Influence of Safety Standards and Guidelines on Students’ Sexual Abuse in Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Kitui County, Kenya

Moses Munyau Kimanthi
University of Technology and Arts of Byumba, Rwanda.
Email: kimanthi.moses@gmail.com

Abstract: Sexual abuse in schools remains a persistent challenge globally, with boarding secondary schools particularly vulnerable due to residential arrangements and limited parental oversight. This study investigated the influence of safety standards and guidelines on students’ sexual abuse in public boarding secondary schools in Kitui County, in the Republic of Kenya. A descriptive survey design with mixed methods was employed, involving boarding secondary schools’ target population of 16,719 and a sample of 605 participants. The sample included 200 teachers and 400 students, with 5 education officers for the interview. Purposive (for education officers) and simple random sampling techniques (for teachers and students) were used. Data were collected through structured questionnaires for teachers and students, and interview schedules for the education officers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed with verbatim citations to contextualize quantitative findings. The results indicated that inadequate supervision and insufficient staff training significantly increase students’ vulnerability to sexual abuse. The study highlights the critical role of effective implementation of safety standards, enhanced supervision, and functional reporting and response mechanisms in safeguarding students. The findings offer practical, evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, school administrators, and child protection stakeholders to strengthen safety interventions and protect learners in boarding schools.