Outcome of Sexual Assault Offenses’ Forensic Investigation in Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya: The Influence of Coordination Between Medical and Legal Sectors

Abstract

The criminal justice system has been faced with challenges to conclusively address the plight of victims and survivors of sexual assault offences. In Kenya, it is estimated that only 25% of total sexual offense cases presented before a court of law are successfully convicted. The primary focus of this study was to establish the influence of coordination between medical and legal sectors on the outcome of sexual assault offenses’ forensic investigation in Butere sub-county. The significance of the study is to give insight into the successful investigation of sexual offenses and guide policy formulation regarding investigation of sexual offenses. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to provide an explanation of the variables and an explanatory research design to explain causal links between variables. Stratified random sampling was used to pick police respondents from police stations and police posts from Butere Sub County and snowball and purposive sampling was used to pick survivors of sexual assault offences within Butere sub county and health workers from level 4 hospitals in Butere Sub County respectively. Data was collected using closed and open-ended questionnaires administered to police officers, interview guides administered to health workers and survivors of sexual assault offenses. Data was subjected to thorough editing and summarizing before actual analysis. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically with the help of NVivo software. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 and results presented using tables. There was poor coordination between the medical and legal sectors concerning sexual assault investigation in Butere Sub County, a composite mean of 2.48 and that there is currently no integrated model providing comprehensive services for both the medical and legal sectors in this context. The transfer of P3 and PRC forms among pertinent stakeholders lacks smoothness and efficiency. Government pathologists demonstrate only moderate cooperation during the collection and preservation of precise scientific findings in medical examinations. An established collaboration exists between expert stakeholders and relevant service providers concerning sexual assault victims within Butere sub-county. Both medical professionals and police investigating officers are familiar with the permissible legal requirements regarding sexual assault evidence.