Sexual violence

The abused learners tend to absent themselves from class, lose concentration and focus on their abusive experiences. They also do not participate in class discussions or other class activities. Thus, they find themselves having to repeat grades. They also pay more attention to their painful experiences and failed to concentrate on their school work. This affected their full participation in class.
Deborah Nyambura Karanja (2019). Effects of domestic violence on students academic performance in public day secondary schools in Tetu Subcounty, Nyeri County, Kenya (Master’s thesis, The University of Nairobi). http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/107358

Sexual and gender-based violence Refers to any act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and is based on gender norms and unequal power relationships. It includes any form of a non-consensual sexual act, attempt to forcefully obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic women’s sexuality, using coercion, threats of harm or physical force, by any person regardless of relationship to the survivor, in any setting, including but not not limited to home or work. Six core SGBV types include, rape, sexual aasault, physical assault, forced marriage, denial of resources/opportunities or services and psychological and emotional abuse

UNHCR (n.d). Sexual & Gender-Based Violence. https://help.unhcr.org/kenya/helpful-services/sexual-gender-based-violence/

SEXUAL VIOLENCE

According to the MOE report (2019), Sexual violence encompasses a range of acts, including completed non-consensual sex acts, attempted non-consensual sex acts, and abusive sexual contact.
The report confirmed that the prevalence of physical violence in the home setting is still high and the main perpetrators are the parents and caregivers who are their primary caregivers.
Children’s exposure to violence at home is still high
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, Department of Children’s Services. Violence against Children in Kenya: Findings from a National Survey, 2019. Nairobi, Kenya: 2019

Violence against children is any action or words that cause harm, injury or sadness to children. It can be physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect. It happens in homes, schools and communities across Kenya, no matter the tribe, religion, or upbringing. Adults, young people, or even other children can cause violence

For sexual violence, most children and young people in the 2019 survey reported the most common abuser was a boyfriend or girlfriend; for physical violence they reported parents and caregivers were the most common, and for emotional violence they reported classmates or schoolmates to be the most common
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, Department of Children’s Services. Protecting Children against Violence: Findings from a National Survey, 2020. Nairobi, Kenya: 2020

The mothers regarded the levels of distress suffered by their children to be extremely serious. Both the children and their mothers were often present during extreme verbal and physical abuse of their mother, and the presence of children did not affect the abusers’ behavior

High rates of post traumatic disorder were recorded
Chemtob, Claude & Carlson, John. (2004). Psychological Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Their Mothers.. International Journal of Stress Management. 11. 209-226. 10.1037/1072-5245.11.3.209.

Teachers do not live in the divorce situation as parents do, may be able better to acknowledge the behavior changes in children.

Presence of both father and mother in a family are a fundamental basis for children’s development. Its in the family that a child feels secure, loved and protected.
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s life. They are the pillars of support, guidance, and love. Family is where life begins and love ends.
Children’s exposure can include prenatal, being present during the event, witnessing the aftermath, hearing it during or after the event, by attempting to break up the abuse, or by being abused after the event occurred (Pingley, 2017).
Pingley, Terra. (2017). The Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence on Children: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/ msw_papers/776
Domestic violence incidences do affect academic performance. Teachers were asked to note down the behaviors portrayed by pupils from homes with domestic violence incidences. The teachers cited aggression, sleeping in class, low concentration, and apathy, isolating from peers, fear and anxiety.
Kimetto, M.J (2018). DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND STANDARD ONE CHILDREN’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SOTIK, BOMET COUNTY, KENYA. Master’s Thesis. Kenyatta University
The children could not concentrate on their studies in school with the fear that untoward acts or violence could be repeated in their homes or with their parents.Their relationship with their family is also affected to a large extent especially when their own fathers are the abusers of their mothers. The relationship is confusing, with the children expressing both affection and resentment, pain and disappointment over his father’s violent behavior.
Chona. P. A, Maita G & Aquino I.P (2017). DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN AND ITS EFFECTS TO THEIR SOCIOEDUCATIONAL BEHAVIOUR. Vol. 6 | No. 5.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences