NGO raises concerns on exploitation
By Harrison.Kivisu, August 2, 2023ChildFund-Kenya has raised concerns about growing exposure of children to online sexual exploitation and abuse as the country ventures into the digital economy.
Child Protection and Advocacy ChildFund Manager, Eunice Kilundo, says although Kenya has made significant strides in putting in place child online protection laws, the vice is still rampant in the wake of emerging online global trends.
Speaking in Mombasa during an online sexual exploitation and abuse training for journalists, Kilundo underscored the need for parents and guardians to join the war and protect from online abuse and threats.
She regretted that in the wake of digital error, children are likely to be exposed to sexual live streaming, blackmail threats, reading materials, sexual voice notes and sexting among other threats from online predators.
“As a result we have embarked on preventive programmes at the coast region through partnerships; we are also targeting to partner with the media to disseminate the information widely to the masses to understand the new online threats to children,” said Kilundo.
Data from the Ministry of Labour indicates that 67 per cent of minors aged between 12 and 17 years are internet users, thus exposing them to sexual exploitation for commercial online trade.
In the new plan, the organization seeks to ensure early prevention through partnerships with Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and child departments in the region as well as increase capacity to journalists and parents, and school teachers in quest to ensure child protection.
“We have a lot of cases of child abuse online, but they end up not being reported, we ask parents not to hide them, instead seek aid from police,” said David Mariba, ChildFund programmes officer.