Breaking Cycles of Violence : Gaps in Prevention of and Response to Electoral‑Related Sexual Violence / Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, Physicians for Human Rights.

Includes bibliographical references and annexes.

I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1
II. KENYA’S HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS ON PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO
SEXUAL VIOLENCE ......................................................................................................................... 4
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................................ 5
A. STATE OBLIGATIONS TO PREVENT ERSV ................................................................... 5
1. Lack of anticipation and planning for the risk of ERSV.................................................... 6
2. Inadequate coordination and monitoring in implementation of contingency planning
and absence of ERSV data collection system...................................................................... 7
3. Failure to develop and implement survivor-centred, comprehensive and coordinated
awareness-raising programmes countrywide...................................................................... 8
4. Lack of mandatory, recurrent and effective capacity-building and training for law
enforcement officers.............................................................................................................. 9
B. STATE OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT ............................................................................ 10
1. Delays in implementation of laws and national policies, resulting in ineffective
protection and assistance to survivors............................................................................... 11
2. Failure to establish safety and security measures for the protection of survivors......... 11
3. Insufficient time, resources and expertise to implement the National Contingency Plan
to effectively anticipate and prepare for emergency response for survivors of ERSV.. 12
4. Failure to address existing structural, resource and capacity gaps to ensure access to
affordable, appropriate, quality and comprehensive health care services, including
sexual and reproductive health care, psychological care and medical forensic services.
............................................................................................................................................... 13
5. Ineffective access to information on availability of protection measures and services 14
6. Absence of coordination, including with community-based actors, in the design and
implementation of measures for protection and assistance to survivors........................ 15
C. STATE OBLIGATIONS TO INVESTIGATE, PROSECUTE AND ENSURE
ACCOUNTABILITY.................................................................................................................... 15
1. Lack of specificity, linkage and a confusing duality in the legal framework
criminalising and sanctioning ERSV................................................................................. 16
2. Inaccessibility and unavailability to ERSV survivors of reporting and complaints
response mechanisms ......................................................................................................... 17
3. Failure to conduct survivor-centred, timely and properly resourced investigations..... 18
4. Weak coordination and cooperation among investigative agencies ............................... 21
5. Weak linkages and inadequate cooperation with organisations working with survivors
............................................................................................................................................... 21
6. Need for strengthened prosecution capacity..................................................................... 22
7. Lack of effective data collection, monitoring, evaluation and oversight to track
progress of cases through the criminal justice system ..................................................... 22
D. STATE OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE REMEDIES AND REPARATIONS................. 23
III. CONCLUSION................................................................................................................ 25
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................ 26
Prevention .................................................................................................................................... 26
Protection...................................................................................................................................... 26
Investigation, Prosecution and Accountability ......................................................................... 28
Reparations................................................................................................................................... 29