A qualitative study exploring the untold local narratives: Gatekeepers’ perspectives on child polyvictimization in Mageta island of western Kenya

Background

Child abuse is a global menace. Violence against children is a serious and pervasive public health, development, and human rights issue affecting an estimated one billion children aged 2–17 each year. Studies usually focus on single forms of violence and one single type of location or perpetrator. Although there exists empirical work addressing the consequences and impact of specific forms of childhood victimization (such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse), researchers increasingly recognize the prevalence of polyvictimization or exposure to multiple types of victimization. However, there is paucity of information on local descriptions and perspectives of polyvictimization especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the islands.

Objective

This study explored the local perspectives of polyvictimization based on local narratives of untold stories. Some narratives appeared normal to the locals, though they formed part of polyvictimization.

Participants

and setting: The study was conducted in Mageta Island, western Kenya. Participants were key community gatekeepers selected purposively. They included: one chief, three community health promoters, two police officers, and four beach leaders on the island.

Methods

The study was qualitative in nature and adopted a cross-sectional design. In-depth interviews and informal conversations were utilized to capture the narratives.

Results

Through the gatekeepers' narratives, this study shows that there exists polyvictimization on the Island. In the Island, polyvictimization is presented in various forms: it is unknowingly committed by the perpetrators, there exists transgenerationality of violence, where when children are abused, and they tend to carry the behaviour to adulthood. Polyvictimization is also presented through the socio-economic determinants of violence. Narratives of engaging children in economic activities such as fishing and other forms of child labour were mentioned as some of the determinants. Additionally, figures of child violence and lack of disclosure also emerged as narratives for polyvictimization on the Island.

Conclusion

Multiple child abuse cases are still rampant in Mageta Island. Some of the abuses are due to a lack of knowledge of the repercussions of such abuse on children. Though there has been local sensitization through the office of the chief, there is a need for more grassroots sensitization through the community gatekeepers and other actors interested in children's rights. Such sensitizations should target parents and guardians to minimize more cases of polyvictimization on the island. Moreover, a multi-agency approach could be appropriate in sensitizing the communities on the island.