Mass Media News Coverage of Sexual Assault and Formation of Attitudes towards Rape and Defilement in Majengo Slums, Nairobi

Abstract

Rape and defilement cases in Kenya have reached levels never imagined before. Sexual offences have become a daily occurrence affecting the lives of many women and girls. Public knowledge on crime and justice is largely derived from the mass media. Information transfer can also involve, to a large extent, interpersonal communication. This academic paper examines the influence of media use on knowledge, attitudes and practices of the residents of Majengo slums towards sexual assault. This is because sexual violence is highest in informal settlements. This research contributes to limited research on media's influence on attrition rates in rape and defilement cases. This research also contributes to the literature by expanding knowledge on media treatment of sexual assault in its coverage or lack of it thereof. The study provides the much-needed analysis of the relationship between media consumption and attitudes towards sexual assault, incorporating women and girls who are the most affected survivors. Employing cross tabulations with descriptive statistics (frequencies), the results indicate that television viewing of news has influenced attitudes towards rape and defilement. Radio closely follows as a favorite medium but for music and entertainment. However, the relationship is weak. Furthermore, results also indicate that demographic details are related to one's knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rape and defilement.