Some victims of sexual abuse are assaulted by family members or acquaintances. Often young children are the victims of incest (a young person may be forced to touch, kiss or feel the sex organs, or have actual sexual intercourse with a relative). Because of the older person’s position in the family, he or she may be able to pressure the child into doing sexual things without actually having to use force. These crimes, including rape, are the fault of the perpetrator or older person and not the fault of the victim or child.
For girls and women, the short-and long-term consequences of sexual violence can be physically and emotionally damaging. Because of the sexual nature of rape crimes, victims often suffer from serious mental issues. If someone is raped and reports it to you, you should encourage them to go to a hospital or health centre. At the hospital they will have a medical evaluation and attention to any injuries, counselling support for the survivor and her family, and treatment to prevent infection with HIV, pregnancy and other sexually transmitted infections. Referrals to other services may be required.
Note: If a young person has been raped, it is important that he or she receives medical attention as soon as possible. Emergency Contraceptives (EC) can prevent pregnancy within 120 hours (5 days) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can prevent HIV infection if administration begins with 72 hours of exposure. PEP is the administration of one or a combination of anti-retroviral drugs for 28 days after exposure HIV.