Study on Online Sexual Abuse of Children Programming and Policies in Kiambu and Nairobi Counties at Child Fund International

ABOUT TUCHANUKE ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION PROJECT

Over the last two decades, sexual exploitation and abuse of children in Kenya has worsened in part due to the expansion of information and communication technologies and the internet. The spread of the internet in Kenya through mobile broadband, low-cost smartphones/tablets, and increased fiber optic cable connections has enabled greater online access throughout the country for women, youth/children. Both children and their caregivers can be oblivious to the need of child protection against online risks such as sexual exploitation. Due to this, the use of filtering or blocking applications are often not used to monitor children’s online access. Additionally, with the use of numerous online channels available to potential abusers to access children, it is often difficult for police and other officials to track illegal behaviours. This is especially apparent in low-income areas found in Nairobi, considered the hub of online sexual exploitation of children in Kenya, and Kiambu County which often serves as a “supplier” of trafficked children. Perpetrators of OSEAC are more likely to offend during the context of a pandemic, as increased stress and isolation enable the conditions and anonymity to act on negative impulses. Lockdowns and economic consequences contribute to an increase in OSEAC and victims and caregivers are manipulated to enable participation and expansion of abuse to new victims by taking advantage of economic distress and fragile financial situations.

Considering the above, Tuchanuke online child protection project therefore aims at three pronged objectives; to increase the understanding of online child protection risks among caregivers in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, improve stakeholder’s commitment in combating OSEAC, and implementation of relevant policies and legislation on OSEAC by stakeholders. The project will reach 6,000 caregivers, 1,200 youth, 60 community volunteers, 30 government officials and 400 children with various interventions including community outreaches, life skills and peer education training, media programs, workshops with government and other stakeholders to foster dialogues and using research and short studies to inform strategies on OSEAC. The project will be implemented from April 2021 to April 2022 in Starehe and Kasarani, and Kiambu Central and Kikuyu sub counties of Nairobi and Kiambu counties respectively.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study is to review the status of online sexual exploitation abuse of children programming and policies in Nairobi and Kiambu counties

The specific objectives are:

• To determine the extent of online child protection in urban settings pre and during COVID19 pandemic.
• To explore the short, medium and long term effects of risks associated with the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.
• To explore general understanding by children, youth and adults knowledge and skills of online sexual abise of children and online child protection.
• To understand the current efforts by national, county government, non-profit organisations and stakeholders in combating OSEAC.
• Provide strategic recommendations for stakeholders specifically communications authority on gaps in legal framework and policies and other stakeholders on scaling up initiatives in the two counties and urban settings nationwide.

SCOPE

The study will focus on Starehe and Kasarani sub-counties of Nairobi county and Kiambu Central and Kikuyu sub counties of Kiambu county.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant will be expected to demonstrate robust research methodology for the study that may include and not limited to mixed methodologies such as Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and secondary data review. The consultant should consider COVID19 guidelines and applicability in the research process.

DELIVERABLES

• Inception report of the study – detailing research protocols; scope, research design, sampling, methodologies, data collection tools, workplan, analysis plan, research assistant’s recruitment and training curriculum.
• Draft report of OSEAC detailing findings and recommendation.
• Final report of OSEAC study.
• Validation forum face to face for stakeholders to disseminate report findings.

TIMELINE

The study will take place from 7th June to 2nd July 2021 in all the target project sites including county and national government officials. The specific timelines will be discussed and agreed with the project team.

MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION

The key people that the consultants will be working closely with at ChildFund include Advocacy and Child Protection Manager, Nairobi Metropolitan Program Coordinator, M&E Officer, Tuchanuke Project Officer, and the Monitoring & Evaluation Learning Manager.

OWNERSHIP

All documents, project designs, and other information shall remain the property of ChildFund and shall be always treated as confidential by the consultant(s). They shall not be made available to any third party whatsoever, in any form, without the prior written approval of a properly authorized employee of ChildFund.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

All consultants shall read, and sign ChildFund Child Safeguarding Policy as fully understood and in agreement to in all respects and shall follow this in all and every respect during the term of the study.

QUALIFICATIONS OF CONSULTANT

• The lead consultant must have an advanced degree in any of the following disciplines: Development Studies, Community Development, Project Planning and Management, Child Protection,
• Over 5 years’ experience in undertaking research monitoring and evaluation related to Child Protection.
• Demonstrated experience in use of child friendly and participatory methods of conducting research and evaluations with government and community members, leadership.
• Have proven knowledge in Information Technology for Development (ICT4D)
• Excellent analytical, organizational, facilitating, presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Previous experience in working in Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and related Child Protection Programming areas in urban/peri urban setting such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu will be highly desirable.