Strategies Used in Addressing Students’ Sexual Harassment in Selected Secondary Schools in Kiambu and Nyamira Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Sexual harassment (SH) is a ‘burning issue’ and a ‘silent problem’ among students in many learning institutions across the globe. Nonetheless, there is paucity of data documenting the different strategies used by schools to address this vice which is causing many students untold distress leaving them feeling upset and disappointed. In 2001, The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) expressed fear that unless something was done, student sexual harassment in secondary schools in Kenya would get out of hand as it was slowly registering itself as a growing vice. Certainly, several incidents of a sexual nature have been reported in Kenya’s print and electronic media and in field reports testifying to the growing nature of the vice in schools. This descriptive survey research study sought to establish prevalent forms of SH and strategies used by secondary schools to address high school students’ sexual harassment. The study, carried out in selected secondary schools in Nyamira and Kiambu Counties targeted 23,659 students, 678 teachers, 88 Deputy Principals and 88 Coordinators of Guidance and Counseling. Samples were obtained through purposive and proportionate random sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides. Findings revealed that schools used varied strategies to address sexual harassment. Further, the findings revealed that besides school rules and regulations, most institutions preferred addressing SH through the guidance and counseling process. The study nonetheless recommended active stakeholder involvement with a view to stemming SH in schools.