Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood has called on the Interior Ministry, in collaboration with the National Police Service (NPS) to consider relocating police gender desks from police stations to hospitals to enhance swift reporting of gender-based violence cases.
Speaking during a Jukwaa La Usalama Forum in Meru County on Wednesday, Mr Dawood said majority of victims or those aware of gender-based violence cases are usually hesitant to report at the police station due to various issues such as stigma and fear of victimization. "We have realised that there are many cases of GBV that take place in our areas but they go unreported to the police gender desks, meaning the desks are not working." "I therefore suggest that NPS should ensure more officers are trained on these issues and have them based at main hospitals where victims and witnesses can be free to report rather than moving to police stations," said Mr Dawood.
He added that majority of the victims find it hard to report to the police stations and their major concerns are being treated at the hospitals and continuing with their normal lives thereafter. "We should work hard to ensure that GBV cases are dealt with to the core and necessary punishment meted where due and this will deter similar cases in future," said Mr Dawood.
The MP said GBV cases have been on the rise in the country and especially in Meru County, and therefore concerted efforts must be applied to deal with the menace. "Meru County has a significant problem with GBV with the county being ranked among the highest in the nation.
