Girl-child defilement” Does the cultural practice determine the crime in the 21st century – a study of semirural Kenya, Rongo sub-county

Abstract

Girl-child defilement is a specific form of child sex abuse occurring in many communities around the world. Girls are vulnerable defilement because of their inability to physically resist the male perpetrators and to make decisions which relate to sex. The study was guided by the Feminist Theory of Criminology and the Integrated Theory of Sexual offences. Heads of households with girls below the age of eighteen were targeted for the study, and the sample size was 245 households. Data was collected by the use of questionnaires, interview schedules and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) v.19, and was presented using bar graphs, pie charts and tables. This study found that the customary practice of physical sexual maturity as an indicator of readiness for marriage was not supported by 85.46% of respondents and 89.87% stated that the age at first sexual intercourse should be above eighteen years. The value of virginity and the practice of early marriage was not supported by 89.87% and 81.94% of respondents respectively. 92.07% of respondents did not support beliefs regarding male sexuality as having influence on girl child defilement. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between the level of education and awareness of girl-child defilement and the Cramer’s V test indicated a moderately strong association. The test also found a significant relationship between the area of residence and awareness of girl-child defilement, though the Cramer’s V test indicated a weak association. This paper concludes that girl-child defilement is not determined by culture. Based on the findings of this study the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection should review existing policies on the socio-economic development of rural households. The Ministry of Education should develop policies to continuously sensitize communities on girl-child defilement.