A human rights activist has urged the Nakuru County government to establish rescue centres to cater for abused children and women in the county.
Eunice Mung’asia, a representative of the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANEPPCAN) in Kenya says that there is need for rescue centres.
“We need to check this problem by providing rescue services in specialised centres. The government should be the leading stakeholder to provide protection for abused and neglected vulnerable members of society especially children and women,” said Mung’asia.
These will act as run to places for abused and neglected children as well as women.
Mung’asia said there is a prevalence in child abuse and neglect and even women because of the high rate of pressures in life that are caused by the changing socio-economic values in modern society in Kenya.
She added: “Such centres could provide temporary remedies, care and counselling. In the long run, they could also provide employment and extension services for government officials and community workers.”
According to the activist, many cases of child abuse and neglect go unnoticed or reported because members of the community have no idea where to forward such cases adding that law enforcers were doing little to address such cases especially in rural and informal settlements areas.