Citation

Stevens LM, Rockey JC, Rockowitz SR, Kanja W, Colloff MF, Flowe HD. Front. Glob. Womens Health 2021; 2: 630901.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Frontiers Media)

DOI

10.3389/fgwh.2021.630901

PMID

34816191

PMCID

PMC8593937

Abstract

This article discusses the latest research that reveals that children seem to be facing new risks of sexual violence in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence suggests there have been changes in patterns of sexual offenses against children coincident with lockdowns, curfews, and school closures. In particular, emerging evidence from Kenya suggests that child victims are younger, more likely to be victimized by a neighbor in a private residence, and in the daytime, compared to pre-pandemic. We conclude that situational crime prevention strategies that focus on providing alternative safe venues to reduce offending opportunities must be a central part of a public health approach to reduce children's vulnerability during crises such as COVID-19.

Language: en

Keywords

COVID-19; Kenya; offender versatility; public health approach; sexual violence against children; situational crime prevention