Decline in Violence Among Children and Youth in Kenya — Comparison of 2010 and 2019 Kenya Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys

Background: In 2010, Kenya became the third country to implement the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS). The study found high prevalence of violence in the country. Led by the Government of Kenya, stakeholders implemented several prevention and response strategies to reduce violence. In 2019, Kenya implemented a second VACS. This study examined changes in violence and risk factors for violence between 2010 and 2019. Methods: The 2010 and 2019 VACS used a similar sampling approach and measures. Both were national household surveys of persons aged 13–24 years. Prevalence and changes in lifetime experiences of violence and risk factors for violence were estimated. Findings: The prevalence of lifetime sexual, physical, and emotional violence significantly declined in 2019 compared to 2010 for both females and males. Additionally, significantly more female survivors sought and received services for sexual violence and significantly more males knew of a place to seek help in 2019 than in 2010. Prevalence of several risk factors for violence also declined. For example, fewer females endorsed at least one inequitable gender norm and fewer males endorsed at least one inequitable gender norms and norms endorsing wife beating in 2019 compared to 2010. Interpretation: Kenya observed significant declines in the prevalence of lifetime violence victimization and some risk factors for violence between 2010 and 2019. Although low, some service seeking and receipt indicators also improved between 2010 and 2019. Prioritizing services and their uptake among survivors of childhood violence in Kenya will be important. Funding: The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the terms of cooperative agreements #5NU2GGH001520 and #1U2GGH001619. Declaration of Interest: The authors have no declared conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: Protocol reviewed and approved by the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of the Kenya Medical Research Institute and by the CDC Institutional Review Board (IRB).