Kenya Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) summary response plan 2010

The 2010 Violence Against Children and Youth Survey illustrates the urgency of addressing violence against children in Kenya. These results also provide clear direction for the development and implementation of programs, policies, and services that can ultimately reduce the heavy burden on health and social development that violence against children places on children, families, and wider society.

In recognition of the need to respond to issues relating to violence against children, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Development appointed a technical working group. The group comprised of senior technical officers representing line ministries across government to develop both a response plan and clearly outlined roles and responsibilities for each of the ministries and associated stakeholders.

The response plan serves as a guide for the implementation of a systems-based approach to services at both the community and national level. It will also provide agencies with access to tools to help promote behavior change among law enforcement, health and education officials, local administrators as well as among communities themselves. The goal is to understand how violence happens and to provide tools to the adult population to stop violent behavior before it starts.

The response plan seeks to guide government agencies to prioritize support of targeted prevention and protection efforts nationally to improve and expand the network of services already available.