By Heizel Gathoni
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Mombasa recently facilitated a crucial two-day training session on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) for Sub-County Children Advisory Committees in Mombasa County.
The training which was held 29th and 30th of August 2024, aimed at equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat the rising threat of online child exploitation.
The training, organized by the Directorate of Children Services in partnership with Childfund Kenya, focused on sensitizing the Children Advisory Committees to the various international, regional, and national laws and policies designed to prevent OCSEA.
“The objective of the training was to sensitize the Children Advisory Committees on the International, Regional and Kenyan Laws & Policies for the prevention of the OCSEA,” stated the ODPP.
Participants were introduced to the relevant legal frameworks and guided on how to apply these laws effectively to protect children who are at risk or have already been victimized by online predators.
Key topics discussed during the sessions included the challenges of investigating and prosecuting OCSEA cases. Using real-life case scenarios, the training highlighted both the successes and the existing gaps in the current system.
“They discussed the safeguards that are available to children and how to apply the applicable laws and policies towards protection of the victims of the OCSEA.Further, they discussed with the participants using case scenarios the challenges in investigation and prosecution of OCSEA cases highlighting success stories and noting the gaps thereby proposing practical solutions,” explained the ODPP.
This practical approach allowed participants to engage in meaningful discussions and propose actionable solutions to enhance the protection of children and improve the effectiveness of legal responses to OCSEA.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele, who facilitated the training for the Nyali and Mvita Sub-Committees, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the fight against OCSEA.
In addittion the Prosecution Counsel urged the participants to familiarize themselves with the law especially the Children Act, 2022 which has embraced the best interest of the child and expressly criminalised OCSEA.
The training was hosted by the Directorate of Children Services in Partnership with Childfund Kenya in all the SubCounties in Mombasa and Kilifi South.