Assessing the effectiveness of reporting procedures in controlling child defilement in Kitutu Central Sub County, Kisii County, Kenya

Child defilement is a significant social development and health issue in Kenya, with at least 32% of females and 18% of males experiencing defilement during their childhood. Health facility data indicates a higher number of children in need of defilement management services. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of reporting procedures in controlling child defilement in Kitutu central sub-county, Kisii County, Kenya. The target population consisted of 485 respondents, including court officers, area chiefs, assistant chiefs, police officers, local elders, and child program health officers. A sample of 98 (20%) was drawn from the target population. The study used questionnaires and interview guides to collect primary data, while document analysis was used to collect secondary data. The validity of the instruments was determined through expert judgment by supervisors from the faculty of Art and Social Sciences at Kisii University. The quantitative data was keyed into SPSS version 22, and Pearson\u27s t-test was used to analyze the extent of relationship between variables. The study found that child defilement cases were on an upward trajectory in Kitutu central sub-county, with most victims being defiled. The defilement cases were mostly reported to the offices of area chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police stations. The administrators may have lacked the know-how, resources, or were easily compromised, making it difficult to investigate each case. There is no proper channel for reportin