| dc.description.abstract | Public authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals have come up with efforts to address and eradicate sexual violence against girls. Such efforts have failed to achieve the objectives due to concerned stakeholders' lack of adequate knowledge on child defilement. The main aim of this study was to examine community response to girl child defilement in Ainabkoi Sub-County. The study's specific objectives were: to establish the magnitude of girl child defilement; to assess the level of knowledge of the residents on girl child defilement; to establish predisposing factors to girl child defilement, and evaluate community-based interventions available on girl child defilement in Ainabkoi Sub-County. The study was guided by rational choice theory. A descriptive survey design was used in this study. The target population for this study was 34892 households. The study used Krejcie and Morgan formula to obtain a sample of 380 household heads. Further, 9 chiefs, 9 social workers, 27 secondary school principals, 33 primary school head teachers, and 32 church leaders were included in the study. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select participants for the study. Questionnaires and key informant interview guides were used in collecting data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, whereby percentages and frequencies were obtained and presented in tables and graphs. Qualitative data obtained on specific open-ended questions were analyzed thematically and triangulated within quantitative data. The researcher ensured confidentiality and non-disclosure of respondents to ensure research ethics are adhered to. The study findings revealed that 90 (27.7%) of the respondents had witnessed cases of defilement many times. The study results revealed that there was statistically significant association between residence knowledge and defilement cases χ2 (1, N = 262) = 7.344, p =.007. The study findings revealed that cultural practices χ2 (1, N = 262) = 6.087, p =.014, media exposures χ2 (1, N = 262) = 4.465, p =.035, poor parenting χ2 (1, N = 262) = 5.954, p =.015 and poverty χ2 (1, N = 262) = 5.041, p =.025 are associated with defilement cases. Action taken by community on known defilers are statistically significant associated with defilement cases χ2 (1, N = 262) = 10.539, p =.015. The study concluded that the area had witnessed a few cases of defilement by a random adult male on the road. The residents of the area had no knowledge of the offender of girl child defilement in the area since they never discuss girl child defilements at chief barazas, churches, radios, family get together, or funerals. The study recommended that everyone in the community is encouraged to get involved with other parents to help vulnerable children and their families. | en_US |
