Support and information for sexual assault survivors in Kenya.
Hello and welcome back to my blog. This is my 4th post, patting myself on the back for sure. I would like to thank you for reading my posts, I really appreciate it. You give me the confidence to write and educate. Before I begin today’s post, just want to put a disclaimer for sexual assault, it is a heavy topic and I know it’s personal to a lot of people.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when individuals and communities around the world come together to raise awareness about sexual violence, support survivors, and advocate for prevention. The movement initially started in the U.S., but the message is global: sexual violence is a public health crisis, and silence only protects the perpetrator, not the survivor.
Sexual assault is one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. To all the survivors out there, I want to say I am sorry. It is not your fault, and you are not alone. This post is for anyone in Kenya confused about what they can do, whether it just happened or it’s something that has been carried quietly for months or even years. This is also for friends and family who want to offer support but don’t know how. Consider this a guide to practical steps you can take after sexual assault, from seeking medical care to emotional and legal support. It will also include resources available in Kenya and places you can turn to for help.
Everyone’s healing journey looks different, and you don’t have to do everything at once. I do hope, though, that this can be a small starting point and bring a bit of light in what might feel like a very dark moment.
What to do immediately (72 hours)
If you’ve just experienced sexual assault, put your safety and health first. The first 72 hours are especially important for your medical care and collecting evidence. Here is what you can do:
- Your safety comes first. Get to a safe place. This could be at home, a friend’s place, the hospital, a safe house, or the police station.
- This may be hard, but if you can, avoid bathing, brushing your teeth, or changing clothes. These actions may remove important evidence. But if you’ve already cleaned up, you can still go to the hospital; your health still matters.
- Seek medical care. You do not have to report to the police to seek medical support. At the hospital, the medical team will carefully provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial support that you will need. The following care will be provided:
- PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), to prevent HIV infection. It must be taken within 72 hours.
- Emergency contraception (like Postinor-2) to prevent pregnancy.
- STI screening and treatment for infections that may have been transmitted.
- Psychological first aid – some hospitals offer counselling services on-site.
- The PRC1 Form – this is a medical form documenting your injuries. You’ll need it if you later decide to report to the police.
You have the right to free treatment for sexual violence at public facilities under Kenyan law. You should always know that at any point, you can say yes or no to any part of the medical exams.
Reporting
Survivors are not obligated to report to the police, but they can. I advise that you take the step to report. Many organizations are available at any point to support you in reporting. Here’s what to expect and do when you go to file a report:
- Inform the police officer on duty that you want to report a sexual assault case. From there, you will be referred to the gender desk to make a statement.
- With the help of the investigating officer, you will hand over the PRC1 form that you received from the medical facility so that they can note down the medical professional’s findings and any documented injuries.
- Even though the PRC1 form details physical evidence, you will still need to provide a verbal and written statement about what happened. Ensure that the statement reflects your account of what happened before signing it.
- Once the statement has been recorded, ensure you are given a police report number from the occurrence book. This number is very important, and it will be used for all future communications for the case.
- As for the P3 form, its main purpose is to serve as a formal request from the police to a hospital for a medical examination. This may or may not be required if you already have a PRC1 form, but seek clarification from the investigating officer, as it is key in the investigation process.
- The investigating officer will then guide you on the steps to follow, so be sure to take their contact information.
Your Rights
- You have the right to dignity, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
- You are not required to prove that you “fought back” or show visible injuries.
- You can ask for a male/female officer, a private room, or a trusted person to be present.
The reporting process can be rather daunting and feel invasive, but it is a step closer to justice.
Healing and psychosocial support.
Healing after sexual assault isn’t just about the body but also the heart, mind and spirit. There is no right way to respond, and you don’t have to go through this alone. In Kenya, there are a lot of people and institutions trained to offer support. Some of them offer free counselling, safe spaces, and even peer groups where you can speak or just be quiet and listen. (See below for various counselling groups)
Counselling is a safe and non-judgmental space to talk about what happened. They provide tools that will help you cope with triggers, flashbacks, guilt, shame, or anxiety. Some survivors find healing through therapy, while others prefer journaling, prayer, art, movement, or community. Healing is not a one-size-fits-all; you can choose what works for you.
You deserve healing, safety, and support.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. Whether you’re a survivor yourself, a friend trying to help, or just someone who wants to understand the topic better, you are part of changing the story around sexual violence in Kenya. Listen, believe, and stand with survivors. Ending sexual violence isn’t just a survivor’s burden; it is a shared responsibility. Talk about consent. Challenge harmful jokes and silencing. Support the people and spaces that care.
This post might be a lifeline for someone who doesn’t know where to turn. Please consider sharing it with your community or even bookmarking it in case you or someone you love ever needs it.
That’s it for today’s heart-to-heart (and other body parts) conversation…. Until next time.
By Joan Bulinji Machanje
References and resources.
The Sexual Offences (Medical Treatment) Regulations, 2012 (Legal Notice No. 133 of 2012). Nairobi: Government Printer. Available at: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/act/ln/2012/133/eng@2022-12-31
Emergency Hotlines
- GBV Hotline – 1190 (Toll-Free, 24/7)
Run by LVCT Health, this hotline offers immediate support, referrals, and psychosocial help. They also have a confidential SMS system for survivors who cannot talk. - Childline Kenya – 116 (Toll-Free)
For cases involving children and adolescents, this line offers counseling, reporting pathways, and links to child protection services. - Healthcare Assistance Kenya (HAK) – 1195
Offers guidance on accessing health services, post-rape care, and GBV support. Their team prioritises confidentiality and survivor choice.
Medical & Psychosocial Support Centres
- Nairobi Women’s Hospital – Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC)
📞 0800 720 565 (Toll-Free)
Offers comprehensive post-rape care, including PEP, emergency contraception, psychosocial support, and safe spaces. Available in Nairobi and several counties. - Médecins Sans Frontières – Lavender Clinic
MSF offers free, walk-in medical and trauma care for GBV survivors. No police report required.
☎️ 0800721100 (Toll-Free)
Legal & Rights-Based Organizations
- FIDA Kenya (Federation of Women Lawyers)
📞 0722 509 760/0710607241
Offers free legal aid, support with reporting, and court representation for survivors. - CREAW Kenya (Centre for Rights Education and Awareness)
📞 0800720186 (Toll-Free) / 0720357664
Provides legal empowerment, community outreach, and psychosocial services. - COVAW (Coalition on Violence Against Women)
📞 0722594794
Nairobi|Narok|Kwale
Champions women’s rights and supports survivors with reporting and follow-up care.
Survivor Support & Advocacy
- Wangu Kanja Foundation
📞 Toll-Free: 1519/0722790404/0774746699
Offers medical, legal, psychosocial, and rescue support for survivors. Known for their trauma-informed approach. - Usikimye
Instagram: @usikimye | ☎️ Helpline: 0800 000 999
Provides emergency rescue, safe shelter, food, trauma counseling, and advocacy. Especially active on social media.
Support for Refugees & Displaced Persons
- UNHCR Kenya and Partner Agencies
Work with partners such as HIAS, DRC, IRC, NCCK, Coptic Hospital, and RefuSHE to provide:- Safe reporting spaces
- Psychosocial care
- Legal and resettlement support
Survivors can report incidents through community leaders or at UNHCR field offices. Confidentiality is prioritized.
Mental Health and Trauma Care
- Amani Counselling Centre & Training Institute
📍 Nairobi | 🌐 http://www.amanicounsellingcentre.org / 0722626590 / 0722626590/0733263870
Offers individual counseling, trauma therapy, and crisis support.
Heart to Heart... and other body parts 
Leave a comment