Abstract:
Gender-based violence (GBV) against children remains a major global and local concern with serious
implications for child protection, human rights, and social development. Although existing studies have
largely focused on prevalence and determinants, less attention has been given to how child survivors
experience and interpret violence within their everyday lives. This study examines the lived realities of
GBV among child survivors in South Mugirango Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya, with focus on
patterns of occurrence, reporting practices, and coping responses. The study was anchored in a
phenomenological orientation within a quantitative-dominant explanatory design, allowing integration
of statistical patterns with survivors’ lived experiences. The study targeted 1,534 reported child
survivors of GBV, 1,030 parents or guardians, and actors within the child protection system. A
proportionate sample of 154 child survivors was derived using Cochran’s formula, alongside 103
parents or guardians. The study further included 2 Sub-County Children Officers, 2 Probation Officers,
4 Gender Desk Police Officers, 1 Deputy County Commissioner, 2 Chiefs, 3 Assistant Chiefs, 13 Clan
Elders, 3 Social Workers, 3 Community Health Promoters, 3 Child Protection Volunteers, and 3 Kenya
Children’s Assembly (KCA) officials. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires
and analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were
obtained through interviews and open-ended responses and analyzed thematically to capture how
children perceive and respond to violence. Findings show a high prevalence of GBV, with children
reporting moderate to high exposure (M = 3.95), indicating that violence is a common part of their
daily environments. Many cases are handled informally (M = 3.65), contributing to under-reporting.
Gender differences were evident, with girls more exposed to sexual and emotional violence, while boys
experienced more physical and peer-related violence. Survivors reported coping through silence,
avoidance, and peer support, influenced by fear, stigma, and low trust in formal systems. The study
concludes that GBV among child survivors follows recognizable patterns shaped by social and
environmental conditions. It recommends strengthening reporting systems, enhancing community
awareness, and promoting child-centered interventions. The study contributes to social work by
informing policy and practice using evidence grounded in survivors’ experiences.
