A year marked by expanded support for survivors and children in the justice system is detailed in the Judiciary’s latest annual review, which highlights a rise in sexual and child-related offences handled by courts across the country.
The State of the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice Report for 2024–2025 outlines how improved reporting channels, trained personnel and dedicated spaces shaped the processing of these cases.
According to the report, courts received 31,460 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases during the year, showing a 0.9 per cent rise that the Judiciary connects to growing confidence among survivors. Grievous harm and assault made up most of the filings, contributing close to three-quarters of the total, while matters involving minors accounted for about 19 per cent.
Courts closed 31,880 SGBV matters in the same period, lifting the Case Clearance Rate to 101 per cent from the previous year’s 97 per cent. The Judiciary notes that the improved rate reflects better coordination in courts that handle defilement, rape and other similar matters, which all posted clearance figures above 100 per cent.
Defilement cases filed were 6,088, while 6,847 were concluded. Rape matters recorded 1,014 filings and 1,058 completed. Sexual assault had 399 incoming cases and 312 concluded. Grievous harm and assault stood at 23,269 filings, with 22,912 finalised. Other sexual offences had 690 filings against 751 concluded.
Even with these achievements, the report observes that unresolved assault, grievous harm and sexual assault matters went up, pointing to the need for better investigations, survivor-focused services and stronger forensic support.
The Judiciary also recorded progress under the Child Justice Strategy, which has widened access to specialised courts for minors and strengthened training for officers who “ensure that cases involving minors are handled with care, professionalism, and sensitivity.” These courts feature private hearing rooms aimed at shielding children and reducing emotional strain.
During the 2024/25 period, magistrates’ courts handled 15,670 children’s matters. Of these, 1,054 involved children in conflict with the law, while 14,616 were cases where children were in contact with the law.
Boys made up 94 per cent of children recorded as being in conflict with the law. Defilement accounted for 268 filings, taking up a quarter of the cases. Stealing contributed 16 per cent, grievous harm 9 per cent and breaking into buildings 8 per cent.
Sexual offences formed 45 per cent of the matters, while theft-related cases made up 25 per cent.
For children in contact with the law, custody and maintenance matters reached 6,609 filings, while care and protection issues were 6,319. The Judiciary says these trends call for stronger diversion programmes, improved psychosocial services and deeper partnerships with agencies responsible for child welfare.
