Childhood Victimization Influence on Juvenile Delinquency, A Case of Penal Institutions in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

World over, juvenile justice involved children report higher rates of exposure to abuse than the general abuse. Studies have demonstrated that there is a link between victimization and future offending. Yet, little is known about the influence of childhood victimization on juvenile delinquency in the Kenyan juvenile justice system. This study sought to establish the influence of childhood victimization and juvenile delinquency among juveniles in correctional institutions in Kakamega County. specifically, the study sought to examine the influence of childhood physical abuse on juvenile delinquency among juveniles in penal institutions in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study was guided by the social leaning theory and the general strain theory. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A sample of 192 juveniles was selected from a total of 368 juveniles in Shikusa Borstal Institution and Kakamega Rehabilitation School were selected through simple random sampling. 2 institutional heads,3 correctional officers, 5 probation officers and 5 children’s officers were selected through purposive sampling as key informants. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the juveniles. An interview schedule was used to collect data from the key informants. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analyzed. Quantitative data was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that childhood physical abuse and juvenile delinquency were significantly related (r=0.531; P<0.05) with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0. 241.From the findings, it was concluded that childhood victimization had a significant influence on juvenile delinquency. A recommendation was made that parents and caregivers should be sensitized on parenting skills that promote healthy child development. In addition, the juvenile justice system should come up with policy and practice guidelines related to childcare and programmes aimed at lessening the effects of abuse on children in conflict with the law.

Keywords: childhood victimization, childhood physical abuse, juvenile delinquency

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/133-06

Publication date:June 30^th 2023