Family reconciliation has been termed as a major impediment in protecting children from abuse in Bahati area.
This is according to police investigation officer inspector Florence Mbithe of Bahati Police Station.
Mbithe said police are facing an uphill task when dealing with cases of child sexual abuse like defilement and sodomy. This is when parents of the victim, who is the child, decides not to continue with the matter as they resort to reconciliation with the accused.
“It is on record that some parents prefer to settle the matter in the family set-up. This poses a big challenge for us in prosecuting these cases in terms of recording witness statements and evidence gathering,” she said during the commemoration of the day of the African Child at Bahati playgrounds on Tuesday.
The same sentiments were echoed by sub-county children’s officer Nancy Waswa who warned parents that action will be taken against them when they become a hindrance to victims getting justice.
The children officer added that there are also incidences of early marriages especially in Lower Subukia but parents decide to go quiet on this.
“Some parents marry off their children at the age of 17. The law is clear that below 18 years, the person is still a child. We are working closely with village elders and chiefs in identifying various challenges facing children and taking the appropriate action as required,” Waswa said.
She called upon all stakeholders to chip in their efforts in the protection of children.
“We have formed grass root committees that visit schools and villages to educate teachers and parents on children rights and offering counselling to the affected,” she added.