THE NEXUS BETWEEN CHILDHOOD VICTIMIZATION AND JUVENILE OFFENDING, A STUDY OF SHIKUSA BORSTAL INSTITUTION KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing the nexus between childhood victimization and juvenile offending on a social structural level. This study sought to meet the following specific objectives; to investigate the effect of family victimization on juvenile offending, to examine the effect of neighborhood victimization on juvenile offending, and to assess the effect of institutional victimization on juvenile offending. This study was conducted at Shikusa Borstal Institution in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study adopted the general strain theory to elaborate on the link between childhood victimization and juvenile offending. The research adopted a cross sectional research design. Mixed methods of data collection were utilized to collect qualitative and quantitative data. A sample of 198 juvenile delinquents was obtained through simple random sampling, and 26 heterogeneous key informants were sampled purposively and they included 1 officer in charge of Borstal institution, 5 probation officers, 5 Children’s officers 5 wardens, 5 teachers and 5 matrons. This study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires from the juvenile delinquents while interviews were utilized for key informants. Secondary data was obtained through a literature review of published journals, books, and written records. A pilot study was conducted at Shimo La Tewa Borstal Institution to ensure the feasibility of the research, validity, and reliability of the research instruments to be used in data collection. The internal consistency of the questionnaires was analyzed using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient and a coefficient of 0.791 obtained. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0 for windows. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented concurrently with quantitative data. Findings of the study revealed that family victimization and juvenile offending were significantly correlated (r=0.618; P<0.01) with regression analysis revealing a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.318 implying that 31.8% of the variance in juvenile offending in Kakamega County was attributed to childhood victimization. It was also established based on the findings of the study that neighborhood victimization and juvenile offending were significantly related (r=0.523; P<0.01) and linear regression analysis for neighborhood victimization and juvenile offending revealed a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.219 implying that 21.9%% of the variance in juvenile offending in Kakamega County was a result of neighborhood victimization. In addition, it was revealed from findings of the study that institutional victimization and juvenile offending were significantly related (r=0.509; P<0.01) and linear regression between institutional victimization and juvenile offending revealed a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.197 meaning that 19.7% of the variance in juvenile offending in Shikusa Borstal Institution was as a result of childhood victimization. In light of the study findings, it was concluded that childhood victimization had a significant effect on juvenile offending, where different forms of victimization experiences have different effect on juvenile offending In Shikusa Borstal Institution Kakamega County. The study recommends implementation of family-based interventions targeting childhood victimization risk factors, engage community support for at-risk youth, and adopt evidence-based interventions in schools to combat victimization. This study's findings expand knowledge on childhood victimization and juvenile offending, offering valuable insights for policymakers in Kenya and beyond.