Bridging Police and Community
The Challenge:
Although illegal, child rape cases are sometimes privately settled by Chiefs and elders through the exchange of money, livestock, land, or forced early marriage — obstructing justice, denying victims their rights, and enabling repeat offenders.
The Justice Solution:
The Equality Effect has been invited to partner with local Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs in Kenya to address the use of private settlements in child rape cases. Chiefs are responsible for the sensitization of community members to justice issues, and are often the first point of contact for those seeking resolution.
The Results
Chiefs will educate community members about the detrimental impacts of private settlements, and the need to report rape claims to police. Chiefs can provide essential leadership as the bridge between the police and the community members to ensure defilement crimes are investigated.
