“Rape! What to Do In the Event”
Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including any completed or attempted unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal penetration through the use of physical force (such as being pinned or held down, or by the use of violence) or threats to physically harm (such as killing the victim). It is a crime of power and passion, where, anger, frustration, conquest, sadism and many others are expressed often to survivors/victims within their very vulnerable moments.
Types of rapes are many ranging from acquaintance (close ally); date (a romantic or potentially expected sexual relations); gray (consent is unclear); marital(spouse); statutory (age is below accepted); prison( fellow prisoners/wardens); gang (group); serial( multiple offender); campus (students; Corrective rape/ curative/ homophobic (hate due to perceived sexual orientation or gender identity); genocidal( massive during war); Unacknowledged (survivor/victim does not acknowledge it as rape; to rape by deception ( consent to sex is gained but by deception or false statements or actions)
Rape is an extremely difficult, traumatic experience for survivors who face painful emotions of anger, guilt, betrayal, helplessness, emptiness etc. Every survivor responds to the short and long term traumatic experience in their own way.
There are several steps to take if unfortunately, one is raped:
STEP 1:Ensure your personal safety and get help as fast as possible (Security/police, Hospital etc.).
STEP 2: Please adhere strictly to the following.
- Do not shower or bathe.
- Do not wash any of the clothes that you were wearing during the incidence.
- Do not either throw away such clothes-Preserve evidence as much as possible: if you change clothes wrap them in a brown paper bag/newspapers (not a plastic bag)
- Avoid urinating, if need be urinate in a container and carry the urine to hospital
- Do not brush your teeth or cut your nails
STEP 3
- Seek medical assistance by visiting the nearest health facility unit
- Get preventive treatment for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy (within 72hours) and physical injuries.
- Ensure that the post Rape care form is filled and take the original and duplicate copies with you
STEP 4
Report the matter to the authority-/ police e.g. (Campus authority-Security). Should such an incidence happens outside the campus; get to nearest police, hospital etc. Survivors are also encouraged to involve the Centre for Gender Equity and Empowerment, for further help and links to relevant support.
STEP 5: It is important you seek psychological support (Counselling)
STEP 6:It is inevitable to seek legal redress (legal advice)
Note: Fight a rapist as much as you can to avoid being conquered. However, in case a perpetrator is armed, be cautious to avoid fatal-geared reaction(s).
The Centre for Gender Equity and Empowerment through a grant from the Association of Commonwealth Universities under the topic “Technological Response to Sex & Gender Based Violence (SGBV) at Kenyatta University: The Anti-Violence Android Mobile App” is in the process of installing a mobile phone App system to enhance SGBV reporting. By using a mobile Phone, affected persons will report any form(s) of violence at the privacy of their hostels, offices, or any other premise.
They can also upload photos or any other material that can be utilized as evidence. Once complete, SGBV survivors will anonymously, efficiently and securely report and get quick access to the much needed services. The App will be used to sensitize the university community on Gender issues.
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At Kenyatta University, the day was commemorated under the theme “Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow” held on Wednesday, 13th November, 2019 from 2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. at the University’s Business Services and Students Centre room 12. The event was graced by Madam Judy Thongori, a renowned Family Lawyer who was the Chief Guest accompanied by four of her mentees.
The celebrated Family Lawyer, Madam Judy captivated staff and students on the “Marriage, Divorce and Succession Laws in Kenya- Highlighting the Matrimonial Property Act, 2013. In her simplified legal jargon, she urged the audience to write a “Will” from age 18 and avoid “Come we Stay unions”.
She also highlighted some key issues on inheritance and succession laws, which was well dramatized by her team of mentees. She elaborate that inheritance is a significant means of transferring, or excluding from transfer wealth from one generation to the next. As such, it can have positive or negative effects on poverty status over the life course. Inheritance events can either be boons of property accumulation or they can strip people of their previous security of access to assets. Inheritance patterns are connected to a society’s kinship organization, social structure, and ideas about freedom, wealth, and equality. Lack of equity in the distribution of inheritance often reflects existing social inequities, leaving those denied equal inheritance not only poorer than other family members or destitute, but also with fewer rights to decision-making within the family and community. It is therefore considered both an economic and a social justice issue.
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The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has added the intersex as the third gender in the upcoming national census to be conducted later this month, which will start on night of 24th August and continue up to 31st August, 2019.
Kenyans will be given the option to identify themselves as either male, female or intersex
According to KNBS, the inclusion of a third gender was a recommendation from the task force of Intersex Persons Society of Kenya (IPSK).
The founder of the Intersex Persons Society of Kenya (IPSK), said that getting information about intersex people in the census will help the nation understand the challenges those people go through.
Intersex people are individuals born with any of several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, or genitals that do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies.
Source: capital.co.ke
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To effectively enhance gender equity and equality especially combat SGBV, the CGEE strongly recognizes the role of men. For the first time, we joined the world in observing the International Men’s Day, which highlights the positive difference that men bring to the world, communities and to their families. The 2019 theme Day was “Making a Difference for Men and Boys”, which we simply interpreted as “Men Leading By Example”. Observing that men fear women’s empowerment seeing it as a threat to their status quo, Prof. Dionysious Kiambi’s (DVC Academic, Pan African Christian University (PAC) dismissed this myth. Under the topic: “Overcoming Toxic Masculinities; Men Leading by Example”, hehighlighted the mileages achieved when men and women work together and encouraged those present to re-think on what it means to “be men”.
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Centre for Gender Equity and Empowerment has been awarded 1000 GBP by Association of Commonwealth Universities for project entitled; “Technological Response to Sex and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) at Kenyatta University: The Anti-Violence Android Mobile App”.
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Director
Prof. Grace Wamue-Ngare, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Gender Equity and Empowerment