Police Differentiated Response to Men and Women Physical Intimate Partner Violence Cases Reported to Police Gender Violence Units in Kiminini Sub-County

Intimate partner violence is a pervasive issue that primarily affects women and men. Police officers play a crucial role in addressing intimate partner violence, specifically within gender units established by the Kenyan government in every police station across the country to address gender-based violations. Despite the presence of these gender units, the incidence of intimate partner violence continues to rise. This study builds upon the principles of family violence and feminist theories to address this issue comprehensively. The objective of the study was to find out the police differentiated response to men and women physical intimate partner violence cases reported to police gender violence units in Kiminini Sub-County. The study utilized a descriptive research design, and the sample size was determined using the Cochran formula. In this regard, the study sampled 185 intimate partner violence survivors, selected through convenient sampling criteria. Participants were selected based on their status as survivors of intimate partner violence, with a preference for those who experienced the incident at least six months prior to the study or have had undergone three cycles of counselling in relevant facilities. Data collection involved questionnaires for intimate partner violence survivors and key informant interviews with police units. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data analysis, while percentages and frequencies were computed for quantitative data. The findings showed that police prioritized the safety of survivors irrespective of gender, tailoring their responses to the urgency and nature of each case without demonstrating a clear gender bias. Interviews revealed that while both men and women received protective interventions, logistical challenges sometimes delayed response times, although the 999-emergency hotline and structured response procedures aimed to ensure timely support for all survivors. The results suggest that in Kiminini Sub-County, police do not explicitly differentiate their responses based on the survivor’s gender but rather focus on the immediate needs and safety of the individual. Based on the research findings, the study recommends a multifaceted approach to address intimate partner violence, emphasizing robust comprehensive training programs for police officers in response to intimate partner violence cases.