GAY AND LESBIAN COALITION OF KENYA

GALCK has been conducting a project titled: The Envisioning Global LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Human Rights Project that will document and analyze criminalization of LGBT people, flight from violence and persecution, resistance to criminalization, and Interaction between International Human Rights Mechanisms and LGBT rights initiatives.

The envisioning project has been in recording progress since the research and video workshop held at GALCK from the 14^th to the 16^th of May with the first major assignment being on 17^th May when the team recorded the IDAHO celebrations in collaboration with the Canada team that facilitated the research video workshop for GALCKs and SMUGs Envisioning teams.

Following an Investigation into the Sexual Harassment Allegations conducted from 2nd July 2012 to 3^rd July 2012, facts have been established that can now be shared with the entire community. From the findings, the following actions have been taken. Please note that a full report with sensitive information has been disseminated to concerned parties.

i.) Indeed the house guest was not in the safe house and was staying at the marshal personal home from Tuesday 26^th June until Monday 2^nd July 2012 where she would at times partake of house hold chores.

ii.)There have been allegations of sexual advancements by the marshal reported by the house guest of which the marshal denies and alleges that he was the recipient of.

iii.)There is still need to provide an environment at the safe house that is sensitive to the varying and unique needs of the entire spectrum of the LGBTI persons at GALCK’s custody.

iv.)GALCK is immediately and urgently reviewing the management of the safe house in line with the safe house and litigation policy. In the meantime, the house guest is under safe custody of the TEA.

v.)In accordance with the existing HR and Safe House and Litigation Policies, gross misconduct has been found and will result in summary dismissal as the initial part of disciplinary procedure.

GALCK has this afternoon received complaints of sexual harassment from one of our safe house guests. Investigations have been ongoing since the complaint was lodged and we shall be giving a statement at the end of a Rapid Response Investigation by 12pm Tuesday, 3rd July 2012. We would like to assure the community that the matter is being dealt with serious attention. The comfort of our house guest(s) is of the utmost importance and we shall not let this matter rest till its conclusion.

As we strive towards a more formidable movement, we reaffirm our commitment to move forward with those of us who subscribe to basic ethical and professional standards.