Correlating family income with sexual violence against children A study of Kasarani Sub-County, Nairobi County

Abstract

Over time, children are presented to have borne the brunt of offensive cultural practices and conditions that perpetuate sexual violence especially in Kenya. Research gap shows existing uncertainty on the determinants of sexual violence and how the challenge is manifested in the dynamics of the changing economic conditions. This study examines the correlation between incidents of sexual violence and family income as an indicator of socio-economic inequalities at micro level. The study therefore broadly aimed to explore the ultimate relationship between family income levels and prevalence of sexual violence. Specific objectives sought to explore the prevalence of sexual violence against children with respective family income differences; determined the correlation between sexual violence experienced by children to the associated family income factors; and assessed the outcomes of sexual violence based on children’s family income backgrounds. The study is based on Resource theory of violence at family, which suggests a relationship between wealth and violence at community level. Descriptive survey design was used with a mixed paradigm approach to combine quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Cluster sampling method was then used to select the study schools as the participants who were chosen randomly in each sampled school. Data was collected using questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key informant interviews. Scope of the study targeted teenage children aged 13-17 years in six secondary schools. General findings show that there is an association between worse economic conditions exhibited by low family income levels and high levels of sexual violence against children. Results from regression analysis demonstrated that there is a correlation between violence and socio-economic inequality in terms of family income disparities which points to possible wider structural causes of violence. It is therefore concluded that the prevalence of violence against children have indirect relationship with the family income endowment, and direct relationship with income disparities.