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Features Peace and Security Survivors Petition Police for help
| Survivors Petition Police for help |
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Survivors of rape and domestic violence yesterday demanded humane treatment from the police when they need help after traumatic ordeals. They say that police harass them and even ask them embarrassing questions, whenever they visited the stations for help. “When I got to the police station, the officers on duty harassed me despite the state I was in. It was after much persistence and consultations that they agreed to offer me help,” said one of the survivors of rape. The survivors were speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence that runs from 25th to 10th December yearly. For the first time in the crusades, the police are playing an active role, with the Police Commissioner brigadier Hussein Ali presiding over the official launch of the sixteen days campaign. While lauding the role of the police in protecting women, Brigadier Ali on his part advised women to promptly report cases of domestic and sexual violence as soon as they occur. “The police have established gender desks; this is in relation to the sensitivity and dignity of the matter at hand. The public needs to be educated on gender crimes,” Brigadier Ali explained. He also added that there are plans to increase the number of female officers in the force that is from the current 12 percent to 20 percent in the years ahead. This year’s theme in the campaigns against domestic violence is pegged on the health of women and the nation. Survivors of violence who graced the occasion lamented the disillusionment by law enforcement agents who have failed in protecting. “We as Kenyan citizens have the right to protection. Sometimes I have a feeling that some of the perpetrators of the crimes, conspire with the police and this has even ridden me of the trust I have when I go to report such cases to the police,” narrated one of the survivors. Others claimed that they had completely lost trust in the police and therefore do not report cases anymore. “I went to the police station and wanted to make a statement, they claimed that I was a prostitute…I had to narrate what happened, others asked how I felt. I was asked to go to the hospital…I left the station without help,” one of the survivors expressed painfully. “We as Kenyan citizens have the right to protection. Sometimes I have a feeling that some of the perpetrators of the crimes, conspire with the police and this has even ridden me of the trust I have when I go to report such cases to the police,” narrated one of the survivors. Another survivor said it was terrible to make a report at the police stations because of the harassment and their inability to do something. “I went to the police station and wanted to make a statement, they claimed that I was a prostitute…I had to narrate what happened, others asked how I felt. I was asked to go to the hospital…I left the station without help,” one of the survivors expressed painfully. They say that they prefer hospitals to police stations, with one of them explaining that; “I thought that I could find help. I was harassed. The policeman took me to a place where there were other men and situation was so embarrassing.” They affirm that all they need from the police is a listening ear and the assurance of protection not mistreatment. Jane Onyango, the Executive Director of FIDA-Kenya highlights that for a long time, they have had training programmes for the police inorder to help them deal better with such cases of violence. “It is shocking to hear that victims of domestic violence are still treated with little care when they go to report such cases, the trainings should be strengthened if survivors are to get much help from the police,” she asserts. Dr. Sam Nthenya, of the Nairobi Womens hospital says that the police force needs to take more of a proactive approach and role in eradicating these crimes. “I suggest that the police force invest much in the forensic approach when dealing with such cases because most of the perpetrators go scot-free from lack of evidence,” he quips. The event was organized by the Coalition of violence Against Women and ActionAid Kenya.              |
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| 2006 - 2007 Annual Report |
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