National Guidelines on Management of Sexual Violence in Kenya
National Guidelines on Management of Sexual Violence in Kenya
National Guidelines on Management of Sexual Violence in Kenya
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Psycho-Social Support<br />
1. Introducti<strong>on</strong><br />
Survivors <strong>of</strong> sexual violence react differently to the ordeal. Some survivors experience<br />
immediate psychological distress, others short-term and/or l<strong>on</strong>g-term psychological<br />
problems. The amount and length <strong>of</strong> social support and/or psychological counsel<strong>in</strong>g<br />
required by survivors <strong>of</strong> sexual violence varies enormously, depend<strong>in</strong>g <strong>on</strong> the degree <strong>of</strong><br />
psychological trauma suffered and the survivor’s <strong>in</strong>dividual cop<strong>in</strong>g skills and abilities.<br />
This chapter highlights the procedures <strong>of</strong> psycho-social care for survivors <strong>of</strong> sexual<br />
violence <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g ethical c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>. Efforts are made to address the dist<strong>in</strong>ct<br />
psycho-social needs <strong>of</strong> adult male and females and children- boys and girls, pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
with disabilities and perpetrators <strong>of</strong> sexual violence.<br />
• It is recommended that all counselors provid<strong>in</strong>g trauma counsel<strong>in</strong>g to survivors <strong>of</strong><br />
sexual violence must be trauma counselors and should also have basic pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g (e.g. nurses, psychological counselors, social workers, psychiatrists).<br />
• They should be members <strong>of</strong> an accredited counsel<strong>in</strong>g associati<strong>on</strong> e.g. <strong>Kenya</strong><br />
Counsel<strong>in</strong>g Associati<strong>on</strong> (KCA), <strong>Kenya</strong> Psychologists Associati<strong>on</strong> (KPA) or be<br />
recognized by M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Public Health and Sanitati<strong>on</strong> or M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Medical<br />
Services as rape trauma counselors.<br />
2. Survivor-Centred Approach to Counsel<strong>in</strong>g<br />
The counselor should apply the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g “good” and not “do<strong>in</strong>g harm” <strong>in</strong><br />
counsel<strong>in</strong>g a survivor.<br />
When provid<strong>in</strong>g services to survivor <strong>of</strong> sexual violence, counselors should adhere to<br />
the follow<strong>in</strong>g fundamental pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> counsel<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• Aut<strong>on</strong>omy: The right <strong>of</strong> patients to make decisi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> their own behalf (or <strong>in</strong> the<br />
case <strong>of</strong> patients under 18 years <strong>of</strong> age, <strong>in</strong>dividuals act<strong>in</strong>g for the child, i.e. parents<br />
or guardians). All steps taken <strong>in</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g services are based <strong>on</strong> the <strong>in</strong>formed<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sent <strong>of</strong> the survivor.<br />
• Beneficence: The duty or obligati<strong>on</strong> to act <strong>in</strong> the best <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> the survivor.<br />
• N<strong>on</strong>-maleficience: The duty or obligati<strong>on</strong> to avoid harm to the survivor.<br />
• Justice or fairness: Do<strong>in</strong>g and giv<strong>in</strong>g what is rightfully due to the survivor.<br />
These pr<strong>in</strong>ciples have practical implicati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the manner <strong>in</strong> which services are<br />
provided, namely:<br />
• Awareness <strong>of</strong> the needs and wishes <strong>of</strong> the survivor;<br />
• Display<strong>in</strong>g sensitivity and compassi<strong>on</strong>;<br />
• Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g objectivity (WHO 2003).<br />
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