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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 12:12 pm
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Results for sexual violence
293 results foundAuthor: Marhia, Natasha Title: Just Representation? Press Reporting and the Reality of Rape Summary: Since its inception in 2003, the Lilith Project, part of Eaves, has monitored and reported upon the press. This has led to an increasing awareness that newspaper reports about sexual violence do not accurately reflect these crimes. Lilith identified a random sample of 136 news articles about rape and sexual assault appearing in mainstream newspapers and on the BBC Online news site during the calendar year 2006 and analysed their content, in relation to the offence(s), perpetrator(s), victim(s) and judicial proceedings, and language used to represent all of the above. Key findings The main finding of the study was the identification of a press construction of rape, perpetrators and victims which is contrary to all research and crime statistics and which has a damaging effect on public perceptions of sexual offences and in turn the reporting of, and conviction rates for, sexual offences. This construction depicts rape as an outdoor crime at the hands of a monstrous or bestial deviant stranger, who may be 'foreign', and uses extreme violence to overpower a victim. In this construction the female victim must be 'proven innocent' through press reporting of her actions before, during and after the attack, including her unimpeachable conduct, valiant resistance, subsequent helplessness and physical and emotional trauma. This finding echoes earlier research in this area. The report also explores new and emerging themes such as the press failing to link individual cases of rape and sexual assault to a wider continuum of violence against women; the press tendency to over-report 'false allegations'; and the use of rape cases involving non-British nationals by the press as a vehicle for mobilising xenophobia. The press construction of rape contrasts with the research evidence in the following ways: - Rape cases which led to a conviction account for 48.5% of news reports about rape, but in reality only 5.7% of reported rapes result in a conviction. - Attacks by strangers account for over half - 54.4% - of press reports about rape, despite the fact that only 8-17% of rapes in the UK are stranger rapes. - The majority - 56% - of rapes are perpetrated by a current or former partner, but these cases are almost invisible in the press, accounting for only 2% of stories about rape. - Although only 13% of rapes take place in public places, these account for 54% of press reports of rape. - The press disproportionately covers rape cases involving excessive additional violence including grievous bodily harm and murder, the use of a weapon or intoxicants, abduction and kidnapping and/or multiple assailants. - Attacks against underage girls are over-reported in the press, while attacks against adult women are under-reported compared with recorded crime statistics. Details: London: Eaves, 2008. 58p. Source: The Lilith Project 2008: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://i4.cmsfiles.com/eaves/2012/04/Just-Representation_press_reporting_the_reality_of_rape-d81249.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://i4.cmsfiles.com/eaves/2012/04/Just-Representation_press_reporting_the_reality_of_rape-d81249.pdf Shelf Number: 117147 Keywords: Mass MediaRapeSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Mossman, Elaine Title: Responding to Sexual Violence: A Review of Literature on Good Practice Summary: This report responds to a request by the Ministry of Women's Affairs to the Crime and Justice Research Centre to conduct a critical literature review outlining international and New Zealand perspectives on good practice for services that respond to adult survivors of sexual violence. With regard to medical, criminal justice, mental health and support systems a different post-assault periods and in relation to diverse social and cultural groups, the specific objectives of this review were to: a) identify and critique good practice models within and across systems, internationally and in New Zealand; b) describe factors that promote good practice within and across systems; and c) identify New Zealand guidelines for dealing with adult victim/survivors of sexual violence. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2009 Source: Crime and Justice Research Centre; University of Wellington Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 117382 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicySexual ViolenceVictims |
Author: Rosay, Andre B. Title: Alaska Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Study Summary: This study identified the characteristics of sexual assault victimizations in Alaska, as recorded by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) in eight cities, with attention to the key factors that impacted victims' gential injury and case legal resolutions. Details: Anchorage, AK: University of Alaska at Anchorage, Justice Center and the Forensic Nurse Services of Anchorage, 2008. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/224520.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/224520.pdf Shelf Number: 113545 Keywords: InjurySexual AssaultsSexual ViolenceVictims |
Author: Darfur Consortium Title: Darfur: Abductions, Sexual Slavery and Forced Labour Summary: Research carried out by Darfur Consortium over the last two years, which included field research in three states of Darfur, has found that Government supported militia, like the Janjaweed and the Popular Defence Forces, together with the Sudanese Armed Forces, have systematically abducted civilians for the purposes of sexual slavery and forced labor as part of the Darfur conflict. This report concludes that there is an urgent need to protect civilians from abductions and other serious human rights violations. It calls on the Government of Sudan to disarm and disband the Janjaweed, the Popular Defence Forces and other militia and to fully cooperate with the United Nations and the African Union in order to address continuing human rights and humanitarian issues in Darfur. Details: Kampala, Uganda: 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: Uganda URL: Shelf Number: 115637 Keywords: AbductionsSexual ViolenceSlavery |
Author: Mossman, Elaine Title: Responding to Sexual Violence: Environmental Scan of New Zealand Agencies Summary: This report presents the findings of an environmental scan of agencies and key informants that respond to victim/survivors of sexual violence. The objectives of the environmental scan were to identify key informants' views on: factors influencing victim/survivors' access to the criminal justice system and non-criminal justice services; victim services' capacity to meet victim/survivors' needs, including gaps in services; victim services' views on what works to promote recovery and resilience; the impact of location on victim/survivors' ability to disclose sexual violence, particularly in respect of the level of services available locally, and have their needs met; police and prosecutors' views on attrition of recorded sexual violation offences and the effect of systemic, organizational and other contextual factors on investigating and prosecuting sexual violence offences. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2009 Source: Crime and Justice Research Center, Victoria University of Wellington Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 117391 Keywords: Criminal Case ProcessingProsecutorsSexual ViolenceVictims |
Author: New Zealand. Ministry of Women's Affairs Title: Restoring Soul: Effective Interventions for Adult Victim/Survivors of Sexual Violence Summary: This report is one of five from the Ministry of Women's Affairs' Sexual Violence Research Project. This overview report combines the findings that emerged from four interrelated research projects and considers the implications from a research perspective. The report focuses on 'what works' for adult survivors of sexual violence. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2009. 89p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: New Zealand URL: Shelf Number: 117772 Keywords: Sexual AbuseSexual ViolenceVictims |
Author: Wang, Shirley Kohsin Title: Rape: How Women, the Community and the Health Sector Respond Summary: This review documents currently available research findings on the perceptions of adult women victims of sexual violence, their responses to incidents of sexual violence, and the types of interventions available to address issues of sexual violence, and to meet various needs of victims in the aftermath of assault. Details: Geneva: World Health Organization, 2007. 127p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117317 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Crago, Anna-Louise Title: Arrest the Violence: Human Rights Abuses Against Sex Workers in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Summary: This report examines police abuse of sex workers in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The report is based on interviews with more than 200 male, female and transgender sex workers between 2007 and 2009 and documents widespread violence and discrimination against them, particularly by state actors. It calls for governments throughout the region to hold police accountable for crimes such as extortion, rape, beatings and other abuse. Details: Budapest: Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network, 2009. 74p. Source: Year: 2009 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118301 Keywords: ProstitutesRapeSex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: French, Brian Title: Experience of Sexual Violence and Abuse: Findings from the 2008/09 Northern Ireland Crime Survey Summary: This bulletin draws on findings from the 2008/09 Northern Ireland Crime Survey, a continuous, representative, personal interview survey of the experiences and perceptions of crime of 3,856 adults living in private households throughout Northern Ireland. The findings present estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence among women and men in Northern Ireland, from childhood to adulthood. It also provides insights into who has been victimized, who the perpetrators were, the context in which the abuse occurred, the impact of the abuse on the lives of those who had been victimized, and the patterns of disclosure of the abuse to others. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Office, Statistics and Research Branch, 2009. 36p. Source: Research and Statistical Bulletin 9/2009 Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117668 Keywords: Crime StatisticsSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceVictimization Surveys |
Author: Sharma, Bhavna Title: Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Brazil Summary: This report provides information and analysis in relation to slavery practices in Brazil, with a particular focus on forced labor in the Amazon, trafficking of people for the labor and sexual exploitation, and child domestic work. Details: London: Anti-Slavery International, 2006. 17p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Brazil URL: Shelf Number: 118365 Keywords: Child LaborChild Sexual Exploitation (Brazil)Human TraffickingSexual Violence |
Author: San Pedro, Paula Title: Sexual Violence in Colombia: Instrument of War Summary: Sexual violence has been employed as a weapon of war by all of the armed groups involved in the half-century-old Colombia conflict. State military forces, paramilitaries and guerrila groups have used sexual violence with the goal of terrorizing communities, using women as instruments to achieve their military objectives. This paper calls for the European Union, and particularly the United Kingdom, to pressure the Colombia government to fulfil its responsibility of protecting the civilian population by putting an end to this situation and punishing those responsible. Details: Washington, DC: Oxfam International, 2009. 32p. Source: Oxfam Briefing Paper Year: 2009 Country: Colombia URL: Shelf Number: 116310 Keywords: Rape (Colombia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Bartels, Susan Title: Now, the World is Without Me: An Investigation of Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: Sexual violence is deeply stigmatized in Congolese culture and many of those affected live in remote or insecure regions. Researchers from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative performed a retrospective cohort study of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital with the specific aim of answering the following outstanding questions: 1) When, where and how are women being attacked and what makes them vulnerable to sexual violence; and 2) How has the rape epidemic in South Kivu evolved over the last five years? Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, 2010. 66p. Source: Year: 2010 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: Shelf Number: 118293 Keywords: RapeSexual Assault (Democratic Republic of Congo)Sexual Violence |
Author: Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies Title: Date Rape Cases Among Young Women: Strategies for Support and Prevention Summary: This report investigates the incidence of data rape among young women in five European countries including Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Malta and Lithuania. The study investigates the incidence of data rape among female students in each participating country; explores the attitudes and experiences of female students regarding date rape; and develops recommendations, policies and strategies for victim support and the prevention of sexual violence and date rape. Details: Nicosia, Cyprus: University of Nicosia Press, 2008. 55p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: Shelf Number: 118535 Keywords: Date RapeRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: Men Who Buy Sex: Who They Buy and What They Know Summary: A sample of 103 men in London, England, who used trafficked and non-trafficked women in prostitution were asked about their experiences and awareness of the sex industry. Almost all (96%) bought sex indoors. Many reported that they were aware of pimping, trafficking and other coercive control over those in massage parlor, brothel, and escort prostitution. These men were frequently aware of the vulnerability and risk factors for entry into prostitution including childhood abuse, lack of alternative job choices, coercive control and homelessness. The men listed effective deterrents to buying sex which included time in prison, public exposure and being issued a Anti-Social Behaviour Order. They described their ambivalence about buying sex and their ambivalence about the nature of their relationships with women. Details: London: EAVES; San Francisco: Prostitution Research & Education, 2009. 32p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117575 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex OffensesSex TraffickingSexual Violence |
Author: Sigsworth, Romi Title: Anyone Can Be a Rapist...: An Overview of Sexual Violence in south Africa Summary: It is no secret that the levels of sexual violence in South Africa are unacceptably high. As a result, the problem of sexual violence in South Africa is a major concern to government and civil society alike. A key question is whether these levels of sexual violence are related to the factors contributing to the high levels of violence more generally in South African society, or whether there are additional factors contributing to this particular form of violence. This report aims to answer these questions by mapping the extent, nature and causes of sexual violence in South Africa in an attempt to understand holistically the scourge of sexual violence in the country, in order to offer a comprehensive range of recommendations to assist in addressing the problem. Details: Johannesburg, South Africa: Center for the STudy of Violence and Reconciliation, 2009. 36p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: South Africa URL: Shelf Number: 118630 Keywords: Rape (South Africa)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Varia, Nisha Title: Slow Reform: Protection of Migrant Domestic Workers in Asia and the Middle East Summary: This report surveys progress in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Singapore, and Malaysia in extending protection to domestic workers under labor laws, reforming immigration sponsorship systems that contribute to abuse, ensuring effective response by police and courts to physical and sexual violence, and allowing civil society and trade unions to organize. The report highlights best government responses and continuing protection gaps and makes detailed recommendations to ensure respect for migrant domestic workers' rights. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2010. 26p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 119143 Keywords: Human RightsMigrant Workers (Asia and Middle East)MigrantsSexual Violence |
Author: Simpson, Gerry Title: Welcome to Kenya: Police Abuse of Somali Refugees Summary: Near Kenya's officially closed border with Somalia, abusive police intercept thousands of mostly women and children asylum seekers fleeing war-torn Somalia every month. Using the clandestine nature of their journey as an excuse to extort and abuse them, police beat and, in some cases, rape them, and deport or detain those who don't pay on false charges of unlawful presence in Kenya. In early 2010, hundreds, if not thousands, of Somalis unable to pay were unlawfully sent back to Somalia. Once in the camps, which only 3 percent of refugees were allowed to leave in 2009, they face further police violence. Police also fail to investigate sexual violence against refugees by other refugees and Kenyan nationals in the camps, leading to a climate of impunity for those responsible. The abuses are the direct result of the country's border closure and the related closure of a refugee transit center near the border which used to provide a safe place where most Somalis first sought refuge in Kenya and from where the United Nations previously transported them to camps. Without this transit center, Somalis have become fair game for corrupt police. This report outlines concrete steps Kenya should take to end the abuses and to proactively prevent and respond to sexual violence in the camps. It also calls on the UN refugee agency to improve its monitoring of abuses and to increase its advocacy with the authorities to end them. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2010. 94p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Kenya URL: Shelf Number: 119109 Keywords: AliensAsylumPolice CorruptionRapeRefugeesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Confronting the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Africa Summary: The reports presented in this Journal examine the achievements made in recent years in the fight against sexual violence and exploitation of children in Africa. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2007. 53p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2007 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 119222 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual ExploitationSex TourismSexual Violence |
Author: Jones, Nicola Title: Painful Lessons: The Politics of Prevention Sexual Violence and Bullying at School Summary: This paper seeks to identify policies, programmes and legal instruments that address school violence in the developing world and to draw implications for policy, practice and research. Details: London; Overseas Development Institute; Woking, UK: Plan International, 2008. 81p. Source: Internet Resource; Working Paper 295 Year: 2008 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 114751 Keywords: BullyingSchool CrimeSchool ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: Harrell, Margaret C. Title: A Compendium of Sexual Assault Research Summary: This volume summarizes recent studies on sexual assault that are deemed useful and relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and other policymakers interested in sexual assault issues. Entries include a brief overview of the prevalence and effects of sexual assault, and of important events and laws pertaining to sexual assault in both the civilian and military sectors. The compendium's annotated bibliography includes summaries of more than 450 studies of sexual assault. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2009. 319p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2009/RAND_TR617.pdf Shelf Number: 117555 Keywords: Date RapeRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA, UK) Title: Practice Advice on Investigating Stalking and Harassment Summary: Investigations relating to harassment can be linked to some of the most serious crimes that the police deal with including murder, sexual offences and domestic abuse. Effective police responses to crimes related to harassment can have a direct impact on improving public satisfaction and confidence in the criminal justice system and bringing offenders to justice. This document provides strategic and operational advice for reporting, responding to and investigating harassment. (Excerpts from Document) Details: Wyboston, UK: Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Policing Improvement Agency, 2009. 78p. Source: Interet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Stalking_and_Harassment.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Stalking_and_Harassment.pdf Shelf Number: 117751 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsDomestic AbuseHarassmentSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: New Zealand. Task Force for Action on Sexual Violence Title: Te Toiora Mata Tauherenga: Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence Incorporating the Views of Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together Summary: In July 2007, in response to public outcry about the acquittals in the rape trial involving Louise Nicholas and action by Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) a Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence (TASV) was established. This report presents 71 recommendations to the government to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Details: Wellington, NZ: New Zealand Ministry of Justice, 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2010 at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/tasv-report-full Year: 0 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/tasv-report-full Shelf Number: 119663 Keywords: Rape (New Zealand)Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Keesbury, Jill Title: Comprehensive Responses to Gender Based Violence in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons Learned from Implementation Summary: From 2006-2009, the Population Council undertook a program of technical assistance and research to strengthen the evidence base on gender-based violence (SGBV) programming in sub-Saharan Africa. This project created an active network of implementers and researchers across sub-Saharan Africa, all of whom were charged with developing, implementing and evaluating core elements of a comprehensive, multisectoral model for strengthening responses for survivors of SGBV, especially survivors of sexual violence. The comprehensive model includes health, criminal justice, and psychosocial services required by survivors, and works to strengthen the linkages between these sectors. Seven organizations in six countries (Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Senegal) partnered with the Population Council to implement the comprehensive model in part or in whole, and an additional thirteen organizations actively participated in the South-South technical assistance network. Based on the experiences of these partners, this document reviews the findings, lessons learned, and promising practices in the provision of comprehensive SGBV services in sub- Saharan Africa. It draws on the data generated by the network partners to identify core issues in the provision of quality, comprehensive care for survivors of SGBV. These findings are intended to serve as a resource for programmers and policymakers throughout the region, and contribute to the emerging evidence-base on such program strategies. Details: Lusaka, Zambia: Population Council, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2010 at: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2010RH_CompRespGBV.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2010RH_CompRespGBV.pdf Shelf Number: 119690 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Breaking the Silence: Sexual Violence in Cambodia Summary: Reports of women and girls being raped are on the increase in Cambodia. Amid a culture of impunity, victims have limited access to justice and the acute lack of medical services and psychological support reflects social attitudes to rape and other sexual violence. This report exposes how corruption and discrimination within the police and courts prevent survivors of rape from receiving justice and the necessary assistance. Amnesty International calls on the Cambodian government to firmly address inadequate law enforcement, extrajudicial settlements, weak prosecution and widespread corruption in cases of suspected sexual violence. Details: London: Amnesty International Publications, 2010. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 9, 2010 at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA23/001/2010/en/17ebf558-95f0-4cf8-98c1-3f052ffb9603/asa230012010en.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA23/001/2010/en/17ebf558-95f0-4cf8-98c1-3f052ffb9603/asa230012010en.pdf Shelf Number: 118417 Keywords: RapeSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Overseas Development Institute Title: Increasing Visibility and Promoting Policy Action to Tackle Sexual Exploitation In and Around Schools in Africa Summary: Sexual exploitation and sexual violence in or around schools is a serious and pressing problem throughout West Africa2 that necessitates greater policy attention. In a global report on all settings (not just schools), the World Health Organization estimates that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence around the world. This, combined with the fact that such violence is generally carried out by offenders known to the child (relatives and authority figures, including teachers and school authorities), provides a hint of the magnitude of the problem of school-based sexual violence. Examining what little quantitative information exists for West Africa reinforces this. According to a 2006 survey of 10 villages in Benin, 34% of school children interviewed confirmed that sexual violence occurs within their schools and 15% of teachers acknowledged that sexual harassment takes place within the school and yet rarely are such incidences reported or perpetrators held accountable. In Ghana, a study conducted in 2003 suggested that 6% of the girls surveyed had been victims of sexual blackmail over their class grades, 14% of rape cases had been perpetrated by school comrades, while 24% of boys in the study admitted to having raped a girl or to have taken part in a collective rape (UNICEF Bureau Regional Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre 2008). As the 2006 United Nations Study on Violence against Children (hereafter UNVAC) demonstrated, the long-term consequences of such high incidence of sexual abuse and exploitation are profound; above all sexual exploitation at and around schools compromises the rights to education, freedom from oppression and equality as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. For girls, sexual exploitation also undermines gender equality and prevents girls and women from obtaining equal educational and public sphere opportunities - as outlined in Millennium Development Goal (MDG). Being denied access to quality education, or feeling intimidated in or en route to the classroom, can also reinforce poverty by lowering school attendance rates. This not only threatens the achievement of MDG 2 (universal primary education) (Action Aid 2004), but also in the longer term risks lowering human development levels and potential contributions to broader national development goals as students are discouraged from pursing their studies and thereby progressing to higher education and qualified employment. Sexual abuse may also result in serious health effects, such as the transmission of sexual infections, particularly HIV, unwanted pregnancies and psychological trauma. This briefing paper seeks to raise awareness of the problem of sexual exploitation in and around schools in the West African region. It also highlights problems with regards to limited evidence and explores policy implications. It aims to support Plan’s regional ‘Learn Without Fear’ campaign and contributes evidence to the global debate on sexual exploitation in and around schools and children in general. Details: Dakar, Ponty, West Africa: Plan International, 2008. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2010 at: http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/Rapport_plan_LWF_web_(3).pdf Year: 2008 Country: Africa URL: http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/Rapport_plan_LWF_web_(3).pdf Shelf Number: 119831 Keywords: RapeSchool CrimeSchool ViolenceSexual ExploitationSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Letourneau, Elizabeth J. Title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sex Offender Registration and Notification Policies for Reducing Sexual Violence Against Women Summary: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of one state’s sex offender registration and notification policy in reducing sexual violence. The problem of sexual violence is a national legislative priority as evidenced by numerous sex offender-specific policies enacted at the federal level over the past 15 years. Specifics vary among states regarding criminal justice responses to sex offending, but all such policies have as their primary goals the prevention of sexual violence and the reduction of sexual re-offending. The present study examined the effects of comprehensive registration and community notification policies on rates of sexual violence in South Carolina. Specifically, the present study proposed to evaluate whether broad sex offender registration and notification policies have reduced recidivism or deterred new sexual offenses. Additionally, this study proposed to examine whether unintended effects of broad registration and notification policies have occurred. Of note, the present study focused almost exclusively on the effects of registration and notification as pertains to offenses committed by adults. Given that registration and notification policies often target juveniles adjudicated delinquent as minors, the investigative team has been involved in separate research pertaining to the effects of these policies as pertains to juveniles. This study examined whether the introduction of sex offender registration and notification laws in South Carolina were associated with reductions in sexual crimes and, if so, whether this reduction could be attributed to an actual reduction in sexual violence and/or recidivism (i.e., an intended effect) or to changes in criminal judicial processing of individuals for registry crimes (i.e., an unintended effect). In the context of this project, “sex offender” typically refers to anyone with one or more sex crime convictions. Specific sex crime charges are listed in Table 1 and include contact and noncontact offenses against children and adults. Specific study aims included: (1) To examine whether South Carolina registration and notification policies have the intended effect of preventing first time sexual offending; (2) To examine whether South Carolina registration and notification policies have the intended effect of reducing sexual recidivism for known sex offenders; and (3) To examine whether South Carolina registration and notification policies have the unintended effect of reducing the probability that individuals who commit sexual crimes will be prosecuted or convicted for such crimes. In addition to these primary aims, we also investigated (4) whether registration violations (e.g., failure to register) were associated with sexual or general recidivism. Details: Charleston, SC: Medical University of South Carolina, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/231989.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/231989.pdf Shelf Number: 119926 Keywords: RecidivismSex Offender RegistrationSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Arieff, Alexis Title: Sexual Violence in African Conflicts Summary: Civilians in Africa’s conflict zones — particularly women and children, but also men — are often vulnerable to sexual violence, including rape, mutilation, and sexual slavery, carried out by government security forces and non-state actors, including, rebel groups, militias, and criminal organizations. Some abuses appear to be opportunistic, or the product of a larger breakdown in the rule of law and social order that may occur amid conflict. However, sexual violence has also been employed by combatant groups as a tool of war, seemingly designed to wreak damage on entire communities. While such abuses are by no means limited to Africa, weak justice systems in many African states can mean that victims have little legal redress; survivors are also often shunned by their families and communities. Sexual atrocities have been reported in many African conflicts over the past two decades, including in Burundi, Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. The issue has been particularly salient in eastern DRC, where security forces, rebel organizations, militias, and other armed groups have inflicted sexual violence upon the civilian population on a massive scale. This report provides a detailed case study of DRC and an index of active U.S. programs there. Multiple U.S. government agencies and implementing partners contribute to efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence in African conflicts. Agencies and departments include the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense, among others. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has taken the lead on the Obama Administration’s initiative to address the issue, through speeches, official travel, public remarks, writings, and actions at the United Nations. In August 2009, Clinton traveled to Goma, in eastern DRC, where she pledged $17 million to support U.S. government efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in that country. The pledge includes $10 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for “programs and activities to assist victims of gender-based violence” in DRC provided by the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-32). The 111th Congress has repeatedly expressed interest in the issue of sexual violence in African conflicts and support for programs to address it through legislation, hearings, and other congressional actions. Potential issues for Congress include the authorization and appropriation of targeted assistance programs; oversight of Administration and multilateral policies; and oversight of coordination between U.S. government agencies and international donors. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2009. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS Report to Congress, R40956: Accessed October 13, 2010 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40956.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40956.pdf Shelf Number: 119929 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual SlaverySexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Townsend, Stephanie M. Title: Sexual Violence Research Initiative: Report of Evaluation Findings Summary: The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is a global project that promotes research on sexual violence in order to improve policy and service delivery. This report presents an external evaluation of the SVRI and details the methods and findings of that evaluation. Using archival review and key informant interviews, the evaluation assessed key progress indicators and six dimensions of the SVRI's performance: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, institutional development, complementarity, and sustainability. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 18, 2010 at: http://www.svri.org/Evaluation2010Report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/Evaluation2010Report.pdf Shelf Number: 119967 Keywords: Sexual ViolenceVictims ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Isikozlu, Elvan Title: Towards a Typology of Wartime Rape Summary: This brief presents the progress to date in developing a typology of wartime rape as a first step toward understanding the different consequences of this form of violence in war. This publication focuses solely on wartime rape perpetrated by armed groups against civilians, though this form of violence is perpetrated more widely by, and against, different actors during war. The wider perpetration of rape against other actors is not presented in this brief, but is nevertheless included in the The Typology is a product of two phases of research: a) an initial phase (November 2008–May 2009) where a preliminary typology was created based on an examination of two country cases of wartime rape: Bosnia and Herzegovina, and El Salvador; and b) a second phase (September 2009–May 2010) where the typology was refined according to data collected from a review of the literature on ten additional country cases of wartime rape (Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea/ Bougainville, Peru, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Timor Leste). The Typology was designed on the basis of a definition of wartime, which includes a myriad of war dynamics that surround and influence the perpetration of rape, and which can be organized into the following ‘themes’: type of conflict in which wartime rape occurs; characteristics of the armed group; motivations for the rape; characteristics of the rapist; characteristics of the raped person; and characteristics of the rape. Details: Bonn, Germany: Bonn International Center for Conversion, 2010. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: BICC Brief 43: Accessed October 19, 2010 at: http://www.bicc.de/uploads/pdf/publications/briefs/brief43/brief43.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.bicc.de/uploads/pdf/publications/briefs/brief43/brief43.pdf Shelf Number: 120012 Keywords: RapeSexual Violence |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Review Panel on Prison Rape Title: Report on Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Correctional Facilities Summary: Based on survey data and public hearings this report spotlights a total of six juvenile correctional facilities -- three with the lowest rates of sexual victimization, and three with the highest. The report contains observations and recommendations to assist both practitioners and advocates in the juvenile justice community to eliminate sexual victimization in the nation's juvenile correctional facilities. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2010. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reviewpanel/pdfs/panel_report_101014.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reviewpanel/pdfs/panel_report_101014.pdf Shelf Number: 120083 Keywords: Juvenile CorrectionsPrison RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM): United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations Title: Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice Summary: Despite increased attention to the women, peace and security agenda since the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325 in October 2000, major analytical and implementation gaps remain. One such gap is the effort to combat conflict-related sexual violence — the premise of subsequent Security Council resolutions 1820 and 1888 — and the potential of uniformed peacekeepers to help fight such violence. Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence — An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice captures best practices and emerging elements for a more effective response by peacekeepers to women’s security concerns. From initiating firewood patrols in Darfur to establishing market escorts, night patrols and early-warning systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the document catalogues direct and indirect efforts to combat sexual violence during and in the wake of war. While the focus of this publication is on the practical methods by which military, police and civilian peacekeepers can prevent sexual violence, it is also part of a broader agenda to improve the capacities of peacekeepers to protect civilians effectively. Details: New York: United Nations, 2010. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 29, 2010 at: http://www.unifem.org/attachments/products/Analytical_Inventory_of_Peacekeeping_Practice_online.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.unifem.org/attachments/products/Analytical_Inventory_of_Peacekeeping_Practice_online.pdf Shelf Number: 120126 Keywords: Female Victims of CrimeRapeSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Solhjell, Randi Title: Protecting Civilians Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Eastern Chad Summary: Chad has consistently ranked near the bottom of the Human Development Index. Over the past decade it has experienced the effects of domestic disputes, political instability and growing rebel activity, spillover from the Darfur crisis and the proxy war between government of Sudan and Chad, and widespread violence in the northern Central African Republic (CAR). The consequences have included an influx of refugees from Darfur and CAR seeking protection in neighbouring Chad and an increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Although fighting has diminished in recent years, the high number of refugees and IDPs as well as banditry groups and the proliferation of arms continue to pose great security risks. This report focuses on the protection of civilians, especially in terms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the Chadian police/ gendarme force Détachment Intégré de Securité (DIS), the potential for early recovery and the prospects of protection provided by the government of Chad after the withdrawal of MINURCAT. Dealing with SGBV involves improving security and is an important element in the humanitarian imperative to protect civilians under the auspices of international humanitarian law and international human rights. In June 2008, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 1820. The resolution aims at ending sexual violence in conflict, and states: ‘rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide’. It is the result of a much broader agenda to mainstream gender perspectives at all levels of the UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations and peace negations since the adoption of UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, of which Resolution 1820 is a strengthened prolongation. Details: Oslo: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 2010. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 29, 2010 at: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/NUPI_ProtectingCivilians AgainstSexualandGender-BasedViolenceinEasternChad.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Chad URL: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/NUPI_ProtectingCivilians AgainstSexualandGender-BasedViolenceinEasternChad.pdf Shelf Number: 120127 Keywords: RapeSex CrimeSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: TNS Opinion & Social Title: Domestic Violence Against Women Summary: The aim of this survey is to measure the evolution of European public opinion concerning domestic violence against women since 1999, which can be seen as the starting point for collecting information about the public’s view on this important problem. Evolutions are particularly interesting to study considering the changing legal context over the past ten years. The first important message that comes out of the study is the rising awareness of Europeans. The survey also shows broad support for EU action in this area. - 98% of people are now aware of domestic violence across the EU compared to 94% in the previous survey. - Awareness of domestic violence against women is very high across the EU, thanks to media such as television (92%), newspapers and magazines (59%) informing the vast majority of EU citizens about the problem. - Domestic violence remains very common: one respondent in four across the EU knows a woman among friends or in the family circle who is a victim of domestic violence. Since the previous survey, the proportion of Europeans (on a comparable EU15 basis) that say they know a victim of domestic violence in their circle of friends or family has increased from 19% to 25%. - One person in five knows of someone who commits domestic violence in their circle of friends and family (21%). - Women are more likely than men to know a woman who has suffered from domestic violence. They are also more likely than men to be aware of people who commit this crime, and more likely to view the problem seriously and to advocate tougher penalties for those responsible. - 78% of Europeans recognise that domestic violence is a common problem. - Attitudes to domestic violence have generally become much tougher, with far more people (86%, up from 63% for the EU15) now saying that domestic violence is unacceptable and should always be punishable by law. In the European Union as a whole, 84% consider that domestic violence is unacceptable and should always be punishable by law. - Sexual and physical violence are seen as the most serious forms of violence suffered by women with 85% of respondents in both cases considering that these are “very serious”. - There is strong support for EU involvement in eradicating domestic violence against women (87% of respondents feel that the EU should probably or definitely be involved). - However, while most people believe that laws are in place to prevent domestic violence, very few (14%) are familiar with specific EU measures to tackle the problem. Details: Brussels: European Commission, 2010. 222p. Source: Internet Resource: Special Eurobarometer 344: Accessed October 29, 2010 at: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_344_en.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Europe URL: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_344_en.pdf Shelf Number: 120132 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolencePublic OpinionSexual ViolenceVictims of Family Violence, Services forViolence Against Women |
Author: Pereznieto, Paola Title: The Economic Impact of School Violence: A Report for Plan International Summary: The research, carried out by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), reveals the enormous economic and social cost of violence in schools across the world. Focused on three types of violence in schools – corporal punishment, bullying and sexual violence – it found the total cost of school violence in terms of social benefits lost in just 13 countries for which information is available ran to almost $60 billion. The research found that children who experience violence at school are likely to earn less, be in greater need of healthcare and other services, and long-term, contribute less to their countries’ economies. It says that the problem is a significant barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals - as it leads to truancy, under-performance and high drop-out rates. No country is immune from the blight of school violence and eradicating it takes commitment and resources. But failing to invest in it costs considerably more. Details: London: Plan International and Overseas Development Institute, 2010. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2010 at: http://plan-international.org/learnwithoutfear/economic-impact-of-school-violence-report Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://plan-international.org/learnwithoutfear/economic-impact-of-school-violence-report Shelf Number: 120166 Keywords: BullyingCorporal PunishmentEconomics of CrimeSchool CrimeSchool ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: Antonowicz, Laetitia Title: Too Often in Silence: A Report on School-Based Violence in West and Central Africa Summary: Corporal punishment, sexual violence and bullying are some of the areas explored in this joint report by Plan, ActionAid, Save the Children Sweden and UNICEF on school-based violence in West and Central Africa. Aimed at policy makers, education and child protection programmers, as well as educators, children and communities, the report: looks at the context and causes of violence in and around schools, its nature, and its impact on students - and more broadly on communities and nations; synthesises evidence on the prevalence, frequency and intensity of school-based violence; and proposes key actions to tackle the problem. Although countries in West and Central Africa have ratified international conventions that protect children’s rights to non-violent education, national provisions to fulfill these rights are often inadequate. The report gives a set of recommendations to strengthen and accelerate interventions against violence in schools across the region. Details: Yorr, Dakar-Senegal: UNICEF West and Central African Regional Office; Dakar Ponty, Senegal, Plan West Africa: Regional Office; Dakar-Fann, Senegal: Save the Children Sweden: Regional Office for West Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa: ActionAid International, 2010. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2010 at: http://plan-international.org/files/global/publications/campaigns/Too_often_in_silence_English.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: http://plan-international.org/files/global/publications/campaigns/Too_often_in_silence_English.pdf Shelf Number: 120167 Keywords: BullyingCorporal PunishmentSchool CrimeSchool ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: Providing Anonymity to Those Accused of Rape: An Asessment of Evidence Summary: This report brings together findings from previous reviews and primary research studies as well as statistics to present a summary of evidence relevant to the issue of whether or not to provide anonymity to those accused of rape. It examines a number of key areas to determine whether the likely impact of anonymity can be identified from existing evidence. These include: the legal position on anonymity in rape cases; reporting and investigation of rape; false allegations; convictions and offending histories; and media coverage of criminal cases. Findings will be of wider interest to those concerned with criminal justice policy, the offence of rape and violence against women and girls. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. Source: Internet Resource: Ministry of Justice Research Series 20/10: Accessed December 1, 2010 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/anonymity-rape-research-report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/anonymity-rape-research-report.pdf Shelf Number: 120330 Keywords: RapeRapists (UK)Sex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Firmin, Carlene Title: Female Voice in Violence Project: A Study Into the Impact of Serious Youth and Gang Violence on Women and Girls Summary: The Female Voice in Violence Project report draws on face-to-face research with 352 friends, relatives, victims or perpetrators of gangs and gang violence. Ranging in age from 13-52, the experiences of these women and girls highlight lessons for policy makers and those working to prevent serious youth violence. The research highlighted concerns about the lack of appropriate services available to those females caught up in gangs, the use of sexual violence by gang members, and the impact of serious violence on their sexual and mental health. It highlights ways of supporting women and girls to exit the lifestyle and culture of serious violence - whether as sisters, mothers or girlfriends of gang members, or gang members themselves. The role of local, regional and national policy in supporting this agenda is also examined. Details: London: Race on the Agenda (ROTA), 2010. 136p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2010 at: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/FVV%20PARTNERSHIP%20REPORT%20FINAL_no%20case%20studies.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rota.org.uk/downloads/FVV%20PARTNERSHIP%20REPORT%20FINAL_no%20case%20studies.pdf Shelf Number: 120403 Keywords: Female Gang MembersGang ViolenceGangs (U.K.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Falu, Ana, ed. Title: Women in the City: On Violence and Rights Summary: The texts included in this volume are adaptations of presentations given by participants in the Second International Seminar of the Regional Programme ‘Cities without Violence against Women, Safe Cities for All’, which was held in Buenos Aires from July 23 to 25, 2008. The goals of the Seminar were the following: to provide a space for continued reflection and knowledge-sharing regarding violence in cities from a gender perspective, to facilitate dialogue between a diversity of actors in order to broaden and deepen proposals, to generate results reflective of the conceptual debates underway and to develop new strategies for action in the region. Details: Santiago, Chile: Women and Habitat Network of Latin America/Ediciones SUR, 2010. 177p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 14, 2010 at: http://www.redmujer.org.ar/pdf_publicaciones/art_40.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Central America URL: http://www.redmujer.org.ar/pdf_publicaciones/art_40.pdf Shelf Number: 120493 Keywords: Intimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Latin America)Violent Crime |
Author: Alves, Maria Domingas Fernandes Title: Baseline Study on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Bobonaro and Covalima Summary: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a world wide phenomenon existing in all countries with power, domination and control, mainly by men, the primary cause. Factors contributing to its prevalence include conflict and post conflict situations, economic, social, cultural and geographic factors. Its existence reflects the inequality between men and women, and it is mostly women who are affected, with mostly men as offenders. SGBV can be perpetrated by intimate partners, family members and friends, as well as strangers. Many studies on sexual and gender-based violence have been conducted in Timor- Leste since 1999 by national and international organizations examining the prevalence, incidence, cultural context and legal mechanisms available to resolve individual cases, and prevent further SGBV. These have been reviewed by the research team for this study. Current information in Timor-Leste indicates that SGBV is the largest category of crimes reported to police. To respond to this problem the UNIFEM programme “Supporting Community-Led Initiatives of Women’s Engagement in Peace Building and Prevention of Sexual Violence”, collaborated with the Asia-Pacific Support Collective Timor-Leste (APSCTL) to conduct a study in 2007 to contribute to the evidence base of research already conducted. It was decided to conduct a pilot study as a bench mark in two border districts of Timor-Leste, Bobonaro and Covalima to provide more evidence to inform strategies to respond to, reduce and ultimately prevent sexual and gender-based violence. Details: Bangkok: UNIFEM East-Asia, 2009. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 15, 2010 at: http://unifem-eseasia.org/docs/SGBV_Baseline_study_Report_English_version.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Asia URL: http://unifem-eseasia.org/docs/SGBV_Baseline_study_Report_English_version.pdf Shelf Number: 117818 Keywords: Battered WomenDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Timor-Leste) |
Author: Bjorndahl, Ulla Title: Fair Game: A Survey of the Violence Experienced by Women Working as Prostitutes Summary: This is a report on the violence, threats and harassment faced by women working as prostitutes. The respondents to the survey were women who were in touch with one or more of the welfare service providers for women who have worked as prostitutes in Oslo. The main findings of the survey show that many of the respondents have experienced violence. Two thirds of the women stated that they had experienced violence, threats and harassment within or outside prostitution. Half of the respondents reported suffering prostitution-related violence, whilst half also stated that they had experienced non-prostitution-related violence. Over a third of respondents had experienced prostitution-related violence in the past year. One important finding is that the women had experienced more non-prostitution related than prostitution-related violence. The violence suffered by the women can be described as serious, and in many cases very serious. Where the violence was prostitution-related, the perpetrator was generally a new client or another stranger. In the case of respondents who had suffered non-prostitution-related violence, the perpetrator was generally their partner, but in some cases an acquaintance or stranger. The women who reported most violence were the ones who stated that they were addicted to drugs or alcohol. It is important to note that this survey shows the prevalence of violence against women who have worked as prostitutes. These women experience significantly more violent episodes than the general population. However, violent episodes are not part of their everyday experience as prostitutes. If you look at the number of client contacts (e.g. five a day, five days a week) relative to the number of violent episodes (between one and three over the time that they have worked as a prostitute), violence is very much the exception and not the rule when selling sex. Nevertheless, many women working as prostitutes are probably constantly in fear of violence. This report only presents some of the findings of the survey. In the long run, Pro Sentret would like to publish further reports based on the remaining material, which is both comprehensive and wide-ranging. Areas to look at would include the national and cultural variations in the responses. Details: Oslo: Pro Sentret, 2008. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 16, 2010 at: http://www.prosenteret.no/images/stories/prostitusjon/Fair%20Game.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Norway URL: http://www.prosenteret.no/images/stories/prostitusjon/Fair%20Game.pdf Shelf Number: 120531 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sexual Violence |
Author: Guerino, Paul Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2007-2008 Summary: This report examines 2007 and 2008 data from the Survey of Sexual Violence (SSV). Conducted since 2004, the SSV is an annual collection of official records on incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual victimization. This report presents counts of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported to correctional authorities in adult prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities. Appendix tables include counts of sexual victimization, by type, for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, all state systems, and surveyed jail jurisdictions. An in-depth examination of substantiated incidents is also presented, covering the number and characteristics of victims and perpetrators, location, time of day, nature of the injuries, impact on the victims, and sanctions imposed on the perpetrators. Highlights include the following: Correctional administrators reported 7,444 allegations of sexual victimization in 2008 and 7,374 allegations in 2007. About 54% of substantiated incidents of sexual victimization involved only inmates, while 46% of substantiated incidents involved staff with inmates. Female inmates were disproportionately victimized by both other inmates and staff in federal and state prisons, as well as local jails. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: BJS Special Report: Accessed February 2, 2011 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0708.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0708.pdf Shelf Number: 120662 Keywords: InmatesJailsPrison RapePrisoners, Sexual VictimizationPrisonsSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Robinson, Catherine Title: Rough Living: Surviving Violence and Homelessness Summary: Rough Living: Surviving Violence and Homelessness reveals the ways in which intense chains of disadvantage incorporating homelessness are triggered by very early experiences of violence. Drawing on biographic interviews with 6 men and 6 women, the project bears witness not only to horrendous repeated experiences of physical and sexual violence but discusses what may be understood as related multi-dimensional vulnerability in areas such as physical and mental health, education, employment and social connectedness. A picture of the long-term cycles of violent victimisation and homelessness and their compounding traumatising effects are made clear and the importance of trauma-informed service delivery is outlined as a key way forward. Details: Sydney: UTSePress - University of Technology Sydney, 2010. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: UTS Shopfront Monograph Series, No. 6: Accessed February 2, 2011 at: http://www.piac.asn.au/sites/default/files/news/attachments/Rough_Living.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.piac.asn.au/sites/default/files/news/attachments/Rough_Living.pdf Shelf Number: 120667 Keywords: Discrimination Against the HomelessHomelessness (Australia)Sexual ViolenceViolence |
Author: European Commission Title: Violence Against Women and the Role of Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and Health Strategies Summary: The purpose of this study is to provide a systematic analysis and insight into the social aspects of violence against women, considering all types of violence (e.g. physical, psychological and sexual) and focusing primarily on analysis of gender equality, social inclusion and health strategies, as well as the action plans available to combat violence, and paying specific attention to the three angles of prevention, treatment, and reintegration of victims into society. The goal is to present a clear picture of what takes place in these domains within the 27 Member States, the three EEA/EFTA countries and the three candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey). The information in this report was mainly provided by the national experts of the EGGSI network of experts in gender equality, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care. The report is organised in three chapters: the first summarises the main features of violence against women in Europe. The second chapter gives an overview of policies addressing violence against women from the perspective of prevention, support for the victim and social reintegration. The final chapter presents some general conclusions. Details: Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2011 at: ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=6336&langId=en Year: 2010 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 120721 Keywords: Battered WomenSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Flood, Michael Title: Where Men Stand: Men's Roles in Ending Violence Against Women Summary: This report maps where men stand in relation to violence against women. It describes how many men use violence against women, what men think about violence against women, and what role men can and do play in reducing and preventing this violence. Above all, this report is guided by the fundamental belief that men can play a positive role in preventing men’s violence against women. The report has been commissioned by the White Ribbon Foundation, whose mission is to prevent violence against women in Australia. The Foundation maintains the White Ribbon Campaign, centered on promoting men’s positive roles in preventing violence against women. The report offers good news. Most men see violence against women as unacceptable, and men’s attitudes have improved over time. Increasing numbers of men are taking part in efforts to end violence against women. Educational and other prevention strategies directed at men and boys can make a positive difference. And male involvement is on the policy agenda. At the same time, the report also details the bad news. Most men know that domestic violence and sexual assault are wrong, but men have done little to reduce this violence in their lives, families and communities. A significant minority of men hold violence-supportive attitudes, particularly those with more conservative attitudes towards gender in general. Men rarely take action to challenge the violence-supportive beliefs and behaviours they encounter from peers and others. Too many men believe common myths about violence, have ignored women’s fears and concerns about their safety, and have stayed silent in the face of other men’s violence-supportive attitudes and behaviours. There are important barriers to men’s involvement in anti-violence work. And violence prevention work with men and boys remains small and scattered, although its momentum and sophistication are growing. Details: Sydney: White Ribbon Foundation, 2010. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 9, 2011 at: White Ribbon Prevention Research Series, No. 2: http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/media/documents/WR%20PR%20Series%20Flood%20Report%20No%202%20Nov%202010%20full%20report%20final%2011.10.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/media/documents/WR%20PR%20Series%20Flood%20Report%20No%202%20Nov%202010%20full%20report%20final%2011.10.pdf Shelf Number: 120738 Keywords: Abusive MenBattered WomenDomestic ViolenceMale BatterersSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Australia) |
Author: Stalans, Loretta J. Title: Assessing the Risk of Sexual and Violent Recidivism and Identifying Differences in Risk Factors: Comparing Probation Supervised and Released Imprisoned Sex Offenders Summary: The management of sex offenders’ risk of committing sex crimes is of paramount importance to the criminal justice system. Criminal justice and treatment professionals assess risk of sexual recidivism using validated risk assessment tools such as the Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offender Recidivism (RRASOR), the Structured Anchored Clinical Judgment- Minimum Version (SACJ-min), the STATIC-99, and the STATIC-2002. However, these scales were created using data primarily from sex offenders released from prison or institutions for dangerous sexual predators. Moreover, although these scales are more accurate than clinical or professional judgment, their accuracy still is only modest and needs improvement. The aim of this research was to identify risk factors and how to combine risk factors to improve standardized risk assessment tools. The driving assumption of the current work was that sex offenders sentenced to probation and sex offenders released from prison are very different on important criminal history, offense, mental health, and social characteristics related to risk of sexual recidivism. Therefore if these two populations are different the current assessment scales used may not be appropriate for probation populations or may not predict well certain subgroups of sex offenders such as sex offenders who also commit domestic violence against adult intimate partners. Moreover, prior research has never considered how supervision may modify the behavior of sex offenders and change the risk factors that predict sexual recidivism. Are the risk factors for sexual recidivism the same if sex offenders are under probation or parole supervision or are free in the community without any supervision? Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2011. 155p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2011 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Probation_Supervised_Released_Imprisoned_Sex_Offenders_Report_1210.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/Probation_Supervised_Released_Imprisoned_Sex_Offenders_Report_1210.pdf Shelf Number: 120750 Keywords: ParoleProbationRecidivismRisk AssessmentSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Weber, Kasey R. Title: Evaluation of the Colorado Department of Corrections' Prison Rape Elimination Program Summary: The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) implemented the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) program in 2005. Under this program the department has sought to educate staff and offenders, identify potential victims and predators, and employ procedures with which to respond to all sexual incidents involving inmates and staff. The present study aims to evaluate the implementation of the PREA program in the CEDOC and provide feedback about the current operations specifically identifying the strengths of the program as well as areas needing further attention. Details: Colorado Springs, CO: Colorado Department of Corrections, Office of Planning and Analysis, 2009. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 14, 2011 at: http://cospl.coalliance.org/fez/eserv/co:7587/cr11002r182009internet.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://cospl.coalliance.org/fez/eserv/co:7587/cr11002r182009internet.pdf Shelf Number: 120765 Keywords: Male Rape (Colorado)Prison RapePrison ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: Krebs, Christopher P., Lindquist, Christine H. Title: The Historically Black College and University Campus Sexual Assault (HBCU-CSA) Study Summary: Sexual assault has a substantial impact on both victims and society. Victims of sexual assault may suffer both immediate and long-term physical and mental health consequences, including injury, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Victims of sexual assault report increasing their visits to physicians by 18% the year of the assault, by 56% the year after the assault, and by 31% two years after the assault. Four out of five rape victims subsequently suffer from chronic physical or psychological conditions, and rape victims are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than persons who have not been crime victims and 6 times more likely than victims of other crimes. Overall, rape is believed to carry the highest annual victim cost of any crime: $127 billion (excluding child sex abuse cases). It is followed by assault at $93 billion per year, murder (excluding arson and drunk driving) at $61 billion per year, and child abuse at $56 billion per year. Given the substantial impact that sexual victimization has on individual victims and society, collecting information that advances our understanding of sexual assault, helps us prevent victimization, and better meets the needs of victims is critical. Although a considerable amount of research on sexual violence on college campuses has been conducted, very little of this research has involved historically black college and university (HBCU) students. As a result, there is a substantial gap in the literature and knowledge base about the magnitude of the problem, what is being done to reduce the problem, and what more can be done to prevent sexual violence and meet the needs of victims of sexual assault on HBCU campuses. The gap in research makes it difficult to fully understand the sexual assault experiences of African American students in general, given that almost 20% of African American baccalaureates receive their degree from HBCUs. RTI International was funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to conduct the HBCU Campus Sexual Assault (HBCU-CSA) Study. The HBCU-CSA Study was undertaken to document the prevalence — as well as associated personal and behavioral factors, context, consequences, and reporting—of distinct forms of sexual assault. This study also examines campus police and service provider perspectives on sexual victimization and student attitudes toward law enforcement and ideas about prevention and policy. Faculty, staff, and students at all four of the participating HBCUs, many of whom were women of color, played an invaluable role in ensuring that the study was culturally sensitive and would be well received by the population of undergraduate women at HBCUs. HBCU faculty, staff, and students collaborated with RTI on all aspects of the study including design, instrumentation, marketing and recruitment, and analysis and dissemination of findings. In the HBCU-CSA Study, the term “sexual assault” includes a wide range of victimizations, including rape and other forms of unwanted sexual contact (e.g., sexual battery). Following the typology put forth in the previously conducted CSA Study, we classify sexual assault based on how the assault was achieved. Virtually all sexual assault research distinguishes between assaults occurring as a result of physical force or threats of physical force and those that do not involve the use or threat of force. Similarly, in the HBCU-CSA Study, we consider physically forced sexual assault as a distinct category of assault. Another means through which sexual assault is achieved is incapacitation of the victim. Legal definitions of sexual assault factor in one’s ability to provide consent, and individuals who are incapacitated because of the effects of alcohol or drugs (or otherwise incapacitated, such as when they are unconscious or asleep) are incapable of consenting. Incapacitated sexual assault can be broken down into three subtypes: alcohol or other drug (AOD)-enabled, drug-facilitated, and other incapacitated sexual assault. Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is defined as unwanted sexual contact occurring when the victim is incapacitated and unable to provide consent after she has been given a drug without her knowledge or consent. If a woman experiences unwanted sexual contact when she is incapacitated and unable to provide consent because of voluntary consumption of alcohol or other drugs, we classify it as AOD-enabled sexual assault. Other incapacitated sexual assaults capture the remaining, and uncommon, situations in which a victim can be incapacitated, such as by being asleep or unconscious. The HBCU-CSA Study addresses several gaps in the existing literature and makes a number of contributions to the field. It is the first to generate prevalence estimates of sexual assault on a collection of HBCU campuses and thus enable us to explore whether findings on sexual assault generated from the “general” population of undergraduate women are consistent with the experiences of undergraduate women attending HBCUs. Furthermore, it is among the first to explore in substantial detail the responses to sexual assault by campus law enforcement (as well as service providers) based on data gathered both from victims themselves and from law enforcement and service provider staff. Learning more about the extent to which sexual assault is reported among HBCU students, and the criminal justice and service provider response to such reporting, is extremely important so we can assess the efficacy of these responses and make necessary policy and practice changes capable of improving the services for victims and ultimately preventing sexual assault. Details: Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI International, 2010. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233614.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233614.pdf Shelf Number: 121049 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesMinoritiesRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Success Works Ptd. Ltd. Title: Sexual Assault Reform Strategy: Final Evaluation Report Summary: The evaluation of the Sexual Assault Reform Strategy (SARS) commenced in August 2008. This report details the findings from the summative evaluation over the entire evaluation period. The Sexual Assault Reform Strategy is made up of a complex web of strategies and processes designed to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system and therefore the experience of sexual assault victim survivors who report a sexual assault to the police. The unwritten assumption is that an improved experience for victim survivors will result in an increased reporting rate of sexual assault which is, as the Victorian Law Reform Commission noted in 2004, the most underreported personal crime in our society. A further unwritten assumption is that an improved reporting rate would represent a more just, equitable and safe society. Based on all of the evidence considered for this evaluation, it is clear that the Sexual Assault Reform Strategy has started to make a real difference for many victim survivors of sexual assault and that the investment in the sexual assault reform is cost effective. However, it is also clear that more still needs to be done to ensure that access to the criminal justice system is equitable for all and that those who manage the process are able to maintain their level of specialisation. This is a journey begun, not a journey ended and now is not the time to ‘take the foot off the accelerator’. The recommendations in this evaluation have been developed to guide the future direction of the strategy. Details: Melbourne: Victoria Department of Justice, 2011. 249p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2011 at: http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/DOJ+Internet/resources/3/d/3df3cc00468072d18d509d4d58beb1dd/SexualAssaultReformStrategyFinalEvaluationReportJanuary2011.PDF Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/DOJ+Internet/resources/3/d/3df3cc00468072d18d509d4d58beb1dd/SexualAssaultReformStrategyFinalEvaluationReportJanuary2011.PDF Shelf Number: 121476 Keywords: RapeSexual Assault (Victoria, Australia)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Sexual Assault |
Author: Gear, Sasha Title: Situational Analysis of Boksburg Youth Centre Sexual Violence in Prison Pilot Project (Dec 2004 – Jan 2005) Summary: This report details the results of a piece of research or “situational analysis” that aimed to gather information mainly on issues related to violence, sex and sexual violence as experienced by the young men held at Boksburg Youth Centre (BYC). It also touched on some of their characteristics and experiences in the institution more broadly. This information will be used to direct a project to address sexual violence happening in BYC that the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) is embarking on with the youth centre. Down the line, it will also assist in assessing the progress and impact of the project. The goal of the pilot project is to develop and test management strategies for the prevention of sexual violence and destructive sexual practices in Boksburg Youth Centre (BYC). The main objectives are: To develop an understanding of the nature and extent of sexual violence and destructive sexual practices in Boksburg Youth Centre (Boksburg Correctional Centre B). To identify issues and challenges which contribute to the problem. To raise awareness about sexual violence, destructive sexual practices and related issues amongst personnel and inmates. To develop and test management strategies for the prevention of, and appropriate responses, to sexual violence and destructive sexual practices in BYC. Details: Johannes, South Africa: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2006. 89p. Source: Internet Resoruce: Accessed April 27, 2011 at: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/consolidated1208.pdf Year: 2006 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/consolidated1208.pdf Shelf Number: 115380 Keywords: Prison Rape ( South Africa)PrisonersSexual Violence |
Author: Onslow, Charlotte Title: Breaking Patterns of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Security and Justice Provision in Post-Conflict Nepal Summary: Following the 10-year conflict between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the government of Nepal, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections signalled the start of the peace and recovery process. Security provision and enabling access to justice are generally seen as core functions of the state, as well as fundamental building blocks for good governance, stability and socioeconomic development. The development of an adequately functioning, accessible and accountable security and justice system is therefore a critical component of the international community’s support to Nepal’s postconflict reconstruction process. At present, the EU and six key donor countries are providing ongoing support to the strengthening of the security and justice systems in Nepal. Sometimes termed justice and security sector reform (JSSR), donor support in Nepal comprises the following thematic focus areas: improving police effectiveness; establishing civilian oversight of the security forces; and strengthening the legal framework of the security and justice sectors as a whole. If investments in the security and justice sectors are to take hold and be sustained in the long term, these reforms should contend with and adequately address the diverse security needs of Nepalese communities and citizens. Yet, four years after the peace process began, Nepali women, men, communities and the private sector continue to experience a multitude of distinct and often overlapping security threats. Current analysis by International Alert highlights the following five broad areas of security concerns in Nepal: an increase in armed groups; proliferation of small arms and light weapons; rise of crime (theft, physical assault and drunken disorder); political strikes (bandhs); and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Among women in Nepal, sexual and domestic violence is identified and perceived as the biggest risk to their security and one that is yet to be tackled effectively by the security and justice sector. The purpose of this case study is therefore to provide further insights into women’s experiences in three different districts with the provision of security and justice in Nepal. In addition, it offers a number of recommendations to international donors, particularly the EU, to ensure that the security and justice sectors in Nepal become more responsive to women’s security concerns and priorities. The analysis and key findings are based on research conducted between April and May 2010 by Alert and Shanti Malika, a national-level network of Nepali women’s organisations. Details: Brussels: Intiative for Peacebuilding, International Alert, 2010. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: IFP Gender Cluster Country Case Study: Nepal: Accessed April 29, 2011 at: http://www.international-alert.org/sites/default/files/publications/1211IFPnepalgender_2.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.international-alert.org/sites/default/files/publications/1211IFPnepalgender_2.pdf Shelf Number: 121579 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Nepal) |
Author: Gulik, Gauri van Title: “He Loves You, He Beats You”: Family Violence in Turkey and Access to Protection Summary: In Turkey, approximately 42 percent of all women, and 47 percent of women in rural areas, have experienced physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner at some stage in their lives. “He Loves You, He Beats You” documents the experiences of women in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Van, Trabzon, and Diyarbakır who endured violence and sought help from the state. Women we interviewed described brutal and long-lasting violence by husbands, in-laws, and other family members. Human Rights Watch documented women and girls as young as fourteen being raped, stabbed, kicked in the abdomen when pregnant, beaten with hammers, sticks, branches, and hoses to the point of broken bones and fractured skulls, locked up with dogs or other animals, starved, shot with a stun gun, injected with poison, pushed off a rooftop, and subjected to severe psychological violence. Despite some impressive law reforms to address violence against women in Turkey, including the availability of civil protection orders, there are gaps in law and even greater failings in implementation, making the protection system unpredictable at best. Domestic violence shelters in Turkey, far too few to meet the demand, exclude certain categories of women, and in some cases have poor conditions and inadequate security. The Turkish government should amend the family protection law to fill the gaps and should systematically and proactively improve its implementation. Failing to do so constitutes not just a violation of Turkish law, but also violations of international and regional human rights law. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2011 at: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/05/04/he-loves-you-he-beats-you-0 Year: 2011 Country: Turkey URL: http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/05/04/he-loves-you-he-beats-you-0 Shelf Number: 121770 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Turkey)RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Cerise, Somali Title: A Different World is Possible: A Call for Long-Term and Targeted Action to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: Violence against women and girls continues to have devastating and often dehumanising consequences for millions of women and girls across the world. Yet, despite this, we too often assume that this violence, and the inequality which it is linked to, is somehow inevitable. This seeming acceptance of the status quo not only damages women’s lives and limits men’s, but creates a barrier for practitioners and policy makers who seek to make a real difference in this area. This report aims to address attitudes and positions that are often normalised and even ‘held dear’ within all of our communities and within our societies generally. We ground our recommendations in Carol Hagemann-White’s innovative model of perpetration which represents the most comprehensive review of evidence to date on the root causes, including individual life experiences and choices, of violence and abuse. Whether we work in schools, in communities, with the media or other institutions, our aim is to shift the landscape from one which tolerates the violation of women and girls’ human rights, to one in which women’s safety and gender equality is the norm. Details: London: End Violence Against Women, 2011. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2011 at: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/a_different_world_is_possible_report_email_version.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/a_different_world_is_possible_report_email_version.pdf Shelf Number: 121878 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (U.K.) |
Author: Vetten, Lisa Title: Urban Predators: An Analysis of Gang Rapes Reported at Six Inner-City Johannesburg Police Stations Summary: Little is known about rape involving multiple perpetrators in South Africa. This policy brief, a quantitative analysis of 162 rapes (both attempted and completed) reported at six police stations in Johannesburg during 1999 and involving two or more perpetrators, outlines and describes a variety of features associated with such rapes. It also explores what differences, if any, exist between rapes involving one assailant and those with multiple assailants, and provides some recommendations aimed at combating gang rape. Details: Braamfontein, South Africa: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2005. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: CSVR Gender Programme, Policy Brief No. 01: Accessed July 8, 2011 at: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/gender/urban.pdf Year: 2005 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/gender/urban.pdf Shelf Number: 122012 Keywords: Gang Rape (South Africa)GangsSexual Violence |
Author: Westera, Nina Title: Improving Rape Investigations: Does Interview Format Matter? Summary: Sexual violence is a pervasive and devastating crime affecting many adults and children in Australia. Historically under-reported, this crime has been a site of significant reform both in terms of the rules of evidence and procedures governing police investigation. This briefing paper charts some of the progress made in establishing a ‘best practice’ for investigative interviews of complainants that preserves both the quality and quantity of memory recall. The research demonstrates the considerable forensic value of video recording complainant interviews, though notes that these new technologies are perceived by practitioners to be resource intensive. Ultimately, notwithstanding increased costs, the use of video-recording of complaint interviews enhances not only the quality of evidence but also guards against complainants being revictimised by the legal process itself. Details: Nathan, QLD: ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2010. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing Paper, Issue 3: Accessed July 20, 2011 at: http://www.ceps.edu.au/files/file/Nina%20Westera%20FINAL.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ceps.edu.au/files/file/Nina%20Westera%20FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 122119 Keywords: Police InvestigationsPolice QuestioningRape (Australia)Rape VictimsSexual Violence |
Author: Milleken, Jennifer: Gilgen, Elisabeth Title: Tackling Violence Against Women: From Knowledge to Practical Initiatives Summary: Although the number of women who are violently injured and killed each year worldwide is not known with any precision, available evidence, while unsystematic and incomplete, already indicates that violence against women (VAW) is ‘a universal problem of epidemic proportions’ (UNIFEM, 2007). VAW occurs in both conflict and non-conflict situations. It is often less evident in its occurrence and effects than the deaths and injuries of men as combatants in armed conflicts or as gang members in violence related to drug wars. Yet women and girls are often victimized or adversely affected in other ways in these and all other armed violence settings. Women and girls are also common targets of sexual violence in armed conflict and fragmented societies, and they suffer disproportionately from its indirect consequences. In non-conflict situations, women are the victims of intimate-partner (or ‘domestic’) and sexual violence, honour killings, and dowry-related violence (GD Secretariat, 2008b). The economic costs associated with armed violence are tremendous. It is estimated that the annual economic cost of armed violence in terms of lost productivity due to violent homicides is between USD 95 billion and USD 163 billion alone (GD Secretariat, 2008). Additional costs include medical costs associated with treating the injured or indirect costs such as loss of income from the victim’s inability to work. However, a focus on costs ignores the wider relationship among armed violence, livelihood perspectives, development, and the (indirect) impact on women and men. The gendered dynamic of these relationships is complex. As the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states: When husbands are killed, women frequently lose their access to farmlands and the right to live in their marital homes. The resulting survival choice for many affected women and children is prostitution, commercial labour or domestic servitude. This has consequences for ongoing exposure to violence and ill health from communicable diseases and poor working conditions, as well as future community exclusion (OECD, 2009). The Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development (GD) is a diplomatic initiative built around the recognition that armed violence and development are closely linked. From its inception, the GD initiative has recognized the importance of the gendered aspect of armed violence. It promotes a comprehensive approach to armed violence reduction issues, recognizing the different situations, needs and resources of men and women, boys and girls, as reflected in the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1612 (GD Secretariat, 2006). However, (armed) violence against women and its impact on development, while acknowledged since the inception of the GD, has so far been only partially addressed by the GD Secretariat. This Working Paper represents one of the actions by the GD Secretariat to support work on the elimination of (armed) VAW with a view to enhancing development. It is divided into two sections. The first section illustrates the context of the GD, (armed) VAW, and development. The second section sets out five possible initiatives to fill research gaps on VAW: 1. support international initiatives to track VAW globally; 2. promote field-based research on mapping VAW; 3. develop improved costing tools for estimating the effects of VAW on development; 4. extend the work on a contextual appraisal toolkit for implementing VAW interventions; and 5. support a comprehensive evaluation toolkit for VAW prevention and reduction programmes. The first three initiatives focus on filling gaps in mapping VAW; the last two present ways to support VAW reduction and prevention programming. The Working Paper concludes with the observation that further innovative research is needed to understand the scope and scale of VAW, such as its negative impact on development. Research initiatives need to acknowledge the complexity, and the sometimes - apparent paradox, of the phenomenon of VAW, as well as support the development and evaluation of programming efforts to prevent and reduce VAW. Details: Geneva: Geneva Declaration Secretariat, 2011. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper: Accessed July 26, 2011 at: http://www.genevadeclaration.org/fileadmin/docs/WP-TVAW/GD-WP-Tackling-VAW.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.genevadeclaration.org/fileadmin/docs/WP-TVAW/GD-WP-Tackling-VAW.pdf Shelf Number: 122157 Keywords: Armed ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Wolfe, Lauren Title: The Silencing Crime: Sexual Violence and Journalists Summary: Few cases of sexual assault against journalists have ever been documented, a product of powerful cultural and professional stigmas. But now dozens of journalists are coming forward to say they have been sexually abused in the course of their work. Details: New York: Committee to Protect Journalists, 2011. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed August 3, 2011 at: http://www.cpj.org/reports/CPJ.Sexual.Assault.Journalists.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.cpj.org/reports/CPJ.Sexual.Assault.Journalists.pdf Shelf Number: 122288 Keywords: JournalistsSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Cohen, Dara Kay Title: Causes of Sexual Violence During Civil War: Cross-National Evidence (1980-2009) Summary: Why do some armed groups commit wartime rape on a large scale, while others never turn to sexual violence? Although scholars and policymakers have made many claims about the rates, severity and locations of wartime sexual violence, there have been few systematic efforts to gather data on sexual violence during conflict. Using an original dataset, I examine the incidence of sexual violence by both insurgent groups and state actors during civil wars between 1980-2009. I first establish that there is substantial variation in the severity of wartime sexual violence, both across and within conflicts. I then use the data in a statistical analysis to test a series of competing hypotheses about the causes of wartime sexual violence. I find strong evidence that the choice of recruitment mechanism—namely, whether the armed group abducted or press-ganged its members—predicts the use of sexual violence. I maintain that this finding supports an argument about the use of rape as a method of combatant socialization, in which members of armed groups who are recruited by force use rape to create and to maintain unit cohesion. I also find that contraband funding and genocide predict sexual violence by insurgents. Notably, there is no support for several common explanations for wartime sexual violence, including ethnic war and gender inequality. Drawing on data from the Sierra Leone civil war, I examine the observable implications of the proposed mechanism on the micro level in a brief case study. The results undermine conventional wisdom on the causes of sexual violence and suggest that multiple mechanisms may be at work in understanding wartime sexual violence. Details: Minneapolis: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2011. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 9, 2011 at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/gpa/globalnotes/Cohen%20MIRC%203-28-11.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/gpa/globalnotes/Cohen%20MIRC%203-28-11.pdf Shelf Number: 122329 Keywords: Civil WarRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Quixley, Suzi Title: The Right to Choose: Enhancing Best Practice in Responding to Sexual Assault in Queensland Summary: This report proposes an evidence-based, holistic response to sexual assault in Queensland. It advocates a system designed to enable Queensland to move toward the reduction, and ultimate elimination, of sexual violence. This requires viewing sexual assault as primarily a social, rather than an individual or medical, problem. Details: Brisbane(?): Queensland Sexual Assault Services, 2010. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 11, 2011 at: http://www.communitydoor.org.au/sites/default/files/Right%20to%20choose%20final%20pdf%20with%20covers.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.communitydoor.org.au/sites/default/files/Right%20to%20choose%20final%20pdf%20with%20covers.pdf Shelf Number: 122360 Keywords: RapeSexual Assault (Australia)Sexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Vetten, Lisa Title: Tracking Justice: The Attrition of Rape Cases through the Criminal Justice System in Gauteng Summary: An exploration of how the criminal justice system processes complaints of rape is essential for at least two reasons. Firstly, it establishes the measure of justice afforded rape complainants and thus enables South African society to hold criminal justice system personnel to account. Secondly, it provides insight into how and why justice may be eroded and the criminal justice system’s consequent ability to deter sexual violence weakened. In pursuit of these objectives we undertook a study in Gauteng Province to describe the processing of rape complaints, as well as their outcome, from the time such complaints were reported in 2003, to the point at which they were disposed of by either the police or courts. The research also describes the characteristics of reported rape in the province. Our study was undertaken in Gauteng Province where, in 2003, a total of 11 926 rapes were reported at the 128 police stations in Gauteng Province. A sample was drawn for the study using a two stage procedure. The first stage drew a sample of 70 police stations using probability proportional to size, where size was based on the number of rape cases reported to the police in 2003. Within each police station all the closed rape cases for the year were identified by their CAS numbers and a random sample of 30 dockets was selected (or all cases if fewer than 30 cases were reported in that year to the sampled police station). The dockets were then located either at the police station or at the specialist Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units and data abstracted. There was no replacement of dockets that were unavailable. This procedure provided a sample of 2,068 cases for the study. Records for those cases that went to court were obtained from both High Courts in the province, as well as all 30 magistrates’ courts. Details: Johannesburg: Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre, the South African Medical Research Council and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2008. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2011 at: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/tracking_justice.pdf Year: 2008 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.csvr.org.za/docs/tracking_justice.pdf Shelf Number: 115817 Keywords: Criminal CourtsProsecutionRape (South Africa)Sexual Violence |
Author: Amnesty International Title: 'This Is What We Demand, Justice!’ Impunity for Sexual Violence Against Women in Colombia's Armed Conflict Summary: sexual violence is endemic to colombia’s long-running armed conflict. Mmembers of all the warring parties – paramilitary groups, guerrilla groups and the colombian security forces – have sexually abused and exploited women and girls. They have done so for a variety of reasons – to exploit them as sexual slaves, to sow terror within communities, to wreak revenge on an adversary, and to silence women leaders. Rape and sexual violence are not the only forms of gender-based violence women experience. however, they fall into a special category for one fundamental reason: they are the most invisible of human rights abuses. survivors rarely report such crimes and, when they do, their abusers are almost never brought to justice. This is a human rights scandal that re-victimizes survivors of sexual violence. It vividly reveals the deeply entrenched impunity that has for so long shielded from justice human rights abusers of all kinds in colombia. At the heart of this report are the voices of survivors of sexual violence in Colombia’s bloody conflict, women and girls who have for so long been silenced, overlooked and ignored. the message they gave in sharing their stories with amnesty international was both clear and compelling. Details: London: Amnesty International, 2011. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 26, 2011 at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR23/018/2011/en/d4396a83-c078-46f0-96ff-94f6d667b6bc/amr230182011en.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Colombia URL: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR23/018/2011/en/d4396a83-c078-46f0-96ff-94f6d667b6bc/amr230182011en.pdf Shelf Number: 122903 Keywords: RapeSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Colombia) |
Author: Daly, Kathleen Title: Conventional and Innovative Justice Responses to Sexual Violence Summary: Despite 30 years of significant change to the way the criminal justice system responds to sexual violence, conviction rates have gone down in Australia, Canada, and England and Wales. Victim/survivors continue to express dissatisfaction with how the police and courts handle their cases and with their experience of the trial process. Many commentators and researchers recognise that the crux of the problem is cultural beliefs about gender and sexuality, which dilute and undermine the intentions of rape law reform. These beliefs affect victims adversely, but at the same time, increased criminalisation and penalisation of offenders is not likely to yield constructive outcomes. This paper reflects on the limits of legal reform in improving outcomes for victim/survivors. Given the extent of reform to procedural, substantive, and evidentiary aspects of sexual assault legal cases, we may have exhausted its potential to change the response to sexual assault. We may need to consider innovative justice responses, which may be part of the legal system or lie beyond it. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2011. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues No. 12: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i12/i12.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i12/i12.pdf Shelf Number: 122955 Keywords: Sex OffensesSexual Assaults (Australia)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Sexual Assault |
Author: Loots, Lizle Title: Global Review of National Prevention Policies Summary: This review involves an analysis of literature on risk factors and social dynamics underpinning rape and critique of best practice in rape prevention policy internationally. Over 140 National policies and action plans from 110 different countries are currently being reviewed to identify gaps in government prevention efforts. This review is being undertaken internally by the SVRI secretariat. This review will be used to identify and address the critical areas that need to be a focus of attention in developing evidence-based strategies and national policies. On completion of this review, a workshop will be convened with multi-sectoral invitees from Government, as well as researchers and representatives from non-governmental organisations. The review will be presented at the workshop and at least two other stakeholders in the field will be asked to present, including responding to the review and to discuss its policy implications. This review will ultimately contribute towards shifting the policy arena in the area and honing of the research agenda on preventing rape. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative; South African Medical Research Council, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed Ocboer 6, 2011 at: http://www.svri.org/GlobalReview.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/GlobalReview.pdf Shelf Number: 122997 Keywords: RapeSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Ricardo, Christine Title: Men, Masculinities, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence: A Literature Review and Call for Action Summary: This paper explores possible linkages between masculinities and different forms of sexual exploitation and sexual violence. Specifically, it seeks to answer the question: How do prevailing norms and views of manhood, or masculinities, contribute to some men’s use of sexual violence, and the “demand-side” of sexual exploitation? We critically review existing literature on the topic, with a particular focus on recommendations for action. From what we know about how prevailing gender norms contribute to some men’s use of sexual violence and sexually exploitative practices, what can we propose to reduce sexual exploitation by working with men and boys to question salient gender norms that drive the demand? In terms of programs to reach men and boys on this issue there are a few examples – some which address sexual exploitation specifically, others which address questions of masculinities and gender equality more broadly. However, most of these projects have been small-scale, and with little impact evaluation to date. There are also examples of policies that have incorporated an understanding of the demand side of sexual exploitation and the need to move beyond a mostly punitive model toward a more comprehensive one that includes sanctions as well as preventive approaches, such as engaging men and boys with messages that question sexual exploitation and the “commodification” of women and girls (and boys and men). Overall, we affirm the need to increase attention and action to engage men and boys in questioning and overcoming gender norms that contribute to sexual violence and exploitation. Details: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Promunda and MenEngage, 2008. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 6, 2011 at: http://www.promundo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Homens-Masculinidades-Explora%C3%A7%C3%A3o-Sexual-e-Viol%C3%AAncia-Sexual-ING.pdf Year: 2008 Country: International URL: http://www.promundo.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Homens-Masculinidades-Explora%C3%A7%C3%A3o-Sexual-e-Viol%C3%AAncia-Sexual-ING.pdf Shelf Number: 122999 Keywords: GenderMasculinityRapeSex OffendersSexual AssaultsSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, Statistical Analysis Center Title: By Force and Without Consent: A Five Year Overview of Sexual Violence in South Carolina: 2005 - 2009 Summary: By Force and Without Consent: A Five Year Overview of Sexual Violence in South Carolina 2005 – 2009 is the second in a series of ongoing reports, designed to provide basic information about victims of sexual violence over a five year period. The information presented in the tables, graphs and charts in this publication is based on incident reports submitted to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) by state and local law enforcement agencies. These reports are edited and reviewed, corrected as needed and compiled to form the basis of the information presented in this report. It is important to note that the information in this report is only as complete and accurate as the information reported to local law enforcement and subsequently submitted to SLED. By their very nature, unreported crimes cannot be included in the report. While there are a variety of legal and social definitions of sexual violence, this report uses a broad definition of sexual violence, parsed into meaningful sub-categories, in order to provide as much useful information as possible. This report seeks to provide information concerning the scope and nature of sexual violence at the state level; however the overall emphasis of the report is to provide information concerning short term trends and county level information. The study found that nearly all the statewide indicators of sexual violence victimization trends demonstrated a decline from 2004 through 2008. Overall, the number of sexual violence victims decreased 10.7%, while the sexual violence victimization rate per 10,000 decreased 16.1% over the five year period. The invasive sexual violence victimization rate decreased (17.2%), the rape victimization rate decreased (11.9%), the forcible sodomy victimization rate decreased (37.5%); the sexual assault with an object victimization rate decreased (19.6%) as did the forcible fondling victimization rate (14.3%). Similarly, sexual violence victimization rates against children and adults decreased 19.1% and 6.8% respectively from 2004 through 2008. Following the same pattern over the five year time period, sexual violence victimization rates involving family victim/offender relationships decreased (6.8%), as did the sexual violence victimization rates involving marital victim/offender relationships (23.8%), sexual violence victimization involving victim/offender relationships where the victim and offender knew but did not have a family, marital or romantic relationship (17%), and sexual violence victimization involving strangers (18.1%). The lone exception to this pattern of decreasing sexual victimization rates was the sexual victimization rate involving romantic victim/offender relationships, which increased 5.6% from 2004 through 2008. It is important to note that romantic victim/offender relationships accounted for less than 4% of sexual violence victimization. Details: Blythewood, SC: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, 2011. 244p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2011 at: http://www.scdps.org/ojp/stats/SexualViolence/By%20Force%20and%20Without%20Consent%202005%20-%202009%20Final%20Version.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.scdps.org/ojp/stats/SexualViolence/By%20Force%20and%20Without%20Consent%202005%20-%202009%20Final%20Version.pdf Shelf Number: 123071 Keywords: Crime StatisticsSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault (South Carolina)Sexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Seib, Charrlotte Title: Health, Well-being and Sexual Violence among Female Sex Workers: A Comparative Study Summary: Prostitution has been documented in most societies, although the context in which it occurs may vary greatly. In Queensland, Australia, sex workers can operate from legal brothels or privately but all other sectors of the sex industry are prohibited. It is assumed that regulation of the sex industry through legalization leads to better health and social outcomes for sex workers and their clients. However, this assumption has rarely been subjected to empirical scrutiny. This research examined the occupational health and safety of female sex workers in Queensland and explored the relationship between legislative change, workplace violence, mental health and job satisfaction. Sex workers interviewed in 2003 (after legalisation) were compared to a prior study of this population conducted in 1991 (before official regulation of the sex industry). Further, in-depth analysis of the 2003 cohort compared sex workers employed in legal and illegal sectors, to assess violence, health status and job satisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional, convenience sampling was used to collect data from female sex workers in 2003. This data was compared with data collected earlier (in 1991) and explored differences in the two samples using bivariate analysis. Similar recruitment strategies on both occasions were used to recruit women from all known sectors of the Queensland sex industry. The 1991 comparison sample (Boyle et al. 1997) included 200 women (aged between 16 and 46 years), and in 2003, 247 women (aged 18 to 57) participated. The 2003 sample included workers from legal brothels (n=102), private sole-operators (n=103) and illegal street-based sex workers (n=42). Using data collected in 2003, this study assessed the relationship between physical and mental health and job satisfaction and two main independent variables, i.e., current work sector and recent workplace violence. Bivariate analysis of physical health and independent variables showed no significant relationships and therefore further analysis was not undertaken. However, analysis of mental health and job satisfaction showed complex interactions between multiple variables and therefore linear modeling was performed to adjust for confounding. Results: Analysis of the 1991 and 2003 samples showed little apparent change over time in self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There were substantial changes over time in the types of sexual services being provided to clients, with the 2003 sample more likely to provide 'exotic' services. Violence experienced ever in their lifetime differed; in 1991, 29% reported having ever been raped compared with 42% in 2003 (p= <0.01). In 2003, 50% of illegal sex workers reported having ever been raped by a client compared with 12% of private sex workers and 3% of brothel-based sex workers (p=<0.01). Overall, the sex workers reported roughly equivalent job satisfaction to Australian women. A desire to leave the sex industry was most strongly correlated with reduced job satisfaction (p=<0.01). Satisfaction was also relatively low among those whose family was not aware of their sex work (p=<0.01). Similarly, the mental and physical health of this sample was comparable to age-matched women from the general population. Wanting to leave the sex industry was most strongly associated with poor mental health (p=<0.01), as was recent sexual or physical assault by a client (p=0.06) and the woman's main work sector (p=0.05). Illegal sex workers reported substantially lower mental health scores than their counterparts in legal sex work. Conclusions: Self-reported STI diagnosis was high in these samples but the prevalence appears not to have changed over time. Comparing 2003 to 1991, there were trends towards safer and more diverse sexual practices. It is likely the sex industry has 'professionalized' and now includes more sex workers providing specialist, 'exotic' services. This sample of female sex workers reported high rates of violence, with those working illegally at greatest risk. Analysis suggests a complex interaction between variables contributing to mental health and job satisfaction. In general, it appears that the majority of sex workers enjoyed at least as much job satisfaction as women working in other occupations. It also appears that this sample had equivalent mental health to women from the general population, although the sub-group of illegal workers generally had poorer health. Job satisfaction and the extent of workplace hazards (especially risk of violence) were also strongly associated with different sectors of the sex industry. It is probable that legalisation has benefited some (perhaps most) but there are health and safety concerns for those outside the legal framework. Legislative reform should focus on violence prevention, promoting reporting of violent events to police, and further exploration of the impact of legislation on the health of workers in the sex industry. Details: Brisbane: Queensland University of Technology, 2007. 254p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2011 at: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16398/1/Charlotte_Seib_Thesis.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16398/1/Charlotte_Seib_Thesis.pdf Shelf Number: 123124 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Lovett, Jo Title: Rape in the 21st Century: Old Behaviours, New Contexts and Emerging Patterns Summary: Home Office statistics show a continuing decline in the conviction rate for rape over the last three decades, which reached a low of 5.27 per cent in 2003. Building on an existing data set, this project seeks to explore how far the construction of ‘real rape’ – committed by strangers, occurring in outdoor locations and involving weapons and injury – operates as a template from which all other types of reported cases are judged. This stereotype serves to disguise the social realities of rape – that perpetrators are invariably known and that it takes place in the complexity of daily life and everyday routines. Drawing on a dataset of 3,500 cases and linked qualitative data, the project will involve developing analytical frames to assess the extent to which decision-making by complainants, police, prosecutors and judges at all stages of the process can be predicted through the elements of real rape, and whether the concept needs adapting for the 21st century. The findings will add to our understanding of the attrition process and the justice gap. Details: Swindon, UK: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), 2007. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2011 at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-1679/read Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-1679/read Shelf Number: 123145 Keywords: Rape (U.K.)Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Violence |
Author: Reza, Avid Title: Violence Against Children in Swaziland: Findings from a National Survey on Violence Against Children in Swaziland, May 15 – June 16, 2007 Summary: Violence against children is a significant global health and human rights problem, and a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa. The problem of violence against children spans geographical boundaries, culture, race, class, and religion. It can be expressed in the form of physical or sexual assault or abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and deprivation or neglect. Violence against children is a profound violation of human rights and has devastating short- and long-term mental and physical health consequences. This report focuses primarily on sexual violence against female children. According to the World Report on Violence and Health, sexual violence is defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.” Existing research shows that sexual violence is a major health problem throughout the world. Although nationally representative studies on child sexual violence are limited in sub-Saharan Africa, available data show that sexual violence against children is an important problem in the region. Sexual violence is preventable. However, in order to develop and implement effective prevention strategies, timely and more complete data are needed. To the best of our knowledge, this survey provides, for the first time, national population based estimates that describe the magnitude and nature of the problem of violence experienced by female children in Swaziland. The objectives of this survey were to (1) describe the epidemiologic patterns of sexual violence and other forms of violence; (2) identify potential risk and protective factors for sexual violence; (3) assess the knowledge and utilization of health services available for victims of sexual violence and other forms of violence; (4) identify areas for further research; (5) raise awareness about violence as an important health problem; and (6) make recommendations on improving and enhancing interventions to better identify, treat and prevent sexual violence against children and its health-related consequences. This report will address all of the above listed objectives, with the exception of identifying risk and protective factors for sexual violence and areas for future research which will be presented in future publications. Details: Swaziland: Swaziland United Nations Children's Fund; Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2011 at: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/sz_publications_2007violenceagainstchildren.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Swaziland URL: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/sz_publications_2007violenceagainstchildren.pdf Shelf Number: 123213 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (Swaziland)Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstSexual Violence |
Author: Reza, Avid Title: A National Study on Violence Against Children and Young Women in Swaziland Summary: Violence against children is a significant global health and human rights problem, and a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa. This report focuses primarily on sexual violence against female children. Details: Mbabane, Swaziland: UNICEF Swaziland, 2007. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2011 at: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/resources_9393.html Year: 2007 Country: Swaziland URL: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/resources_9393.html Shelf Number: 123220 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse (Swaziland)Sexual Violence |
Author: Ellery, Frances Title: Out from the Shadows: Sexual Violence Against Children with Disabilities Summary: Children with disabilities are among the most marginalised in the world. The issue of sexual violence against them is largely ignored: shrouded in taboos and far from a political priority, very little research has been conducted on this issue. Sexual violence is just one tragic consequence of the structural and social discrimination facing children with disabilities. Many live in relative isolation, have little interaction with people in whom they could confide; and are uninformed about their rights. This is compounded by their acute lack of access to education and other services, including reporting mechanisms, which rarely accommodate their individual needs. Perpetrators of sexual violence enjoy almost total impunity. In many cases, perpetrators are part of the family or community upon which the child is dependent and, therefore, hold great power over them. Children with disabilities also face insurmountable barriers to accessing legal and judicial systems. The few cases that are officially reported rarely reach a court hearing or result in an appropriate sentence. As a consequence, survivors are deterred from speaking out, which in turn perpetuates their vulnerability. This new report by Handicap International and Save the Children is based on first-hand research in four African countries: Burundi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania (Zanzibar). Researchers interviewed adults with disabilities who had been abused as children, as well as carers, lawyers, judges, police, social workers, teachers and members of disabled people’s organisations. This evidence is supported by a global literature review. Handicap International and Save the Children have created a set of recommendations, developed in consultation with children, young people and professionals working on this issue around the word. We hope they will be taken forward by governments, donors and civil society organisations, communities, and children and young people. Details: London: Save the Children, 2011. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 23, 2011 at: http://www.handicap-international.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BF443E7C-570C-4DB9-AB69-56E3B278DD35/0/OutFromTheShadows_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Africa URL: http://www.handicap-international.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BF443E7C-570C-4DB9-AB69-56E3B278DD35/0/OutFromTheShadows_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 123432 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse (Africa)Handicapped PersonsSexual Violence |
Author: Black, Michele C. Title: National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report Summary: Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are major public health problems in the United States. Many survivors of these forms of violence can experience physical injury, mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide attempts, and other health consequences such as gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and gynecological or pregnancy complications. These consequences can lead to hospitalization, disability, or death. Our understanding of these forms of violence has grown substantially over the years. However, timely, ongoing, and comparable national and state-level data are lacking. Less is also known about how these forms of violence impact specific populations in the United States or the extent to which rape, stalking, or violence by a romantic or sexual partner are experienced in childhood and adolescence. CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control launched the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey in 2010 with the support of the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Defense to address these gaps. The primary objectives of the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey are to describe: • The prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence • Who is most likely to experience these forms of violence • The patterns and impact of the violence experienced by specific perpetrators • The health consequences of these forms of violence The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey is an ongoing, nationally representative random digit dial (RDD) telephone survey that collects information about experiences of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence among non-institutionalized English and/or Spanish-speaking women and men aged 18 or older in the United States. NISVS provides detailed information on the magnitude and characteristics of these forms of violence for the nation and for individual states. This report presents information related to several types of violence that have not previously been measured in a national population-based survey, including types of sexual violence other than rape; expressive psychological aggression and coercive control, and control of reproductive or sexual health. This report also provides the first ever simultaneous national and state-level prevalence estimates of violence for all states. The findings presented in this report are for 2010, the first year of data collection, and are based on complete interviews. Complete interviews were obtained from 16,507 adults (9,086 women and 7,421 men). The relative standard error (RSE), which is a measure of an estimate’s reliability, was calculated for all estimates in this report. If the RSE was greater than 30%, the estimate was deemed unreliable and is not reported. Consideration was also given to the case count. If the estimate was based on a numerator ≤20, the estimate is also not reported. Estimates for certain types of violence reported by subgroups of men such as rape victimization by racial/ethnic group are not shown because the number of men in these subgroups reporting rape was too small to calculate a reliable estimate. These tables are included in the report so that the reader can easily determine what was assessed and where gaps remain. Key Findings Sexual Violence by Any Perpetrator • Nearly 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives, including completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration. • More than half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance; for male victims, more than half (52.4%) reported being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger. • Approximately 1 in 21 men (4.8%) reported that they were made to penetrate someone else during their lifetime; most men who were made to penetrate someone else reported that the perpetrator was either an intimate partner (44.8%) or an acquaintance (44.7%). • An estimated 13% of women and 6% of men have experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime (i.e., unwanted sexual penetration after being pressured in a nonphysical way); and 27.2% of women and 11.7% of men have experienced unwanted sexual contact. • Most female victims of completed rape (79.6%) experienced their first rape before the age of 25; 42.2% experienced their first completed rape before the age of 18 years. • More than one-quarter of male victims of completed rape (27.8%) experienced their first rape when they were 10 years of age or younger. Stalking Victimization by Any Perpetrator • One in 6 women (16.2%) and 1 in 19 men (5.2%) in the United States have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed. • Two-thirds (66.2%) of female victims of stalking were stalked by a current or former intimate partner; men were primarily stalked by an intimate partner or an acquaintance, 41.4% and 40.0%, respectively. • Repeatedly receiving unwanted telephone calls, voice, or text messages was the most commonly experienced stalking tactic for both female and male victims of stalking (78.8% for women and 75.9% for men). • More than half of female victims and more than one-third of male victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before the age of 25; about 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 14 male victims experienced stalking between the ages of 11 and 17. Violence by an Intimate Partner • More than 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and more than 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. • Among victims of intimate partner violence, more than 1 in 3 women experienced multiple forms of rape, stalking, or physical violence; 92.1% of male victims experienced physical violence alone, and 6.3% experienced physical violence and stalking. • Nearly 1 in 10 women in the United States (9.4%) has been raped by an intimate partner in her lifetime, and an estimated 16.9% of women and 8.0% of men have experienced sexual violence other than rape by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. • About 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (e.g., hit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something) at some point in their lifetime. • An estimated 10.7% of women and 2.1% of men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime. • Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively). • Most female and male victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner (69% of female victims; 53% of male victims) experienced some form of intimate partner violence for the first time before 25 years of age. Impact of Violence by an Intimate Partner • Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported at least one impact related to experiencing these or other forms of violent behavior in the relationship (e.g., being fearful, concerned for safety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, need for health care, injury, contacting a crisis hotline, need for housing services, need for victim’s advocate services, need for legal services, missed at least one day of work or school). Violence Experienced by Race/Ethnicity • Approximately 1 in 5 Black (22.0%) and White (18.8%) non-Hispanic women, and 1 in 7 Hispanic women (14.6%) in the United States have experienced rape at some point in their lives. More than one-quarter of women (26.9%) who identified as American Indian or as Alaska Native and 1 in 3 women (33.5%) who identified as multiracial non-Hispanic reported rape victimization in their lifetime. • One out of 59 White non-Hispanic men (1.7%) has experienced rape at some point in his life. Nearly one-third of multiracial non-Hispanic men (31.6%) and over one-quarter of Hispanic men (26.2%) reported sexual violence other than rape in their lifetimes. • Approximately 1 in 3 multiracial non-Hispanic women (30.6%) and 1 in 4 American Indian or Alaska Native women (22.7%) reported being stalked during their lifetimes. One in 5 Black non-Hispanic women (19.6%), 1 in 6 White non-Hispanic women (16.0%), and 1 in 7 Hispanic women (15.2%) experienced stalking in their lifetimes. • Approximately 1 in 17 Black non-Hispanic men (6.0%), and 1 in 20 White non-Hispanic men (5.1%) and Hispanic men (5.1%) in the United States experienced stalking in their lifetime. • Approximately 4 out of every 10 women of non-Hispanic Black or American Indian or Alaska Native race/ethnicity (43.7% and 46.0%, respectively), and 1 in 2 multiracial non-Hispanic women (53.8%) have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. • Nearly half (45.3%) of American Indian or Alaska Native men and almost 4 out of every 10 Black and multiracial men (38.6% and 39.3%, respectively) experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Number and Sex of Perpetrators • Across all types of violence, the majority of both female and male victims reported experiencing violence from one perpetrator. • Across all types of violence, the majority of female victims reported that their perpetrators were male. • Male rape victims and male victims of non-contact unwanted sexual experiences reported predominantly male perpetrators. Nearly half of stalking victimizations against males were also perpetrated by males. Perpetrators of other forms of violence against males were mostly female. Violence in the 12 Months Prior to Taking the Survey • One percent, or approximately 1.3 million women, reported being raped by any perpetrator in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • Approximately 1 in 20 women and men (5.6% and 5.3%, respectively) experienced sexual violence victimization other than rape by any perpetrator in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • About 4% of women and 1.3% of men were stalked in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. • An estimated 1 in 17 women and 1 in 20 men (5.9% and 5.0%, respectively) experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in the 12 months prior to taking the survey. Health Consequences • Men and women who experienced rape or stalking by any perpetrator or physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime were more likely to report frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty with sleeping, activity limitations, poor physical health and poor mental health than men and women who did not experience these forms of violence. Women who had experienced these forms of violence were also more likely to report having asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes than women who did not experience these forms of violence. State-Level Estimates • Across all types of violence examined in this report, state-level estimates varied with lifetime estimates for women ranging from 11.4% to 29.2% for rape; 28.9% to 58% for sexual violence other than rape; and 25.3% to 49.1% for rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. • For men, lifetime estimates ranged from 10.8% to 33.7% for sexual violence other than rape; and 17.4% to 41.2% for rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Details: Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2012 at: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf Shelf Number: 123595 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalkingVictimization SurveyViolence Against Women |
Author: Moumneh, Rasha Title: “They Hunt Us Down for Fun”: Discrimination and Police Violence Against Transgender Women in Kuwait Summary: In 2007 the Kuwaiti parliament outlawed “imitating the opposite sex”, paving the way for police to arbitrarily detain, torture, and sexually harass and abuse transgender women in Kuwait with impunity. Despite a formal state recognition of Gender Identity Disorder, arrests of transgender women continue unabated. The police often take advantage of the law to blackmail transgender women for sex, and redress for police abuse is difficult, if not impossible, for fear of reprisal and re-arrest. The law does not criminalize any specific act or behavior, but rather an appearance whose interpretation is left entirely up to the whims of the police, giving them free reign to decide who is breaking the law and how it is broken. This report documents the abuse, violence, and persecution faced by transgender women at the hands of the police as well as the discrimination they face on a daily basis as a result of this law. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 17, 2012 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/kuwait0112ForUpload.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Kuwait URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/kuwait0112ForUpload.pdf Shelf Number: 123645 Keywords: Bias CrimesHate CrimesPolice Use of ForceSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceTransgenderViolence Against Women (Kuwait) |
Author: McHale, Thomas Title: "Every Home Has Its Secrets": A Mixed-Methods Study of Intimate Partner Violence, Women's Empowerment and Justice on Idjwi Island, Democratic Republic of the Congo Summary: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a little-studied but pervasive problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Through ethnographic, quantitative and legal analysis, this mixed methods study situates the problem of IPV on Idjwi Island, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo as a symptom of systematic women’s disempowerment. The study began with a literature review of IPV and sexual violence against women. Perceptions of IPV were collected as part of a population-level survey that interviewed 2,100 women in households across Idjwi. Simultaneously, a rapid ethnographic assessment was conducted to understand barriers to health care access and self-identified health issues. In these interviews, women revealed IPV is a significant health concern. This study suggests that IPV is normalized in Idjwi through an interaction between legal and cultural factors. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard University, 2011. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Student Working Paper Series: Accessed January 23, 2012 at: http://hhi.harvard.edu/images/resources/thomasmchale.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://hhi.harvard.edu/images/resources/thomasmchale.pdf Shelf Number: 123738 Keywords: Family ViolenceIntimate Partner Violence (Democratic Republic of Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Grieg, Alan Title: Mobilising Men in Practice: Challenging sexual and gender-based violence in institutional settings - Tools, Stories, Lessons Summary: Gender inequalities, and the violence that maintains them, are not simply a matter of individuals and their behaviours; they are maintained by the social, economic and political institutions that structure all of our lives. So, what can men do to work with women in challenging the institutionalised nature of sexual and gender-based violence? Through exploring ways of engaging men as gender activists within their every-day contexts, the Mobilising Men programme is working to better understand what it takes to confront sexual and gender-based violence in institutional settings. Since early 2010, the Institute for Development Studies, with support from UNFPA, has partnered with implementing civil society organisations in India, Kenya and Uganda to identify, recruit, train and support teams of male activists to work with women in developing campaigns to challenge and change the policies and cultures of specific institutional settings that condone or even fuel sexual and gender-based violence. ‘Mobilising Men in Practice’ brings together stories and lessons from this work, as well as some of the tools used by the partners in India, Kenya and Uganda. It is intended to inspire and guide others who are committed to engaging more men in efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence within the institutions in which we live our lives. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2012. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2012 at Year: 2012 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 124191 Keywords: Crime PreventionGender-Based ViolenceIndiaKenyaSexual ViolenceUganda |
Author: Wall, Liz Title: The many facets of shame in intimate partner sexual violence Summary: Sexual assaults are less likely to be reported to the police than physical assaults, while sexual assaults by a current partner are the least likely of all to be reported, even compared to other types of sexual assaults. Despite indications of a high prevalence rate of spousal sexual violence, there seems to be more reluctance on the part of victim/survivors to report or discuss spousal sexual violence compared to other types of sexual assaults. There is also reluctance to disclose sexual violence even when physical violence may be identified. This means that sexual assault may remain a hidden aspect of abuse in relationships, even where physical assaults are disclosed. The Australian Bureau of Statistics personal safety data also indicated that sexual assaults are less likely to be reported to the police than physical assaults, while sexual assaults by a current partner are the least likely of all to be reported, even compared to other types of sexual assaults. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2012. 10p. Source: Research Summary: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2012 at http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum1/ressum1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum1/ressum1.pdf Shelf Number: 124220 Keywords: Crime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceIntimate Partner Violence (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Feltes, Thomas et al Title: Gender-Based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 394p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_final_report_printable_version.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_final_report_printable_version.pdf Shelf Number: 124572 Keywords: Fear of CrimeGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Balloni, Augusto Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report Italy Summary: The results of this research, and especially the interviews with stakeholders within and outwith the universities, clearly reveal the difficulty of defining the nature and the extent of the phenomenon. The parties involved cannot say how often the University of Bologna’s female students may have encountered problems with stalking, harassment or sexual violence, due to a lack of incontrovertible data on the phenomenon. There is no formal documentation regarding episodes or elements connected with the cases that have occurred within the university or requests for assistance on the part of students in difficulty. Indeed, many interviewees believe that the target, the reference sample, is too specific, in that it covers a sector of the population - female university students – that is not easy to identify, because even when a victim formally reports the crime to the police, detailed information on the victim is often not available. If the offence is not reported, and the victim decides instead to confide in family or friends, this information will be even more difficult to find; and even if the student turns to a specialised centre against gender violence, the fact she is a university student has little bearing on the collection of statistical data. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 32p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_italy_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Italy URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_italy_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124574 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Czapska, Janina Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K. This research conducted within the framework of GAP grant project was the first of this scale and nature in Poland. Research in this area should continue in the form of cyclical polling research in universities/institutions of higher education that are participating in the project. It is also recommended to further expand the existing questionnaire for its application in other institutions 57 of higher education. Conducting research in a few countries at the same time allows deepening of the analysis. Due to the introduction of criminalization of stalking in 2011, it would be most desirable to conduct European comparative research both in the area of legal regulations as well in the practical application of the law. Such research – in addition to an unquestionable knowledge-building value – would provide a unique opportunity to analyze innovation through law, especially since – as suggest the results of the GAP project – European countries differ in their recognition of stalking as a crime. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 59p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_poland_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Poland URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_poland_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124575 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Bodelon, Encarna Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report Spain Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K.. Most of the recommendations and proposals derived from the research in the Spanish case were obtained from the qualitative fieldwork. Many similar proposals were made in the discussion groups and in-depth interviews with the students and interviews with the agents. However, in the case of the students, there was a high degree of consensus that university authorities, and those outside the university, had a responsibility and obligation to implement preventive and response measures against gender-based violence in general, and sexual violence in particular. However, in the case of those stakeholders interviewed, their ignorance of the phenomenon and its incidence and causes, means that many are not able to clearly see this responsibility, or to propose measures to prevent it or act upon it in the university. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 38p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_spain_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Spain URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_spain_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124576 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Stenning, Philip Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report United Kingdom Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K.. The UK NUS (2010) study has suggested that in order to raise awareness, challenge inappropriate behaviour and attitudes and make students feel safe on campus, awareness of violence against women must be raised amongst staff and students. Sloane (2011) has suggested that student unions, potentially via equality officers, take responsibility for running educational campaigns, and that such campaigns should be commonplace. Campaigns should include information around the acts that constitute gender-based sexual violence, the accountability of perpetrators, its prevalence and impacts on survivors (NUS, 2010; Sloane, 2011). Such work is likely to help faculty staff, women and friends who are told about victimising experiences recognise how to respond effectively. Sloane (2011) suggested that such training be made available to all staff throughout the university, to ensure they are made aware of the relevant institutional policies and procedures on how to address harassment and violence when it is reported. Indeed, the NUS (2010) argued that gender-based sexual violence issues must be supported by strong institutional policy on the topic. Policy must be linked to meaningful outcomes, such as reducing instances of harassment, abuse and stalking, through educational or rehabilitation methods. Policy must also address the actions that institutions will take against perpetrators and specify how they will be supported to address their behaviour. Other recommendations made by the NUS (2010) study and closely echoed in the recommendations of Sloane (2011), include ensuring there are clear channels of communication for reporting offences to the university/police and for seeking counselling and support. Counselling services should provide a free, quality service which 35% 42% 43% 43% 46% 56% 59% 61% 75% 88% To be advised without a third party To have a person allocated to me To be advised without bureaucracy To be advised anonymously To be able to contact someone 24 hrs a day To get an appointment straight away To be treated with compassion No pressure into making a complaint To be advised for free To be listened to and taken seriously Students' wishes (n=626) 45 ensures confidentiality, 24-hour cover, female support workers and is easily accessible. Emphasis was also placed on ensuring women feel believed when they relay their accounts and that the university can effectively refer to other agencies if need cannot be met by the institution. As such, strong links between universities, student unions, police, National Health Services and victim services must be developed and fostered. The NUS also recommend peer-led self-help groups for those who have experienced victimisation as well as the option of one-to-one counselling. The support services that are available need to be widely promoted and contact information should be included on student union websites (NUS, 2010; Valls et al., 2007). Services must also remain sensitive to the particular needs of international students including language barriers and religious factors which may impact on the victimisation experience (Sloane, 2011). Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 50p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_united_kingdom_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_united_kingdom_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124577 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Seelinger, Kim Thuy Title: The Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Violence Summary: Sexual violence occurs all over the world. A form of gender-based violence, sexual violence has been defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic a person’s sexuality, using coercion, threats of harm or physical force, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.” It takes myriad forms – for example, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage, genital mutilation, sexual slavery or trafficking. It can happen in a bedroom, alleyway or war zone. And, though the vast majority of victims are women, men and boys can also be victims, and women can be perpetrators. In this paper, we review the many challenges of prosecuting crimes of sexual violence, describing those challenges at each stage of the “life-cycle” of a sexual violence case. Although the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has greatly increased the international community’s ability to prosecute sexual violence, national courts remain the principal site for rendering individuals accountable. The experience of the ICC and other international tribunals provides key lessons in how these cases should be prosecuted, and we draw on them extensively in this paper. However, our ultimate goal is to highlight some promising practices for the effective prosecution of sexual violence crimes in national courts. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California Berkeley, 2011. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Sexual Violence and Accountability Project, Working Paper Series: Accessed March 29, 2012 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_IandP.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_IandP.pdf Shelf Number: 124763 Keywords: Prosecution, Sex CrimeRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Koenig, K. Alexa Title: The Jurisprudence of Sexual Violence Summary: This paper provides an overview of the international jurisprudence of sexual violence, focusing on legal milestones realized by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal Court. This paper also offers a brief, comparative case study of how Kenya and its neighbors are currently adopting and adapting international criminal law to enhance their domestic legal frameworks, to facilitate the prosecution of sexual violence within their borders. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California Berkeley, 2011 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Sexual Violence and Accountability Project, Working Paper Series: Accessed March 29, 2012 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_Jurisprudence.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/HRCweb/pdfs/SVA_Jurisprudence.pdf Shelf Number: 124764 Keywords: Prosecution, Sex CrimesRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: California State Auditor. Bureau of State Audits Title: Sex Offender Commitment Program: Streamlining the Process for Identifying Potential Sexually Violent Predators Would Reduce Unnecessary or Duplicative Work Summary: This report concludes that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Corrections) and the Department of Mental Health’s (Mental Health) processes for identifying and evaluating sexually violent predators (SVPs) are not as efficient as they could be and at times have resulted in the State performing unnecessary work. The current inefficiencies in the process for identifying and evaluating potential SVPs stems in part from Corrections’ interpretation of state law. These inefficiencies were compounded by recent changes made by voters through the passage of Jessica’s Law in 2006. Specifically, Jessica’s Law added more crimes to the list of sexually violent offenses and reduced the required number of victims to be considered for the SVP designation from two to one, and as a result many more offenders became potentially eligible for commitment. Additionally, Corrections refers all offenders convicted of specified criminal offenses enumerated in law but does not consider whether an offender committed a predatory offense or other factors that make the person likely to be an SVP, both of which are required by state law. As a result, the number of referrals Mental Health received dramatically increased from 1,850 in 2006 to 8,871 in 2007, the first full year Jessica’s Law was in effect. In addition, in 2008 and 2009 Corrections referred 7,338 and 6,765 offenders, respectively. However, despite the increased number of referrals it received, Mental Health recommended to the district attorneys or the county counsels responsible for handling SVP cases about the same number of offenders in 2009 as it did in 2005, before the voters passed Jessica’s Law. In addition, the courts ultimately committed only a small percentage of those offenders. Further, we noted that 45 percent of Corrections’ referrals involved offenders whom Mental Health previously screened or evaluated and had found not to meet SVP criteria. Corrections’ process did not consider the results of previous referrals or the nature of parole violations when re-referring offenders, which is allowable under the law. Our review also found that Mental Health primarily used contracted evaluators to perform its evaluations—which state law expressly permits through the end of 2011. Mental Health indicated that it has had difficulty attracting qualified evaluators to its employment and hopes to remedy the situation by establishing a new position with higher pay that is more competitive with the contractors. However, it has not kept the Legislature up to date regarding its efforts to hire staff to perform evaluations, as state law requires, nor has it reported the impact of Jessica’s Law on the program. Details: Sacramento: California State Auditor, 2011. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Report 2010-116: Accessed March 30, 2012 at: http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2010-116.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2010-116.pdf Shelf Number: 124771 Keywords: Sex Offenders (California)Sexual ViolenceViolent Offenders |
Author: Morrison & Foerster, DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins and Reed Smith for MADRE Title: Achieving Justice for Victims of Rape and Advancing Women's Rights: A Comparative Study of Legal Reform Summary: The aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 saw a dramatic increase in sexual violence and gave fresh impetus to long standing calls for rape law reform. International women's rights organisation MADRE requested this research to support the subsequent reform of rape legislation. The report reviews rape legislation and procedures in Brazil, Canada, France, South Africa, Sweden and the United States and supplies concrete examples of laws and policies that implement women's human rights. It includes models for statutes, protocols for victim services, and guides to police and prosecutorial procedures which respect the experiences of victims and advance gender justice. Morrison & Foerster led and coordinated this research, working with DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins and Reed Smith. Aside from the Haitian context, the research undertaken should be equally useful for the development of gender-based violence laws all over the world. Details: London: Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 26, 2012 at: http://www.trust.org/documents/connect/Madrev16-1final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.trust.org/documents/connect/Madrev16-1final.pdf Shelf Number: 125066 Keywords: Human RightsRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Beck, Allen J. Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Former State Prisoners, 2008 Summary: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) conducted the first-ever National Former Prisoner Survey (NFPS) between January 2008 and October 2008. NORC at the University of Chicago, under a cooperative agreement with BJS, collected the data. A total of 317 parole offices in 40 states were randomly included in the survey sample. A total of 17,738 former state prisoners who were under active supervision (i.e., required to contact a supervisory parole authority regularly in person, by mail, or by telephone) participated in the national survey. Interviews from an additional 788 former prisoners were included from the survey test sites. These former inmates had been randomly selected from 16 offices sampled. Based on 18,526 completed interviews, the survey achieved a 61% response rate. 9.6% of former state prisoners reported one or more incidents of sexual victimization during the most recent period of incarceration in jail, prison, or a postrelease community-treatment facility Among the 18,526 former state inmates participating in the NFPS survey, 2,096 reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization during their most recent period of incarceration, including the combined time in local jails, state prisons, or post-release communitytreatment facilities. Because the NFPS is a sample survey, weights were applied to the sampled offices and offenders under their supervision to produce national-level estimates. The estimated number of former state prisoners experiencing sexual victimization totaled 49,000, or 9.6% of all former state prisoners under active supervision at midyear 2008 (table 1). Among all former state prisoners, 1.8% reported experiencing one or more incidents while in a local jail, 7.5% while in a state prison, and 0.1% while in a postrelease community-treatment facility. An estimated 1.4% reported an incident in a facility for which the type could not be determined. 5.4% of former inmates reported an incident with another inmate; 5.3% reported an incident with staff Among former state prisoners, 5.4% (or an estimated 27,300 prisoners nationwide at midyear 2008) reported an incident that involved another inmate, and 5.3% (27,100) reported an incident that involved facility staff. Some inmates (1.1%) reported sexual victimization by both another inmate and facility staff. An estimated 3.7% of former prisoners said they had nonconsensual sex with another inmate, including manual stimulation and oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. An additional 1.6% of former prisoners said they had experienced one or more abusive sexual contacts only with another inmate, including unwanted touching of the inmate’s buttocks, thigh, penis, breast, or vagina in a sexual way. An estimated 1.2% of former prisoners reported that they unwillingly had sex or sexual contact with facility staff. An estimated 4.6% said they “willingly” had sex or sexual contact with staff. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Offi ce of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2012. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 17, 2012 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svrfsp08.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svrfsp08.pdf Shelf Number: 125342 Keywords: Prison RapeSexual Assaults, PrisonersSexual Victimization, Inmates (U.S.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Meng, Grace Title: Cultivating Fear: The Vulnerability of Immigrant Farmworkers in the US to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Summary: Producing food consumed throughout the country, hundreds of thousands of immigrant women and girls in the United States today work in fields, packing houses, and other agricultural workplaces where they face a real and significant risk of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Cultivating Fear, based on interviews with over 50 farmworkers and 110 advocates, agricultural industry representatives, and government officials, documents cases of rape, stalking, unwanted touching, exhibitionism, and verbal harassment, perpetrated by supervisors, co-workers, employers, and others in positions of power. Although farmworkers are protected in theory from workplace sexual violence and harassment under US civil and criminal law, farmworker women and girls face systemic barriers—as farmworkers and often as unauthorized immigrants—to reporting abuses and helping bring perpetrators to justice. Human Rights Watch calls on employers to take responsibility for the safety of their workers and on local police to ensure unauthorized immigrant victims are able to report crimes without fear of deportation. Most critically, Human Rights Watch calls on the US government to reform immigration and labor law and policy, at the federal and state levels, to ensure that the workers whose labor sustains US agriculture are able to fully assert their rights to protection from workplace sexual violence and harassment. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2012. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 18, 2012 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0512ForUpload_1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0512ForUpload_1.pdf Shelf Number: 125258 Keywords: Immigrants (U.S.)RapeSex OffensesSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Title: The Bully-Sexual Violence Pathway in Early Adolescence Summary: The focus of this ASAP is to highlight the early findings from a three-year study aimed to examine the overlap between bullying and sexual violence victimization and perpetration in five middle schools in a Midwest state. The first two waves of the study have shown that bullying perpetration and homophobic teasing were significant predictors of sexual harassment perpetration over time. While these findings are preliminary, they do suggest that homophobic teasing may be a component of bullying that may increase the potential for sexual harassment later. In other words, a bully perpetrator who also used homophobic teasing may later turn to sexual harassment. Details: Washington, DC: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. 4p. Source: ASAP Brief: Internet Resource: Accessed June 13, 2012 at http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/ASAP_BullyingSV-a.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/ASAP_BullyingSV-a.pdf Shelf Number: 125348 Keywords: BullyingHomophobiaJuvenile OffendersSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: Broadhurst, Roderic Title: Hong Kong International Violence Against Women Survey: Final Report of the 2006 Hong Kong IVAWS Summary: From 2003 to 2009, the International Violence Against Women Survey (IVAWS) has been conducted in 12 developed and developing countries. The IVAWS is a comprehensive instrument that measures women's experiences of physical and sexual violence by men, including intimate partners, victim' helpseeking behaviour and the response of the criminal justice system. The instrument contains behaviour-specific questions and interviews are conducted solely by female callers, who have been trained in understanding the ways in which violence affects women and how they may react to the survey questions. The IVAWS uses standardised questionnaires and data collection methods, which makes it possible to reliably compare data across time, countries and cultures. Between December 2005 and March 2006, a random sample of 1,297 Hong Kong women was interviewed by telephone about their experiences of violence using the IVAWS instrument. Demographic and socio-economic data were collected as well as details of their current and former intimate relationships. Women were asked whether since the age of 16 years, in the previous five years and in the past year they had been the victims of physical (including threats of violence) or sexual (including unwanted touching) violence by men. Further questions probed who the perpetrator was, particularly whether it was an intimate partner, a relative, a friend or acquaintance, or a stranger. From their responses, adult lifetime, five-year and one-year prevalence estimates are computed. Women who had experienced violence since the age of 16 were asked a series of questions about the most recent incident either by an intimate partner or a non-partner, including whether they had reported their victimisation to the police and/or victim support services. Respondents involved in an intimate relationship were also asked about the socio-demographics and behavioural characteristics of their partner. Using information on the women and their partner, we examine the predictors of violent victimisation. Details: Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, Social Sciences Research Centre; Canberra: The Australian National University, Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2012. 111p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2012 at: http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/146076/1/Content.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Hong Kong URL: http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/146076/1/Content.pdf Shelf Number: 125414 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceVictimization SurveyViolence Against Women (Hong Kong) |
Author: Somach, Susan D. Title: Egypt Violence Against Women Study: Literature Review of Violence Against Women Summary: As the Egyptian National Council for Women (NCW) and USAID-funded Combating Violence Against Women project designed the elements of the multi-dimensional study of violence against women in Egypt, the project began surveying available research and information from international, regional, and Egyptian sources. Violence Against Women and Gender Specialist Susan Somach and Combating Violence project Research Manager Gihan AbuZeid conducted the initial review of research, which was supplemented by a bibliography prepared by Social, Planning, Analysis, and Administration Consultants. The research team also conducted individual and group meetings with academics and researchers at project start-up to identify current research and gaps that should be filled by the NCW— Combating Violence Study of Violence Against Women. The purpose of the literature review was to build on the base of existing knowledge and to avoid duplication of efforts. In addition to the literature summarized here, the Egyptian experts involved in the study also surveyed available research in their own areas of expertise, again to build on existing knowledge and to avoid overlapping efforts. The review of research continued throughout the study process, culminating in this literature review. The review concludes by identifying gaps in research, many of which are addressed by the elements of the larger violence against women study. Details: Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development, 2009. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADQ891.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Egypt URL: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADQ891.pdf Shelf Number: 125519 Keywords: Abused WivesDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Egypt) |
Author: Australia. Victims of Crime Coordinator Title: A Rollercoaster Ride: Victims of Sexual Assault: Their Experiences with and Views about the Criminal Justice Process in the ACT 2009 Summary: This report provides information principally derived from two studies involving a number of adults who had experienced a sexual assault and who had reported the incident to police in the ACT. The first component involved qualitative interviews with individual victims of sexual assault to ascertain in depth their views and experiences of the criminal justice process. The second involved the research participants answering questions about procedural fairness using a computer program specifically designed for a larger national research project. The decision to report a sexual assault to police has far reaching implications for the women and girls, men and boys who chose to do so. While any individual person will be influenced by a range of factors in deciding to disclose, or not, those interviewed for this research primarily felt motivated to protect themselves and to protect the community by reporting the incident(s) to police. Victims of sexual assault who participate in the criminal justice process do so with a high degree of ambivalence mixed with a strong sense of responsibility to see justice done. Victims of sexual assault value highly the principles of procedural fairness. They rank highly the principles of honesty, absence of bias, fair and just decision-making, and inclusion. They value being treated with respect, sensitivity and fairness. They value being made to feel safe and being given clear and timely information. How victims of sexual assault experience these principles and values in reality produces a mixed picture in the ACT. Most of those interviewed for this research found the police, prosecutors and victim liaison staff to be supportive and positive. Consequently, they did not consider withdrawing their report. For those who actually appeared in court, the judiciary was experienced as supportive and respectful. Interviewees valued the contact made by victim liaison staff in the justice agencies, and considered the support and counselling provided by the various victim services to be helpful and encouraging. Those victims who appeared in court generally found the experience of defence lawyers to be humiliating and difficult. A range of specific aspects to the criminal justice process were noted by the participants to this research to be unhelpful and discouraging. In particular, comments or behaviour from justice practitioners that was interpreted as lacking in empathy, understanding or belief, inadequate information, insufficient preparation and lack of follow up, not being given opportunities to be involved or to be heard, some counselling support being difficult to access, the length of time the process took and number of adjournments, and media intrusiveness. Perhaps surprisingly, victims interviewed for this report were unanimous that their decision to report to police was right for them and that they would encourage reporting to a friend who was sexually assaulted. One, however, was ambivalent about reporting in the future if she herself was sexually assaulted again. All participants wanted the offender apprehended, charged, convicted and rehabilitated (often in prison) because they wanted to ensure that others were safe. On the question of victim choice and control, all participants in the research project thought the police and prosecutors needed to have the control over the laying of charges and decisions to prosecute. They believed it shouldn’t be about their preference. At the same time, all those interviewed felt that police and prosecutors should ask victims their views, and be supportive and respectful of these in the decision-making process. Similarly, all participants in the research project felt that their views should be taken into account at sentencing but did not feel the decisions about length of sentence and type of punishment should be up to them. They thought the judge should take account of their views and their victim impact statement but that the decision should remain with the judge. A number of matters limit the general applicability of the findings of this research project. These are that only a small number of people provided feedback, the participants were all adult, and a majority of participants not only had the offence committed against them charged and prosecuted, but also the majority had their case result in a plea or finding of guilt. These last two factors are generally atypical in all Australian jurisdictions. Details: Canberra: ACT Government, 2009. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2012 at: http://www.unb.ca/observ/documents/ARollercoasterRideFINAL.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.unb.ca/observ/documents/ARollercoasterRideFINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 125741 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceVictims of CrimesVictims of Sexual Assault, Criminal Justice System |
Author: Jewkes, Rachel Title: Rape Perpetration: A Review Summary: Rape can have an enduring impact on the lives, and health of victims, their families and communities. Both men and women perpetrate sexual violence (Sikweyiya Y and Jewkes 2009), however the majority of sexual offences are committed by men (Steffensmeier D, Zhong H et al. 2006). Research on what drives perpetration of rape and other forms of sexual violence is needed to inform prevention programmes – for this it is necessary to study men. This review summarises research on risk factors for sexual violence perpetration, the methodologies used to identify these risk factors and discusses the implications of this research for rape prevention strategies. Most of the literature reviewed focused on perpetration of sexual violence by men against women and girls. For the purposes of this review, risk factors are factors that increase the risk (likelihood) of a person perpetrating sexual violence. The review provides an overview of current discussions in the research literature around the main factors associated with rape perpetration, it does not follow the approach of systematic review, although the authors sought to identify all published papers on rape perpetration. In identifying this literature an internet search was conducted for published papers or reports with empirical research on rape perpetration from 1990 onwards. In so doing, 3,325 abstracts were identified; yielding 293 papers of interest for the study. The review includes qualitative and quantitative studies along with studies that discussed the origins, risk factors or frameworks for thinking about perpetration. Only English language databases were searched. Details: Pretoria: Oak Foundation, 2012. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2012 at: http://www.svri.org/RapePerpetration.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.svri.org/RapePerpetration.pdf Shelf Number: 125865 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Pearce, J.J. Title: Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation. A Scoping Exercise for The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England Summary: This report outlines the findings of a scoping exercise on Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation undertaken for the Children's Commissioner for England. The data collected for this scoping exercise is derived from two main sources: o A literature review using key words/phrases including: gangs; young people; sexual violence; sexual violence against girls and young women; sexual violence against boys and young men; sexual exploitation in gang-affected neighbourhoods. It has accessed scholarly literature, central and local government reports and policy documents (e.g. Manchester City Council Child Protection Scrutiny Committee report, West Yorkshire Police Authority Gang Culture Scoping Exercise report) the publications of relevant think tanks (e.g. Centre for Social Justice), pressure groups (e.g. Race on the Agenda) and children's charities (e.g. NSPCC, Barnardo‟s, St Michael‟s Fellowship, The Children‟s Society). The remit of the review includes literature published before the end of January 2011; Appendix one includes brief reference to a number of key documents published after this point. o Interviews with lay and professional „key informants‟ with experience of living and working in gang-affected neighbourhoods and of working with sexual violence (including sexual exploitation) directed against children and young people. Details: Bedford, UK: University of Bedfordshire, Institute for Applied Social Research; London: Children's Commissioner for England, 2011. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 10, 2012 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/127371/OCC_Uni-of-Beds-Literature-Review_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 125957 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceYouth Gangs |
Author: Roth, Lenny Title: Provocation and Self-Defence in Intimate Partner and Sexual Advance Homicides Summary: The partial defence of provocation [2]: Provocation is a partial defence to murder. If the prosecution or jury accepts the defence, it results in a conviction for manslaughter instead of murder. The defence developed in English courts in the 16th and 17th centuries. At that time, the death penalty was mandatory for persons convicted of murder. In addition, it was considered virtuous for a man of honour to respond with controlled violence to certain forms of offensive behaviour. If he overreacted to some degree, but not disproportionately, such overreaction was considered to be natural human frailty. The current statutory version of the defence in NSW applies where: (a) the act causing death was the result of a loss of self-control on the part of the accused that was induced by any conduct of the deceased towards or affecting the accused; and (b) that conduct of the deceased was such as could have induced an ordinary person in the position of the accused to have so far lost self control as to have formed an intent to kill, or to inflict grievous bodily harm upon, the deceased. Debate about the provocation defence [3]: Several criticisms have been made about the defence including that provocation and a loss of self-control is an inappropriate basis for a partial defence; that the defence is gender-biased; that the test for the defence is conceptually confused and difficult for juries to understand; and that, as there is no longer a mandatory sentence for murder, provocation should be taken into account in sentencing. Concerns have, in particular, been expressed about the acceptance of the defence in cases where men have killed their female partners; and in cases where men have killed in response to a non-violent sexual advance by a homosexual person. Some argue that the provocation defence should be reformed, and others, that it should be abolished. Arguments for retaining the defence include that provoked killers are not 'murderers'; that juries should decide questions of culpability; that abolishing the defence would lead to increased sentences and uncertainty, and that it would also increase community dissatisfaction with sentencing. Statistics on use of provocation defence [4]: A report by the Judicial Commission of NSW contains data on the use of provocation in NSW in the period from 1990 to 2004. The report found that provocation was raised in 115 cases and it was successful in 75 of these cases. Other findings included that: · there were 11 male offenders that successfully relied on provocation in the context of infidelity or the breakdown of an intimate relationship; · there were 3 male offenders that successfully relied on provocation in the context of an alleged violent confrontation with his female partner; · there were 11 offenders who successfully relied on provocation in the context of an alleged homosexual advance; and · there were 10 cases where a woman successfully relied on provocation after killing her violent male partner. Kate Fitz-Gibbon conducted a review of convictions for manslaughter on the basis of provocation in the NSW Supreme Court in the period from January 2005 to December 2012. This review identified 15 cases where the provocation defence was successful. It was noted that five of these cases involved a non-violent confrontation. In three of these cases the victim was the current or estranged female partner of the male defendant; and in two of these cases, the killing resulted from an allegation of infidelity by the defendant. Recent provocation defence cases in NSW [5]: A recent provocation defence case is Singh v R. In that case, Mr Singh had moved to Australia on a spousal visa, his wife having already moved to Australia on a study visa. Their relationship began to deteriorate from the time of his arrival in Australia. During an argument, Mr Singh killed his wife, strangling her and cutting her throat at least eight times with a Stanley knife. According to the offender, during their confrontation, his wife had slapped him several times, and told him that she had never loved him, that she only loved another man, and that she would make sure he was kicked out of the country. The offender was charged with murder but the jury convicted him of manslaughter on the basis of provocation. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years. Provocation reform proposals in NSW [6]: In 1997, the NSW Law Reform Commission published a report on provocation, which recommended retaining the defence but reformulating it. The Commission rejected the option of specifically excluding the operation of the defence in cases where men killed female partners after a relationship breakdown, or in cases of killings in response to homosexual advances. It also rejected the option of removing the “loss of self-control” requirement in the defence to make it more available to women who kill their violent partners. In 1998, a Working Party published its report on killings in response to homosexual advances, which recommended amending the defence. The recommendations that were made by the Commission and the Working Party have not been implemented. Provocation reforms in other States [7]: In 2003, Tasmania became the first Australian jurisdiction to abolish the provocation defence. Since then, two other States have also abolished the defence: Victoria in 2005 and Western Australia in 2008. In Queensland, the defence was recently amended to reduce the scope of it being available to those who kill out of sexual possessiveness or jealousy. The Queensland Law Reform Commission had recommended amending, rather than abolishing, the defence but the mandatory life sentence for murder weighed heavily in coming to this conclusion. The Queensland Government has recently stated that, at this stage, it will not amend the defence to expressly exclude cases involving non-violent sexual advances. This is a reform that has been enacted in the ACT and Northern Territory. Provocation reforms in other countries [8]: The defence of provocation was abolished in New Zealand in 2009. In the United Kingdom, provocation was replaced in 2009 with a new partial defence known as "loss of control". This defence only applies if the defendant's loss of self-control had a "qualifying trigger". One of the triggers is that the loss of self-control was attributable to a thing done or said which constituted circumstances of an extremely grave character; and which caused the defendant to have a justifiable sense of being wronged. However, "the fact that a thing done or said constituted sexual infidelity is to be disregarded". The other trigger is if the defendant's loss of self-control was due to the defendant's fear of serious violence from the victim or another person. In 2009, the Law Reform Commission of Ireland recommended retaining but reformulating the partial defence. Self-defence and excessive self-defence [9]: The defence of self-defence is a complete defence to murder. If the jury accepts the defence it results in an acquittal. Previously, the defence was defined by the common law. In 2001, the defence was codified in legislation in NSW. The defence applies if: (a) a person believed that their conduct was necessary to defend themself or another person; and (b) the person's conduct was a reasonable response in the circumstances as they perceived them. In 2001, the partial defence of excessive self-defence was also reintroduced in NSW (as with the defence of provocation, this partial defence reduces murder to manslaughter). The partial defence of excessive self-defence applies if a person believed that their conduct was necessary to defend themself but this conduct was not to a reasonable response in the circumstances as they perceived them. Self-defence and women who kill their violent partners [10]: Longstanding concerns have been held about the difficulties women face in relying on self-defence when they have killed male partners in the context of a prolonged period of domestic violence and for reasons of self-preservation. The difficulties have arisen, in part, because of the traditional association of self-defence with a one-off spontaneous encounter, such as a pub brawl. The legal test for self-defence has evolved over time and may be broad enough to accommodate women's experiences. The current provision does not require that the threat be imminent or that the response be proportionate. However, the application of the defence in this context is still problematic because these continue to be significant factors in determining whether the defence has been made out. In response to the difficulties that women have faced in relying on self-defence, defence lawyers have attempted to call expert evidence showing that a woman who killed her abusive partner was suffering from "battered woman syndrome". One part of this "syndrome" is that women find it difficult to break out of a cycle of violence because of "learned helplessness". In the 1998 decision of Osland v The Queen, the High Court affirmed that this evidence was admissible but Justice Kirby noted that the syndrome was controversial. More recently, reliance on the battered woman syndrome has been criticised, and researchers have called for an acceptance of expert evidence which places greater emphasis on the social realities of a woman's situation and which reflects the current state of knowledge about the dynamics of abusive relationships. The reintroduction of the partial defence of excessive self-defence may assist women who have killed their abusive partner but who cannot satisfy all of the elements of self-defence. However, a concern has been raised that the availability of this defence may prevent women from being acquitted on the basis of self-defence, due to the existence of an 'easy' middle option. A Judicial Commission of NSW study on partial defences found that between 2002 and June 2005, two women had successfully relied on the partial defence of excessive self-defence after killing their male partners. In both cases, the woman was under attack when she killed her partner. Self-defence reforms in other States [11]: Since 1987, most Australian jurisdictions have enacted new statutory provisions on the complete defence of self-defence. Some jurisdictions have also reintroduced the partial defence of excessive self defence. This paper focused on developments in three States: Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland. Victoria (in 2005) and Western Australia (in 2008) both enacted new provisions on the complete defence of self-defence and they also both reintroduced the partial defence of excessive self-defence (in Victoria, this was achieved by enacting a new provision on "defensive homicide"). Victoria also introduced special provisions that apply when family violence is alleged. The provisions state that a person may have reasonable grounds for believing that their conduct was necessary to defend themself even if they were responding to harm that was not immediate, or their response involved the use of excessive force. The provisions also set out a non-exhaustive list of the kinds of evidence that might be relevant to determining whether the person had the requisite belief and whether there were reasonable grounds for the belief. The way in which the defensive homicide provision has operated in Victoria (being mainly used by men) has attracted criticism and it is currently under review. In Queensland, the provisions on self-defence have not been reformed but in 2011 a new partial defence to homicide was enacted: "killing for preservation in an abusive relationship". This implemented, in part, the recommendations by two academics, who were commissioned by the Attorney-General in 2009 to consider the development of a separate defence for battered persons who kill their abusers. The report by the academics noted that there was a strong preference from within the legal community for a separate defence rather than for reform of the general law of self-defence. The report also noted that there was insufficient support for a separate complete defence. Commentators have been critical of the new partial defence which, they say, is very similar to the defence of self-defence but leads to a different result. Self-defence reports in other countries [12]: There have been no legislative reforms to self-defence in other countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada. Of these countries, only in New Zealand and Ireland has the relevant law reform commission considered the issue of self-defence for women who kill their violent partners. In 2001, the New Zealand Law Reform Commission recommended amending the law of self-defence to make it clear that there can be situations in which the use of force is reasonable where the danger is not imminent but is inevitable. A 2009 report by the Law Reform Commission of Ireland did not recommend any major reforms. National report on legal responses to family violence [13]: In October 2010, the Australian Law Reform Commission and the NSW Law Reform Commission jointly published a comprehensive report on family violence. One section of the report examined defences to homicide, including provocation and self-defence. The report made some general recommendations including: that governments should ensure that defences to homicide accommodate the experiences of family violence victims who kill; that governments should review their defences; and also that legislation should provide guidance about the potential relevance of family-violence related evidence in the context of a defence to homicide (along the lines of the Victorian model). Details: Sydney: NSW Parliamentary Research Services, 2012. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing Paper No 5/2012: Accessed August 11, 2012 at: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/F2BA1BFEED2D87EECA257A4800001BD7/$File/briefing%20paper.provocation%20and%20self-defence.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/F2BA1BFEED2D87EECA257A4800001BD7/$File/briefing%20paper.provocation%20and%20self-defence.pdf Shelf Number: 125970 Keywords: HomicidesIntimate Partner Violence (Australia)Provocation, Criminal LawRapeSelf-DefenseSexual Violence |
Author: Informal Sector Service Centre Title: A Study on Violence due to Witchcraft Allegation and Sexual Violence Summary: Nepal, as a member state of the United Nation, has ratified various International human rights treaties and convention related to the rights of women which explicitly shows Nepal’s commitment towards protecting and promoting the rights of women. However, the situation of women doesn’t seem satisfactory. More than 50 per cent of Nepal’s population is women but their status is still very poor. They have a lower status than men in each aspect of the Human Development Index. Illiteracy, patriarchal society and the economic dependency of women on man create grounds for male domination over woman. Accusations of the so-called practice of witchcraft, rape and incidents of sexual violence are some of the examples of violence against women which occur in Nepalese society. Women are able to gain 33% seats in the Constituent Assembly, but their voices are still suppressed and issues of women have not been sufficiently raised in the Constituent Assembly. The lack of effective laws, the poor implementation of existing laws and the unaccountability of the government authorities also contributed to the occurrence of violence against women. However, the pro-active role of the court and progressive decisions in some cases concerning women rights present a cause for hope. Still, so many improvements are required to prevent violence against women. In the year 2011, it was recorded that many women and girls were abused after being blamed of practicing witchcraft. Similarly, many more were made victims of rape and sexual abuse. The incidents of rape, sexual violence and accusations of the practice of witchcraft can be reduced by the combined efforts of multiple stakeholders. The role of civil society and human rights organizations remain crucial in this regard. A Study on Violence due to Witchcraft Allegation and Sexual Violence; 3 INSEC has presented the overall description and details of incidents of rape and sexual violence, and accusations of the practice of witchcraft practices in this report in the context of 102nd International Women's Day which I felt could be important means by which to assess the situation of women in Nepal and the respective authorities in addressing these problems in society. Details: Kathmandu, Nepal: INSEC, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 11, 2012 at: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/INSEC_AStudyOnViolenceDueToWitchcraftAllegationAndSexualViolence.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/INSEC_AStudyOnViolenceDueToWitchcraftAllegationAndSexualViolence.pdf Shelf Number: 125983 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenWitchcraft (Negal) |
Author: United States Agency for International Development Title: United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally Summary: Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Clinton, the United States has put gender equality and the advancement of women and girls at the forefront of the three pillars of U.S. foreign policy–diplomacy, development, and defense. This is embodied in the President’s National Security Strategy, the Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development, and the 2010 U.S. Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR). Evidence demonstrates that women’s empowerment is critical to building stable, democratic societies; to supporting open and accountable governance; to furthering international peace and security; to growing vibrant market economies; and to addressing pressing health and education challenges. Preventing and responding to gender-based violence is a cornerstone of the Administration’s commitment to advancing gender equality. Such violence significantly hinders the ability of individuals to fully participate in and contribute to their families and communities–economically, politically, and socially. Vice President Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act while in the Senate, has been a leader in efforts to end violence against women and girls for two decades. Secretary of State Clinton and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah also have been tireless advocates for ending gender-based violence, and have elevated this issue as a foreign policy priority. To further advance its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Obama Administration has developed this new strategy to prevent and respond more effectively to genderbased violence globally. The purpose of the strategy is to establish a government-wide approach that identifies, coordinates, integrates, and leverages current efforts and resources. The strategy provides Federal agencies with a set of concrete goals and actions to be implemented and monitored over the course of the next three years with an evaluation of progress midway through this period. At the end of the three-year timeframe, the agencies will evaluate the progress made and chart a course forward. To ensure a government-wide perspective in developing this strategy, the White House, at the request of the U.S. Department of State and USAID, convened representatives from the U.S. Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, Labor, Health and Human Services (including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health), and Homeland Security, as well as from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, USAID, the Peace Corps, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. These included representatives working on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Health Initiative (GHI), and the Office of the United States Government Special Advisor and Senior Coordinator for Children in Adversity. Additionally, the White House, the Department of State, and USAID held multiple consultations with civil society organizations to ensure that their perspectives informed the development of the strategy. Details: Washington, DC: USAID, 2012. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 17, 2012 at: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/196468.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/196468.pdf Shelf Number: 126057 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against GirlsViolence Against Women |
Author: Ouis, Pernilla Title: Gender-Based Sexual Violence Against Teenage Girls in the Middle East: A comparative situational analysis of honour violence, early marriages and sexual abuse in Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Yemen Summary: Working for the rights of girls in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been Save the Children Sweden’s priority for the last years. Teenage girls in the region are predominantly exposed to severe violations of their rights according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The present project was initiated in order to produce a situation analysis on girls exposure to gender-based sexual violence in the region, as a continuation of work previously initiated about the struggle for girls rights in the MENA region. Examining the situation of teenage girls from a child rights perspective is an innovative and constructive approach that is perhaps a more successful strategy to deal with the issue than using the regular gender perspective. Teenage girls are children, and as such, are entitled to special rights. The project focused on three particular types of sexual violence against teenage girls in Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and Yemen: honor violence, early marriages, and sexual abuse. The abovementioned forms of violence are related to sexuality, while only the two latter forms are sexual activities as such. Still, we categorize all three forms as sexual violence. Furthermore, since we are analysing these forms of sexual violence from a gender perspective, we can conclude that this violence is gender-based. Although boys are also victims in honourcultures, in the sense that they somehow are forced to “guard” and commit acts of violence against their sisters, we believe that the victims are primarily girls. We are concerned that girls are the most marginalised group in the region because they often face discrimination as females and as children. To focus too much on boys and other victims in honour cultures such as homosexuals, we believe would be another betrayal against the girls in the region. It should be stated that sexual violence against children exists in all societies around the world and is not a particular problem restricted to the MENA region. However, each society has its particular cultural-logic and mechanisms in the field of sexuality that have to be discerned and acknowledged. Some trends are general and almost universal, such as patriarchalism, as well as the shame and trauma associated to the victim of sexual abuse. This study emphasises analyzing in-depth gender-based sexual-abuse in the MENA region, rather than comparing the different problems between various cultures regarding this issue. Had our ambition been to compare various cultural traits and the problems of sexual violence between societies we would have had to conduct this study in a different way. Sexuality is often a controversial and charged topic touching the inner and existential aspects of our identity. Therefore, we are aware of the sensitivity of the subjects addressed in this report that include, gender roles, family building, religious morality, identity and kinship relations. Since this is a thorough analysis some of these aspects are criticized in the way that they are exploited for legitimising sexual abuse, for instance, Islam might be used to legitimise honour violence. By acknowledging this in our study, we do not say however, that Islam accepts honour-violence. Close kinship relations might be used as a method of psychological pressure on girls to marry early. Discussing this is not a criticism of kinship societies but only on some aspects of its practice. Details: Beirut, Lebanon: Save the Children Sweden, 2007. 173p Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 13, 2012 at http://www.crin.org/docs/Gender_based_sexual_Violence.pdf Year: 2007 Country: International URL: http://www.crin.org/docs/Gender_based_sexual_Violence.pdf Shelf Number: 126335 Keywords: Child Marriage (Lebanon) (Occupied Palestinian TerGender-Based Violence (Lebanon) (Occupied PalestinHonor Related Violence (Lebanon) (Occupied PalestiSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Adolescents |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota Summary: Since Native women are at exceptionally high risk for poverty, homelessness, and sexual violence which are elements in the trafficking of women, and because the needs of Native women are generally not being met, and because prostituted women are at extremely high risk for violence and emotional trauma, our goal was to assess the life circumstances of Native women in prostitution in Minnesota, a group of women not previously studied in research such as this. We assessed their needs and the extent to which those needs are or are not being met. We interviewed 105 Native women in prostitution for approximately 1.5 hours each, administering 4 questionnaires that asked about family history, sexual and physical violence throughout their lifetimes, homelessness, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociation, use of available services such as domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, rape crisis centers, and substance abuse treatment. We asked the women about the extent to which they connected with their cultures, and if that helped them or not. We asked about racism and colonialism. The questionnaires were both quantitative and qualitative. About half of the women met a conservative legal definition of sex trafficking which involves third-party control over the prostituting person by pimps or traffickers. Yet most (86%) interviewees felt that no women really know what they're getting into when they begin prostituting, and that there is deception and trickery involved. • 79% of the women we interviewed had been sexually abused as children by an average of 4 perpetrators. • More than two-thirds of the 105 women had family members who had attended boarding schools. • 92% had been raped. • 48% had been used by more than 200 sex buyers during their lifetimes. 16% had been used by at least 900 sex buyers. • 84% had been physically assaulted in prostitution. • 72% suffered traumatic brain injuries in prostitution • 98% were currently or previously homeless. • Racism was an emotionally damaging element in these women's lives and a source of ongoing stress. • 62% saw a connection between prostitution and colonization, and explained that the devaluation of women in prostitution was identical to the colonizing devaluation of Native people. • 33% spoke of Native cultural or spiritual practices as an important part of who they were. • 52% had PTSD at the time of the interview, a rate that is in the range of PTSD among combat veterans. 71% had symptoms of dissociation. • 80% had used outpatient substance abuse services. Many felt that they would have been helped even more by inpatient treatment. 77% had used homeless shelters. 65% had used domestic violence services. 33% had used sexual assault services. • 92% wanted to escape prostitution • Their most frequently stated needs were for individual counseling (75%) and peer support (73%), reflecting a need for their unique experiences as Native women in prostitution to be heard and seen by people who care about them. Two thirds needed housing and vocational counseling. • Many of the women felt they owed their survival to Native cultural practices. Most wanted access to Native healing approaches integrated with a range of mainstream services. Prostitution is a sexually exploitive, often violent economic option most often entered into by those with a lengthy history of sexual, racial and economic victimization. Prostitution is only now beginning to be understood as violence against women and children. It has rarely been included in discussions of sexual violence against Native women. It is crucial to understand the sexual exploitation of Native women in prostitution today in its historical context of colonial violence against nations. In order for a woman to have the real choice to exit prostitution, a range of services must be offered yet there are currently few or no available services especially designed for Native women in prostitution. We recommend increased state and federal funding for transitional and long term housing for Native women and others seeking to escape prostitution. We recommend increased funding for Native women's programs, including advocacy, physical and mental health care, job training and placement, legal services, and research on these topics. We urge state, local, and tribal officials to review and reconsider their policies toward victims of prostitution and We recommend increased state and federal funding for transitional and long term housing for Native women and others seeking to escape prostitution. We recommend increased funding for Native women's programs, including advocacy, physical and mental health care, job training and placement, legal services, and research on these topics. We urge state, local, and tribal officials to review and reconsider their policies toward victims of prostitution and trafficking, including this new research about Native women. The arrest and prosecution of victims is counter-productive and exacerbates their problems. As a Native woman interviewed for this research study said, "We need people with hearts." Arresting sex buyers, not their victims, is a more appropriate policy. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition; San Francisco, CA: Prostitution Research & Education, 2011. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2012 at: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/pdfs/Garden_of_Truth_Final_Project_WEB.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/pdfs/Garden_of_Truth_Final_Project_WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 126355 Keywords: Human TraffickingNative American Women (Minnesota)ProstitutionSexual AbuseSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Bileski, Matthew Title: The Reporting of Sexual Assault in Arizona, CY 2001-2010 Summary: Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) §41-2406, which became law in July 2005, requires the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) to maintain information obtained from disposition reporting forms submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) on sexual assault (A.R.S. §13-1406) and the false reporting of sexual assault involving a spouse (A.R.S. §13-2907.03). Utilizing DPS disposition data, ACJC is mandated to provide an annual report briefing the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house, the secretary of state, and the director of the Arizona state library, archives, and public records on sexual assault in Arizona. According to statute, the report is to contain the total number of police reports filed, the number of charges filed, the number of convictions, and the sentences assigned for sexual assault, sexual assault involving a spouse, and false reporting of sexual assault involving a spouse separately. All data for sexual assault involving a spouse must include whether or not the victim and the victim’s spouse were estranged at the time of the assault. The disposition data come from an extract of the Arizona Computerized Criminal History (ACCH) record system provided by DPS to ACJC in January 2012. By statute, the ACCH repository is populated with arrest and disposition reporting form information for all felony, sex offense, driving under the influence, and domestic violence-related charges submitted to DPS by local law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, and the courts. This report focuses on data from calendar years (CY) 2001 to 2010 and updates data reported in The Reporting of Sexual Assault in Arizona, CY2008-2009 report. Details: Tuczon: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Statistical Analysis Center, 2012. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 18, 2012 at: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2012%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report_Final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2012%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 126374 Keywords: RapeSexual Assault (Arizona)Sexual ViolenceSpouse AbueViolence Against Women |
Author: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Title: Access to Justice for Women Victims of Sexual Violence: Education and Health Summary: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights presented today the report Access to Justice for Women Victims of Sexual Violence: Education and Health. The report analyzes the problem of sexual violence in the educational and health institutions in the Americas and the challenges in access to justice for victims of this violence. As established in the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, or “Convention of Belém do Pará”, the States have the responsibility of acting to fight discrimination and violence against women in all spheres. Notwithstanding, the IACHR report indicates that sexual violence persists against women and girls in the spheres of education and health. The report also found under-reporting of the phenomenon and impunity in the majority of the cases. The report further indicates this type of violence is tolerated by the society given the framework of very hierarchical gender relations. The report identifies girls, indigenous women, women with disabilities and women affected by armed conflict as groups at particular risk to human rights violations. In the case of education, sexual violence tends to be regarded as the natural order of things and as part of discipline and punishment. In the sphere of health, the problem of sexual violence committed by physicians and health-care professionals is virtually invisible. This is due to insufficient norms, procedures for filing complaints and disciplinary investigation in hospitals and health care centers. It is also attributable to inadequate statistics as well as to the meager information available on the rights of patients. The IACHR emphatically reasserts its profound concern over the fact that sexual violence committed against women and girls in educational and health-care institutions still enjoys social acceptance and that the vast majority of these acts are never punished. Even today, this kind of violence in these settings prevents many women and girls across the Americas from fully exercising their rights to education and health. In order to comply with their international human rights obligations, the States must adapt their legislation, public policies and practices and substantially improve their protection systems and the access to justice for victims of this phenomenon. The IACHR reminds the States their obligation to adopt measures in order to make compatible their norms and practices with the American Declaration, the Inter-American Convention, and other international instruments for the protection of human rights, and to comply with the Convention of Belém do Pará, which establishes the obligation for the States to protect women from violence in all its forms and in all spheres, in order to ensure that they can freely exercise their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. The report contains urgent recommendations that seek to address sexual violence as an extreme form of discrimination and to ensure the basic guarantee of access to justice. The recommendations aim to improve the judicial response to acts of violence committed against women in educational institutions and health-care institutions. The Commission urges the States to overcome lingering cultural and legal obstacles to prevent and – failing that – to investigate and punish acts of sexual violence committed against women and girls in these settings. In addition, the IACHR calls on the States to create the conditions that enable women to use the justice systems to remedy the acts of violence they suffer and to be treated respectfully and decently by public officials. The Commission also calls upon the States to adopt public policies intended to put a stop to cultural patterns that regard sexual violence as the norm or that trivialize it. Details: Washington, DC: Organization of American States, 2011. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2012 at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/women/docs/pdf/SEXUALVIOLENCEEducHealth.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/women/docs/pdf/SEXUALVIOLENCEEducHealth.pdf Shelf Number: 126408 Keywords: Abused WomenAdministration of JusticeEducationHealthSexual Abuse VictimsSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Firmin, Carlene Title: Female Voice in Violence: Introductory Report: Phase 1: A Cross-Regional Study on the Impact of Gangs and Serious Youth Violence on Women and Girls Summary: Since 2008, the social policy think-tank Race on the Agenda (ROTA) has conducted research on the impact of serious youth and gang violence on women and girls. Their Female Voice in Violence project assesses the impact of serious youth violence, gangs and serious group offending on women and girls. In particular it addresses the policy context of violence against women and girls, and serious youth violence, at a national, regional and local level; and assesses the capacity of the third and statutory sector to respond to the needs of gang affected women and girls. This project has so far been London focused, but from 2010-2011 ROTA will develop cross regional research in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. In preparation for this fieldwork ROTA has produced this introductory report to introduce the National Research Programme. It details the introductory report research strategy, outlines the current gaps in policy and practice, and describes the current approaches taken across regions to address both serious youth violence and sexual violence. Details: London: Race on the Agenda, 2010. 50p., bibliography Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 126482 Keywords: Sexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenYouth Gangs (U.K.)Youth Violence |
Author: Prendergast, John Title: Can You Hear Congo Now? Cell Phones, Conflict Minerals, and the Worst Sexual Violence in the World Summary: The time has come to expose a sinister reality: Our insatiable demand for electronics products such as cell phones and laptops is helping fuel waves of sexual violence in a place that most of us will never go, affecting people most of us will never meet. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the scene of the deadliest conflict globally since World War II. There are few other conflicts in the world where the link between our consumer appetites and mass human suffering is so direct. This reality is not the result of an elaborate cover-up, either. Most electronic companies and consumers genuinely do not appreciate the complex chain of events that ties widespread sexual violence in Congo with the minerals that power our cell phones, laptops, mp3 players, video games, and digital cameras. But now that we are beginning to understand these linkages, we need to do all we can to expose them and bring this deadly war fuelled by “conflict minerals” to an end. As a start, the Enough Project has worked with other like-minded groups to create a conflict minerals pledge that commits electronics companies to ensure their products are conflict-free. We are initiating a consumer campaign aimed at encouraging the users of these electronics products to let the biggest companies know that it matters to us that our purchases don’t prolong this ongoing tragedy. Details: Washington, DC: The Enough Project, 2009. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: October 7, 2012 at http://www.enoughproject.org/files/Can%20Your%20Hear%20Congo%20Now.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/Can%20Your%20Hear%20Congo%20Now.pdf Shelf Number: 126635 Keywords: Armed ConflictCell PhonesConflict Minerals (DRC)RapeSexual Violence |
Author: Le Goaziou, Veronique Title: Rape Cases Brought to Assizes Courts: Typology and Geographical Variations Summary: While homicides have declined steadily in France since the mid 1980s, convictions for rape tripled between the second half of the 1980s and the close of the 1990s, then stagnated in the 2000s (see figure 1). This makes rape by far the crime most frequently tried by Assizes Courts. It is also an increasingly severely punished crime. Whereas in 1984 only 18% of prison sentences punishing this crime exceeded 10 years, in 2008 the figure had risen to 43%. Last, there is not only increased severity, but an increasing tendency to report this crime, one which victims rarely reported in earlier times. Rape cases therefore exemplify the trend toward criminalisation so characteristic of present-day society, with its increasing intolerance and denunciation of interpersonal violence (especially when committed on women or children). According to two major victimisation surveys conducted in 2000 and 2006, the number of rapes reported to pollsters did not increase in the meanwhile, whereas the number of rapes reported to the police did. But only 5 to 10% of victims, depending on the study, lodged a complaint with the police or the gendarmerie. The reality of the courts is a far throw from the social reality, then. The object of the present paper, based on the analysis of 425 rape cases heard by Assizes courts (see below), is to explore the variety of behaviour coming under the legal category of rape as defined by article 222-223 of the French Criminal Code and the following three articles describing specific aggravating circumstances. Details: Guyancourt, France: Centre de Recherches Sociologiques sur le Droit et les Institutions Penales (CESDIP), 2010. 4p. Source: Penal Issues, September 2010: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2012 at http://www.cesdip.fr/IMG/pdf/PI_09_2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: France URL: http://www.cesdip.fr/IMG/pdf/PI_09_2010.pdf Shelf Number: 126644 Keywords: ConvictionsCrime StatisticsProsecutions (France)Rape (France)Sexual Violence |
Author: Independent Police Complaints Commission Title: The Abuse of Police Powers to Perpetrate Sexual Violence Summary: The legal powers given to members of the police service, such as arrest and detention, provide status and influence as well as allowing coercive actions. The public expects police officers and staff to protect them; that is their role. Allegations that they have failed to protect, or indeed have abused, someone who is in a vulnerable position are therefore particularly serious. There are many ways in which such abuse might occur. This report, and the work that has informed it, was prompted by recognition of the fact that a number of cases involving sexual exploitation by police officers and staff who have abused the powers given to them are investigated every year. There was a need to examine how they might be prevented in future. One such recent case resulted in PC Stephen Mitchell of Northumbria police being convicted of five sexual offences and six counts of misconduct in public office. He received two life sentences. While this case was unusual in its seriousness it was by no means an isolated one. No one would wish to believe that this behaviour exists, in a service which seeks to help and protect, or where it is found can be attributed to no more than ‘one bad apple’. We do not know precisely how many people have been victims of police officers or staff abusing their powers; we are only aware of the individuals who have had the confidence to come forward. There is no evidence to suggest it is commonplace. However, the police service does have a responsibility to recognise it as a distinct area of corruption, and take steps to reduce its occurrence, identify as soon as possible if it occurs, and effectively deal with such cases. This report has been produced to raise the profile of cases involving the abuse of powers by police officers and staff to perpetrate sexual abuse or violence. Supported by a number of case study examples, the report includes a checklist of questions for the police service about the prevention, prediction, and investigation of this conduct. Details: London: Independent Police Complaints Commission, 2012. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2012 at: http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/reports/2012/201209AbPPtPSV.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/reports/2012/201209AbPPtPSV.pdf Shelf Number: 126672 Keywords: Police Misconduct (U.K.)Sex OffensesSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Crown Prosecution Service Title: Violence against Women and Girls Crime Report: 2011-2012 Summary: This CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Crime Report is the fifth edition published by the CPS. As in previous years, it covers a range of VAWG strands: • domestic violence • rape and sexual offences • human trafficking, with a focus on trafficking for sexual exploitation • prostitution, • forced marriage, honour based violence and female genital mutilation • child abuse • pornography. The report provides data and commentary in separate sections on each of the VAWG strands, including a number of case studies and good practice. Key issues that were identified in 2011-12 have been highlighted within each section and may differ according to strands. The CPS collects data14 to assist in the effective management of its prosecution functions. The CPS does not collect data which constitutes official statistics as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 200715. Equality profiles of defendants, by gender and ethnicity, are assessed and reported on in this report. Data on victims are reported where available and are still under further development. Details: London: Crown Prosecution Services, 2012. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 5, 2012 at: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/cps_vawg_report_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 126876 Keywords: Child AbuseDomestic ViolenceHonor-Based ViolenceHuman TraffickingPornographyProsecutionProstitutionRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women and Girls (U.K.) |
Author: New Zealand. Ministry of Women's Affairs Title: Lightning Does Strike Twice: Preventing Sexual Revictimisation Summary: In 2009, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MWA) published the findings from a cross-departmental research project on effective interventions for adult victim/survivors of sexual violence. The prevalence and impacts of repeat sexual victimisation (or sexual revictimisation) emerged as an issue of critical importance: preventing it could go a long way to addressing the costs of violence against women to individuals and society. On the basis of that evidence, MWA undertook some early discussions with government agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs), about their understandings of and responses to sexual revictimisation. The discussions indicated that understanding varied and that responses tend to focus on mitigating the impacts of sexual violence, rather than preventing it from happening again. Agencies also indicated that they would welcome an accessible summary of the research literature on sexual revictimisation. This report establishes a platform for identifying the policy and practice implications of sexual revictimisation and other forms of gender-based violence. It summarises key themes in the research literature on sexual revictimisation and includes insights and feedback obtained from workshops to discuss the research findings with representatives of key government agencies and NGOs in the sexual and family violence sectors. Overall the report presents a complex picture of sexual violence and revictimisation, as experienced by many women across the life course. It strengthens our understanding of the profound and far-reaching impacts of sexual victimisation in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. While sexual revictimisation of women is the main focus, the evidence highlights the links between sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence, including men’s violence against their female intimate partners (IPV), childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other types of child maltreatment. It underscores the importance of early identification of repeat victim/survivors, the need to break the cycle of repeat victimisation, and to provide consistent and appropriate support for survivors and their families and whānau, at a systemic level. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2012 at: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Shelf Number: 126914 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeRepeat Victimization (New Zealand)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Natale, Katrina Title: “I Could Feel My Soul Flying Away From My Body”: A Study on Gender-Based Violence During Democratic Kampuchea in Battambang and Svay Rieng Provinces Summary: More than thirty years have passed since the fall of the Khmer Rouge state, Democratic Kampchea. In this time, the world has become aware of the many atrocities that the population suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, including forced transfer and evacuation, extrajudicial killing, forced labor, starvation, illness and death. In contrast to the widespread scholarship and public acknowledgment that these issues have received, reports of gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge have benefitted from relatively little study and attention. This small-scale study was undertaken to build on the few other research studies which have been conducted on the topic of GBV in Democratic Kampuchea. The main objective of the study was to shed more light on the nature and characteristics of GBV under the Khmer Rouge by gathering data on: 1) the types of GBV perpetrated during Democratic Kampuchea; 2) the victims and perpetrators of this violence; 3) the location and circumstances under which it occurred; and 4) how this data compares to that collected through previous studies. Interviews for this survey were conducted in September and October 2010 with 104 respondents aged between 42 and 84 years old residing in Battambang and Svay Rieng provinces. Respondents were interviewed confidentially about their knowledge and experiences of GBV while living in Democratic Kampuchea using a semi-structured survey questionnaire which included both open and closed questions. As the second case before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) moves forward and other transitional justice and peace-building initiatives are developed, this report aims to raise awareness of the issue of GBV under the Khmer Rouge, bring acknowledgment to the victims, situate the findings of this study within the context of international law and scholarship on GBV, refocus attention on accountability mechanisms targeting GBV and encourage the integration of this knowledge into all initiatives which address the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cambodian Defenders Project, 2011. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 4, 2012 at: http://www.svri.org/SoulFlying.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.svri.org/SoulFlying.pdf Shelf Number: 127120 Keywords: Forced MarriageGender-Based Violence (Cambodia)RapeSexual MutilationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Minnesota Sex Offender Program Title: Options for Managing the Growth and Cost of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program: Facility Study Summary: Throughout Minnesota, managing sexual offenders and combating sexual violence is a complex issue with a wide scope and multi-agency approach. For years, Minnesota has been a leader on many fronts in this area from specialized caseloads for supervision agents, to the development of one of the first actuarial risk tools in the field (MNSOST-R). The Minnesota Legislature has requested several studies related to sexual violence and sexual offenders in the past 15 years which is indicative of its commitment to continue to evaluate and strengthen current practice and to develop strategies consistent with advancements in the field. Many recommendations from these reports have been implemented and have resulted in an improved system. Minnesota is one of 20 states that enacted civil commitment statutes to indeterminately detain individuals for treatment to address their sexual dangerousness and as part of a broader strategy to manage the risks presented across the continuum of sexual offenders. The civil commitment program is expensive to maintain and the program continues to expand because more sexual offenders are entering than are being released. The cost and growth of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) continues to be an area of concern particularly given the current economic issues facing the state. Public safety cannot be compromised yet the growth of this program creates a strain on the state budget as the per diem for MSOP clients is $328 and projections indicate an expected annual growth of at least 50 additional clients. To address future growth and cost, the 2010 Legislature included a subdivision in the capital investment bonding bill requiring the commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to submit a report to the Legislature by January 15, 2011. The commissioner tasked MSOP with the completion of this study. MSOP then convened four topical teams to provide analysis and recommendations for sex offender treatment, the civil commitment process, sexual abuse perpetration prevention, and bed space options for MSOP clients. These other facets of this issue were incorporated in this study to paint a complete picture of the growth of Minnesota’s civil commitment program for sexual offenders and its subsequent need for expansion. Developing options to manage the growth and decrease the cost of MSOP was the charge for each topical team as they researched and provided analysis of their topic. The treatment topical team found treatment systems in Minnesota have the potential to further reduce the need for civil commitments and to help support the release of some civilly committed individuals if they have made sufficient progress to warrant any court ordered release to society from MSOP. This results in an increased reliance on community-based treatment to manage higher risk sexual offenders. To make this shift responsibly, Minnesota should work to strengthen its community-based treatment options in several ways. These changes will require additional resources but it is likely that these additional costs will be more than offset through reductions in expected future MSOP operating costs and capital costs associated with program expansions. The team that reviewed the current civil commitment process concluded these programs for sexual offenders are an expensive yet necessary tool in an effective, comprehensive statewide management strategy. The challenge for the State of Minnesota is to utilize MSOP efficiently while maintaining public safety in a fiscally responsible manner. Opportunities exist to impact the future cost and growth of MSOP by making modifications and revisions in the current process of civil commitment. Evaluating the application of commitment criteria in the referral process and considering options to indeterminate commitment would impact the number of new clients admitted to MSOP. Enhancing coordinated community-based resources would increase the ability to manage this challenging population at a decreased cost. Once modifications and new policies are in place, an ongoing evaluation of the statewide management system for sex offenders would assist in maintaining efficiency and better ensure public safety. Managing the growth and decreasing the cost of MSOP could be most effectively achieved if sexual abuse was prevented before someone perpetrated sexual harm. Prevention of sexual abuse perpetration was included in this study and report to illuminate the importance of preventing the creation of civilly committed sex offenders as well as preventing recidivism once MSOP clients are reintegrated into the community. By investing in a population-based public health approach to sexual violence prevention, Minnesota will be investing in long-term cost-savings for the state. A complex web of social norms, environmental factors, peer influence and individual decision-making that precedes an act of sexual violence. Ample opportunities for intervention and prevention exist. After reviewing several options for renovation and expansion, the bed space options topical team concluded that both a short-term and a long-term solution are needed to address the projected growth of MSOP. In the short-term, MSOP should work with the Minnesota Security Hospital to move clients out of the Shantz building on the St. Peter campus. This allows MSOP to request asset preservation funds from the Legislature to complete the infrastructure renovations of the Shantz building. This will increase the capacity of MSOP by 55 additional beds, which will accommodate MSOP’s bed space needs for one more year. This timing allows MSOP to review next year’s projections and develop a bonding request for the 2012-2013 legislative sessions. The low operating costs of this recommendation will assist MSOP in lowering the overall per diem. The long-term solution is the lowest on-going operating cost per client in adding a 400 bed living unit within the original design of the MSOP Moose Lake facility. This allows MSOP to take advantage of existing support infrastructure, security perimeter and administrative staff. The MSOP Moose Lake facility expansion also allows for building only 200 or 100 beds. The 200 bed addition would include adding only two of the five housing wings. The 100 bed option only builds one of the wings. These options will still require building the additional support infrastructure, but require less bonding dollars in the near term and still allow for the additional expansion of the other wings. Minnesota would do well to continue to strengthen its multi-faceted, multi-agency approach to the issue of sex offender management and also, in preventing sexual violence. In moving forward, Minnesota should create and fund an on-going entity to coordinate, assess and improve statewide responses to sex offender management as well as to identify new and emerging issues. As this report demonstrates, the issue of sexual violence is exceedingly complex and thus requires an approach equal in its complexity including prevention, intervention and response. It should be noted that the Office of Legislative Auditor (OLA) is in the process of conducting a program evaluation of MSOP. The OLA report to the Legislature will likely address some of these areas in further detail as well as provide suggestions and or recommendations for future direction. Details: St. Paul: Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2012 at: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2011/mandated/110064.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2011/mandated/110064.pdf Shelf Number: 127187 Keywords: Civil Commitment of Sex OffendersCorrectional SupervisionCosts of Criminal JusticePrisonersRisk AssessmentSex Offenders (Minnesota, U.S.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Thompson, Jill Title: Rape Sentencing Study: Statutory Sentencing Provisions for Rape, Defilement, and Sexual Assault in East, Central, and Southern Africa Summary: In the past ten to twelve years, several countries in East, Central and Southern Africa have responded to the problem of violence against women and children by amending outdated criminal laws relating to rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Legislative reforms have ranged from minor changes to existing penal code provisions, to major overhauls of sexual offences law. Changes have included redefining and/or adding new offences; making sexual offences gender neutral; putting in place evidentiary and procedural protections for victims; and increasing penalties for sexual crimes. As part of the reform process, several countries in the region have enacted mandatory minimum sentences for sexual offences such as rape and “defilement.” These have generally emerged in response to public outcry over high rates of sexual violence - particularly against children, and the widespread perception among the public and some lawmakers that perpetrators were not being adequately punished for these crimes. Proponents argued that high mandatory sentences would have a deterrent effect on sexual violence, and that victims would be more likely to report if they believed that perpetrators would be sent to jail. Others argued that statutory minimums would ensure appropriate retribution and lead to greater consistency in sentencing. A further rationale was found in the HIV epidemic - high sentences were viewed by many as necessary to curb the spread of HIV to women and children from sexual assault. Details: Lusaka, Zambia: Population Council, 2012. 40p. Source: Legislative Review: Internet Resource: Accessed December 16, 2012 at http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_RapeSentencingStudy.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_RapeSentencingStudy.pdf Shelf Number: 127214 Keywords: AIDS (Disease)HIV (Viruses)LegislationRape (Africa)SentencingSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales Summary: This report brings together, for the first time, a range of official statistics from across the crime and criminal justice system, providing an overview of sexual offending in England and Wales. Most of the information presented in this report has been previously published in other official statistics bulletins. The report is structured to highlight: the victim experience; the police role in recording and detecting the crimes; how the various criminal justice agencies deal with an offender once identified; and the criminal histories of sex offenders. Providing such an overview presents a number of challenges, not least that the available information comes from different sources that do not necessarily cover the same period, the same people (victims or offenders) or the same offences. For example, the results from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) are based on self completed questions from a representative sample of adults (aged 16 to 59), asking about an individual’s experiences of sexual offences in the last 12 months. The police recorded and court information cover all sexual offences, as legislated for in law, committed against any individual irrespective of age or when the crime took place, but exclude the large volume of crimes not reported to the police.. O ther issues that prevent direct comparisons include: the CSEW focusing on the most recent experience of adults as a victim of sexual offence in the previous 12 months (thus, for example, does not include sexual offences experienced by children or those aged 60 or over); police recorded crime figures being based on offences per victim (i.e. for each victim in a given incident, a crime is recorded) in the year the crime was reported, irrespective of when the offence took place; the criminal justice outcome information (e.g. cautions and convictions) being on an offender basis at the date of the final outcome, again irrespective of when the crime took place. The latter two points mean that figures between the police and court sources will differ, as there will be crimes involving more than one victim or more than one offender, or possibly multiple victims and offenders relating to a single crime. It is not currently feasible to track individual cases from initial recording by the police through the CJS. When interpreting the flows of offences and offenders through the CJS, it is important to note the various stages of attrition and the inherent challenges associated with detection and prosecution of crime, in particular with sexual offences. Second, the issue of ‘downgrading’ of offences (when a decision is made by the Crown Prosecution Service, between the initial hearing at the magistrates’ court and the first hearing at the Crown Court, that the initial charge is incorrect and should be changed to another offence) as they move through the system presents analytical challenges and requires careful consideration when interpreting the statistics. For example, one method of calculating rape conviction rates often used by commentators shows the number of people convicted of rape as a proportion of all rape crimes recorded. Given the different currencies of the two number and the effect of downgrading of offences through the CJS mentioned above, this method is incorrect and misleading in terms of presenting evidence on convictions for rape. For the purposes of this report, the results from the last three years’ CSEW have been combined to provide a large enough sample to enable more reliable findings to be presented. Elsewhere, the report mainly covers the period 2005 to 2011(for police recoded crime 2005/06 to 2011/12), as 2005 was the first full year following the introduction of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Where readily available, longer time series have been provided. Detailed statistical tables are provided in the spreadsheets alongside this bulletin. Tables referenced in the text are included within the bulletin, whereas others referenced are found only within the spreadsheets. I t is acknowledged that any sexual offence will be a traumatic experience for the victim. For ease of reference however, throughout the report, sexual offences have been referred to as falling into two groups: “Most serious sexual offences”, covering all rape, attempted rape and sexual assault offences; and “Other sexual offences”, which includes sexual activity with minors (excluding rape and sexual assaults), exposure, voyeurism etc. A full description of the offence types included, with reference to the relevant legislation, is included in the glossary in the spreadsheet tables accompanying Chapters 3 and 4. A number of summary sexual offences, such as kerb crawling and letting premises for use as a brothel, have been considered outside the scope of the publication. Within each chapter, introductory information is provided (in italics) to give a overview of the chapter content, the basis of the statistics included, and the relevant data sources. Further background information can be found in the ‘Background to the criminal justice system’ and ‘Data sources and quality’ sections of this bulletin. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2013. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Statistics Bulletin: Accessed January 17, 2013 at: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal-justice-stats/sexual-offending/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/statistics/criminal-justice-stats/sexual-offending/sexual-offending-overview-jan-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 127286 Keywords: Crime StatisticsRapeSex OffendersSex Offenses (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Tarczon, Cindy Title: The Nature and Extent of Sexual Assault and Abuse in Australia Summary: This ACSSA Resource Sheet summarises the available statistical information about the nature and extent of sexual assault and abuse in Australia. It draws on Australian data sources, and provides information on the prevalence of sexual violence as well as characteristics of victimisation and perpetration. Because sexual assault and abuse are significantly under-reported in these data sets, this Resource Sheet describes the limitations associated with these collections. It also describes how we can use data that examine sexual victimisation in high-risk populations. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2012. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Resource Sheet: Accessed January 23, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs5/rs5.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/sheets/rs5/rs5.pdf Shelf Number: 127365 Keywords: RapeSex OffensesSexual AbuseSexual Assault (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Danish Refugee Council Title: A Sexual and Gender-based Violence Rapid Assessment: Doro Refugee Camp, Upper Nile State, South Sudan Summary: Since December 2011, approximately 100,000 refugees have fled the State of Blue Nile (BNS) in Sudan and sought shelter in Maban County – Upper Nile State (UNS) – South Sudan as a result of aerial bombardments and armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudanese People Liberation Movement - North (SPLM-N). There are four main locations where the refugees are sheltered in the county: (1) in Doro camp (near the village of Bunj) there are 41,7871 individuals, (2) in Jamam camp (near the village of Jamam) there are 25,176 registered refugees, (3) in Yusuf Batil camp there are 34,112 registered refugees and (4) in the recently opened Gendrassa camp there are 4,484 individuals as of beginning of August 2012. Sudanese refugees started to settle spontaneously in the area later to become Doro refugee camp as early as October 2011. Since then, new influxes of refugees continued to arrive up to May-June 2012 causing the camp to become more and more congested. As a result, some of these communities settled outside the camp boundaries. In May 2012 approximately 3.000 refugees were relocated from Jamam refugee camp to Doro due to increasingly precarious living conditions in Jamam - water provision much below standards, flooding and a hazardous health situation prompted UNHCR and aid agencies to decide for the relocation of part of Jamam camp. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Refugee Council, 2012. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 24, 2013 at: http://www.drc.dk/about-drc/publications/ Year: 2012 Country: Sudan URL: http://www.drc.dk/about-drc/publications/ Shelf Number: 127378 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceHuman RightsRapeRefugeesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Bott, Sarah Title: Violence Against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Comparative Analysis of Population-Based Data from 12 Countries Summary: Violence against women is a human rights violation with important public health ramifications. Evidence from across the globe documents that such violence is widespread and that women and girls bear the overwhelming burden of violence by intimate partners and sexual violence by any perpetrator. The consequences of such violence can be long-lasting and extensive, making violence against women an important cause of morbidity and in some cases death. Studies suggest that violence against women has negative health consequences that include physical injury, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS), maternal mortality, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide, among others. When the cumulative impacts on morbidity and mortality are assessed, the health burden of violence against women is often higher than that of more frequently recognized public health priorities. In Mexico City, for example, rape and intimate partner violence against women was estimated to be the third most important cause of morbidity and mortality for women, accounting for 5.6% of all disability-adjusted life years lost in the years 1994-1995.1 As a result of a growing body of global evidence, the international community has begun to give violence against women a greater priority in the public health agenda and to recognize that efforts to improve women’s health and well-being will be limited unless they take into account the magnitude and consequences of such violence for women’s lives. Violence against women also poses intergenerational consequences: when women experience violence, their children suffer. Growing evidence suggests that when children witness or suffer violence directly, they may be at increased risk of becoming aggressors or victims in adulthood. Furthermore, violence against women and violence against children often co-occur in the same households. Therefore, initiatives to address violence against women must also consider how to prevent and respond to violence against children and vice-versa. In addition to the human costs, research shows that violence against women drains health and justice sector budgets with expenditures for treating survivors and prosecuting perpetrators. Costs also result from productivity losses and absenteeism. Studies from the Inter-American Development Bank estimated that the impact of domestic violence on gross domestic product from women’s lower earnings alone was between 1.6% in Nicaragua and 2.0% in Chile.2 Responding to violence against women requires a multi-sectoral and coordinated effort that spans multiple disciplines, including the health sector, law enforcement, the judiciary, and social protection services, among others. The health sector’s role includes improving primary prevention of violence as well as the ability of health services to identify survivors of abuse early and provide women with compassionate and appropriate care. The health sector must also contribute to improving the evidence base regarding the nature of violence against women, including the magnitude, consequences, and risk and protective factors. Violence Against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean: A comparative analysis of population-based data from 12 countries is the first report to present a comparative analysis of nationally representative data on violence against women from a large number of countries in the Region. It is the sincere hope of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) that this report will contribute to increasing knowledge about violence against women in the Region and, more importantly, that it will motivate policy makers and programmers to grant this issue the political attention that it deserves by designing and implementing evidence-based initiatives and policies that can contribute to eliminating violence against women. Details: Washington, DC: Pan American Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. 186p. Source: Internet Resoruce: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www2.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/violence-against-women-lac.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Central America URL: http://www2.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/violence-against-women-lac.pdf Shelf Number: 127420 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceHuman Rights AbusesIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Latin America, Caribbean) |
Author: Gibbons, Roberta E. Title: The Evaluation of Campus-Based Gender Violence Prevention Programming: What We Know about Program Effectiveness and Implications for Practitioners Summary: Colleges and universities have been a key venue for the development and evaluation of sexual violence prevention programming. However, there are no studies demonstrating a link between campus-based sexual assault prevention programs and a subsequent campus-wide reduction in the incidence of sexual violence (Coker, Cook-Craig, Williams, Fisher, Clear, Garcia, & Hegge, 2011; Teten Tharp, DeGue, Lang, Valle, Massetti, Holt, & Matjasko, 2011). Nevertheless, there remain important reasons to pursue campus-based gender violence prevention programming: •Prevention programming can create a safer climate where victims feel more comfortable reporting, actually raising the number of recorded incidences of assault. •Using a “decrease in the incidence of sexual assault” as the only measure of success for prevention programs ignores many other short- and intermediate-term goals that are conceptually linked to a reduction in sexual assault, such as increasing students’ knowledge about rape and changing attitudes related to rape so that students are less likely to blame victims (Anderson & Whiston, 2005; Lonsway, Banyard, Berkowitz, Gidycz, Katz, Koss, Schewe, & Ullman, 2009). •Research shows that a significant number of woman experience sexual violence while in college (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000; Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987; Krebs, Lindquist, Warner, Fisher, & Martin, 2007; Black et. al., 2011). Details: Harrisburg, PA: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2013. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://snow.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_EvaluationCampusProgramming.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://snow.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_EvaluationCampusProgramming.pdf Shelf Number: 127426 Keywords: Campus CrimeColleges and UniversitiesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Keesbury, Jill, Onyango-Ouma, W. Title: A Review and Evaluation of Multi-Sectoral Response Services (One-Stop Centers) for Gender-Based Violence in Kenya and Zambia Summary: While data are very limited on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Africa, estimates suggest that SGBV is a major health, human rights, and development issue in the region, as it is globally. Approximately half of the women aged 15-49 (48%) in Zambia have experienced physical violence, and one in five women have experienced sexual violence (Zambia DHS, 2007). In Kenya, 39% of women aged 15-49 have ever experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five (21%) reported sexual violence. Given complicated stigma and reporting issues, it is likely that these national Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) underestimate the true prevalence and incidence of violence. Children are not immune to this epidemic. A global school-based survey found that 31% of girls and 30% of boys aged 13-15 in Zambia had been forced to have sex (Brown et al., 2009). Results of the study based on responses from males and females aged 18 to 24 indicate that lifetime exposure to childhood violence is exceedingly and unacceptably high in Kenya. Nearly one in three females and one in five males experience at least one episode of sexual violence before reaching age 18 – an experience that can shape their futures in terms of their attitudes towards violence, their adoption of risky behaviors and their emotional health. The figures for physical violence were even more startling, with two in three females and three in four males suffering at least one episode of physical violence. This was defined as slapping, pushing, punching, kicking, whipping, or being beaten with an object (UNICEF et al., 2012). An increasingly popular strategy for addressing SGBV is through the establishment of 'one-stop centers‘ (OSCs), which provide integrated, multi-disciplinary services in a single physical location. The basic services of the OSC model in low resource settings in East and Southern Africa comprise health care (including psychosocial support), police and justice sector responses, and ongoing social support (Population Council, 2008; Keesbury & Askew, 2010). These are often provided within the context of a health facility due to the highly medicalized nature of the initial response services. Although a number of variations exist, at the core of this approach is a system of integrated medico-legal and counseling services. This system can either be physically co-located or can consist of a referral network that links the sectors. The goals of this assessment were two-fold: First, to assess the effectiveness of different OSC models in terms of health and legal outcomes for survivors, and the cost-effectiveness of these models; and second, to identify lessons learned in OSC implementation with recommendations for both start-up and scale-up. The assessment was conducted in three sites in Zambia and two in Kenya using a comparative case study approach to address the objectives. Three distinct OSC models were examined to determine the core strengths and weaknesses of each. Each OSC was considered as a "case" and multiple data sources were triangulated to assess their individual effectiveness, as well as the comparative effectiveness across sites. Fieldwork took place in Zambia from July-August 2011 and in Kenya from September-December 2011. Data were collected through: facility inventories (including cost data); client record reviews; court transcript reviews; and key informant interviews with survivors and local stakeholders. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: Population Council, 2012. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2013 at: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_SGBV_OSCRevEval.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_SGBV_OSCRevEval.pdf Shelf Number: 127461 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseGender-Based Violence (Kenya and Zambia)Sexual ViolenceVictim ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Darehshori, Sara Title: Capitol Offense: Police Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases in the District of Columbia Summary: Sexual assault is the most underreported serious crime in the United States. Victims fear authorities will not believe them and that reporting will only cause them more pain. This fear may be well-grounded. Police are often skeptical of victims and sometimes respond to reports of assaults in ways that are re-traumatizing. Based on extensive data analysis, documents from four government agencies, and more than 150 interviews, Capitol Offense examines the handling of sexual assault cases by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of the District of Columbia. The report provides strong evidence that between 2008 and September 2011 the MPD mishandled many complaints of sexual assault in D.C. In several cases, victims who reported sexual assaults to the police never had their case documented, or saw it languish when officers apparently determined without effective investigation that their claims were not credible. Human Rights Watch also documented inappropriate and harmful treatment of victims by MPD, such as questioning victims’ credibility; actively discouraging victims from reporting or providing forensic evidence; or asking victim-blaming questions. Not documenting or investigating reports of sexual assault denies justice to the victims, is a public safety issue, and misrepresents to the public the incidence of sexual assault in D.C. Victims who are not treated appropriately are less likely to cooperate with investigations, further reducing chances that perpetrators will be brought to justice. These problems do not appear to stem from official MPD policy, but rather from practices followed within the MPD that, during the period examined, were inconsistent with departmental policy and post-2008 reforms. Since learning of this report’s findings in May 2012, the MPD has adopted a number of our recommendations and made some policy changes. However, ensuring meaningful and sustained change requires more: it needs a commitment by leadership to change departmental practices, increase accountability and responsiveness, and extend external oversight of reforms to ensure transparency. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2013. 210p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2013 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Shelf Number: 127464 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice InvestigationsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assaults (Washington, DC)Sexual Violence |
Author: Mc Evoy, Claire Title: Battering, Rape, and Lethal Violence A Baseline of Information on Physical Threats against Women in Nairobi Summary: The starting point for this research is the knowledge that gender-based physical and sexual violence targeting women is commonplace in Kenya—and that few cases are reported to the police. Almost half (45 per cent) of Kenyan women aged 15–49 have experienced physical or sexual violence, including ‘forced sexual initiation’, according to the 2008–09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), which surveyed 6,318 female respondents (KNBS and ICF Macro, 2010, p. 251). Reports of gender-based physical violence targeting women and girls ‘abound’ in the major national daily newspapers, on television, and on the radio (NCGD, 2010b, p. 2). A number of factors contribute to the widely tolerated levels of violence. These include the low status of women in society, patriarchal values and power structures focused on male dominance, discriminatory institutions and implementation of laws, the absence of a legal framework on intimate partner violence (IPV), and a criminal justice system that is largely inaccessible. Crucially, the low socio-economic status of most women—and the low status of poor people in general—perpetuates the status quo. Exacerbating matters, the violence meted out to women is rarely recognized; in a recent poll, for example, 72 per cent of respondents (240 in total, both male and female) from four districts in Kenya said that acts of gender-based physical violence—including rape, defilement, and battering—were not serious crimes (NCGD, 2010b, p. 30). A recent government report notes: ‘This finding on perception is significant in the sense that it brings out the fact that Kenya as a country tolerates a culture of violence against women, and that the country values and positions women much lower than men’. Most of the violence occurs within the domestic sphere, perpetrated by spouses or intimate partners as the women go about their daily routines (AI, 2009). It takes place as part of ‘normal’ life, as opposed to during conflict—although it peaks during times of political strife or tensions. During post-election violence in 2007–08 there was a spike of rapes targeting mostly poor women in their homes; the perpetrators were state security agents— from the Administration Police, Kenya Police, and General Service Unit — organized gangs, neighbours, relatives, and ‘friends’ (CIPEV, 2008, pp. 251–52). Police officers reportedly committed more than one-quarter (26 per cent) of the recorded rapes (HRW, 2011, p. 22). During this period, the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) at Nairobi Women’s Hospital saw 524 cases of rape and defilement, of which almost 60 per cent occurred in Nairobi6 and 89 per cent targeted women and girls (GVRC, 2008b, pp. 7–9, 15). Perpetrators— who attacked in gangs of up to 11—reportedly chanted support for political parties (p. 14). It is unclear whether they were ordered to do so in support of those parties. As of August 2012, no post-election sexual violence cases had been prosecuted in Nairobi. It is important to understand this violence against a backdrop of consistently high levels of violence targeting both men and women—a recognized risk factor for violence against women anywhere in the world. A study in The Lancet, for example, notes that the risk of IPV ‘is greatest in societies where the use of violence in many situations is a socially accepted norm’ (Jewkes, 2002, p. 1423). Cross-cultural studies suggest that IPV is much more frequent in societies where violence is ‘usual in conflict situations and political struggles’ (p. 1428). Kenya’s history is littered with the use of state-sanctioned violence, including widespread, systematic, and grave human rights abuses committed during colonial times and by Kenyan administrations since (Elkins, 2005; KHRC, 2011a, p. 8).10 Ordinary citizens also frequently resort to violence as a dispute resolution mechanism; inter-communal clashes and killings, forced evictions and displacements, mob lynchings, school arson by students, and inter-familial revenge killings and suicides are all regularly reported by the media. Electionrelated violence often occurs in the run-up to, during, and after voting. Physical abuse of children,12 under the guise of ‘disciplinary’ measures, is also commonly reported. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Small Arms Survey, 2013. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper 13: Accessed February 4, 2013 at: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-WP13-VAW-Nairobi.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-WP13-VAW-Nairobi.pdf Shelf Number: 127468 Keywords: Battered Women (Kenya)Intimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Bjorndahl, Ulla Title: Dangerous Liaisons: A report on the violence women in prostitution in Oslo are exposed to. Summary: The report looks at the “Nordic/Swedish Model” in relation to the sex industry. This model originated in Sweden which among other things made it illegal to buy sexual services, pimping, procuring, living off the earnings of a sex worker – operating a brothel is also illegal. Essentially the Swedish Model was first enacted in 1999 in Sweden and criminalises the purchase of sex but not the selling of sex. Since 1999 however, Norway and Iceland have introduced similar legislation and many other countries around the world are looking to move to the same model. This report looks at the consequences of the “Nordic/Swedish model” and is a great piece of research to refute benefits of criminalising clients, brothels etc. 1.4 The main findings of the report: • 59% of the participants in the investigation from 2012 said they had been the exposed to violence in prostitution after the sex purchase law was introduced. • The violent offender in most cases is an unfamiliar, male client. • Many of the women reported that they have been the victims of extreme violence in the last 3 years. Among the 123 participants in the investigation 25 say that they have been raped / threatened into having sex, 24 had been threatened with weapons, 17 said they had been robbed/attempted robbed and 11 had been the targets of attempted murder. • The numbers can only be interpreted one way: women who sell sex in Oslo is a group where many have been exposed to extreme violence in the last 3 years. A frequency of extreme violence this high is seldom seen among such a small group in Oslo. • The terms under which sex work is conducted has changed for a large share of the women who provide sexual services. The market is characterized by increased judicialization which means that sex workers are more controlled by the government and therefore perceive themselves to have been increasingly criminalized. • The women rarely talk about their experiences with violence and few seek help from support services after they are exposed to violence. • Harassment and discrimination of women in prostitution from society at large has increased. • Some of the survival strategies sex workers mentioned in 2007/08 have been difficult to maintain subsequent to the passing of the sex purchase ban due to large changes in the prostitution market. The difficulties in employing these strategies are tied to an increased judicialization, a reduction in available customers and changes to the terms under which the women sell sex. Details: Oslo: Municipality of Oslo and Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, 2012. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2013 at: http://nothing-about-us-without-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Dangerous-Liaisons_A-report-on-the-violence-women-in-prostitution-in-Oslo-are-exposed-to_Ulla-Bjorndahl-Oslo-2012_English-Translation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Norway URL: http://nothing-about-us-without-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Dangerous-Liaisons_A-report-on-the-violence-women-in-prostitution-in-Oslo-are-exposed-to_Ulla-Bjorndahl-Oslo-2012_English-Translation.pdf Shelf Number: 127558 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitution (Norway)Sex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Cohen, Dara Kay Title: Wartime Sexual Violence: Misconceptions, Implications, and Ways Forward Summary: Wartime rape is neither ubiquitous nor inevitable. The level of sexual violence differs significantly across countries, conflicts, and particularly armed groups. Some armed groups can and do prohibit sexual violence. Such variation suggests that policy interventions should also be focused on armed groups, and that commanders in effective control of their troops are legally liable for patterns of sexual violence they fail or refuse to prevent. Wartime rape is also not specific to certain types of conflicts or to geographic regions. It occurs in ethnic and non-ethnic wars, in Africa and elsewhere. State forces are more likely to be reported as perpetrators of sexual violence than rebels. States may also be more susceptible than rebels to naming and shaming campaigns around sexual violence. Perpetrators and victims may not be who we expect them to be. During many conflicts, those who perpetrate sexual violence are often not armed actors but civilians. Perpetrators also are not exclusively male, nor are victims exclusively female. Policymakers should not neglect nonstereotypical perpetrators and victims. Wartime rape need not be ordered to occur on a massive scale. Wartime rape is often not an intentional strategy of war: it is more frequently tolerated than ordered. Nonetheless, as noted, commanders in effective control of their troops are legally liable for sexual violence perpetrated by those troops. Much remains unknown about the patterns and causes of wartime sexual violence. In particular, existing data cannot determine conclusively whether wartime sexual violence on a global level is increasing, decreasing, or holding steady. Policymakers should instead focus on variation at lower levels of aggregation, and especially across armed groups. Details: Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2013 at: http://www.usip.org/files/resources/SR323.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.usip.org/files/resources/SR323.pdf Shelf Number: 127641 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenWartime Sexual Violence |
Author: Perera, Jennifer: Gunawardane, Nalika Title: Review of Research Evidence on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Sri Lanka. Second Edition Summary: This document summarises the literature published between 1982 and 2011 on violence (GBV) in Sri Lanka. In our attempt to collate the scientific information on GBV in Sri Lanka, the selection of research was based on pre-determined criteria, viz. to include research and exclude case studies that describe individual experiences. A great majority of the research was on GBV on women. The evidence were classified based on its focus and was included under different themes i.e., Research on GBV at different stages of life of a woman, GBV in different environment settings, clinical manifestation of affected groups and response of organizations towards GBV. The literature review showed that there was a paucity of research evidence on locally relevant interventions to minimize GBV. The impact of domestic violence on members of the household, morbidity and mortality patterns of affected families, long term psychological and physical development of affected children and the long term effects on the victims were other notable areas where no evidence was found. Despite certain limitations the committee was able to collate a considerable amount of data that will convince any reader that GBV is indeed a significant social and public health problem of considerable magnitude in Sri Lanka. While GBV includes violence against men and women, in the majority of cases the victims are women. The pattern of GBV in Sri Lanka encompasses physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence and parallels current worldwide trends. The cumulative impact of violence experienced by girls and women is immense, especially in terms of its impact on their physical and mental health and its consequences, both immediate and long term. It is evident that GBV is currently not addressed adequately by the health care and other relevant sectors in Sri Lanka. Details: Colombo: Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2011. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2013 at: http://whosrilanka.healthrepository.org/bitstream/123456789/434/1/GBV.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Sri Lanka URL: http://whosrilanka.healthrepository.org/bitstream/123456789/434/1/GBV.pdf Shelf Number: 127643 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Sri Lanka)Family ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: McCleary-Sills, Jennifer Title: Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of Gender-based Violence in Tanzania - Results from a Study in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Iringa Regions Summary: Over the last few decades, gender-based violence has gained international recognition as a grave social and human rights concern. In Tanzania, gender-based violence is widespread; the most recent Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey found that 44% of ever-married women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. ICRW and the University of Dar es Salaam's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, in partnership with EngenderHealth, conducted a qualitative study in three target regions of the country: Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Mbeya. This report documents community perceptions and attitudes about gender-based violence, identifies the range of informal and formal services currently available to survivors, highlights gaps in service provision, and provides recommendations for improving existing services. The findings are based on 104 key informant interviews conducted with a wide array of stakeholders, service providers, and duty bearers at the national, district, and ward levels, as well as participatory focus group discussions with 96 male and female community members. The research and recommendations currently are informing the overall design of a multi-sectoral intervention to scale up the response to gender-based violence in Tanzania under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR). Details: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: EngenderHealth/CHAMPION, 2013. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2013 at: http://reliefweb.int/report/united-republic-tanzania/help-seeking-pathways-and-barriers-survivors-gender-based-violence Year: 2013 Country: Tanzania URL: http://reliefweb.int/report/united-republic-tanzania/help-seeking-pathways-and-barriers-survivors-gender-based-violence Shelf Number: 128128 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceGender-Based Violence (Tanzania)RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Pana, Artemis Title: Youth4Youth: A Manual for Empowering Young People in Preventing Gender-Based Violence through Peer Education Summary: The Youth4Youth training manual is the culmination of a series of initiatives undertaken in several European countries that aimed at shedding more light on the issue of gender-based violence among adolescents. A number of projects funded by the European Commission’s Daphne Programme have created a wealth of information on how young people think and act in relation to their gender identity and within romantic relationships, forming the basis for the work undertaken in the Youth4Youth project, a deliverable of which is this manual. Most importantly, they have provided the foundation upon which interventions such as this manual can be developed and implemented in schools and in youth centres to prevent gender-based violence, and violence against women in particular, by addressing its root causes as early as possible. Emerging evidence suggests that patterns of violence and victimization may develop in early adolescence, and soon become difficult to reverse. Hence, primary prevention measures have an essential role in combating gender based violence since schools and other education centres are a critical component of adolescents’ lives and one of the main contexts where gender socialization takes place, as well as where attitudes toward oneself and others are formed and reinforced. This type of work goes on to stress the importance of funding programmes within the EU that prioritize gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence, including primary prevention programmes that aim to provide young people across Europe with the knowledge and skills to live healthier, more empowered lives. Details: Nicosia, Cyprus: Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS), 2012. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://www.medinstgenderstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/Y4Y-Manual_digital_v12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://www.medinstgenderstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/Y4Y-Manual_digital_v12.pdf Shelf Number: 128299 Keywords: BullyingDelinquency PreventionEducationGender-Based ViolencePeer GroupsSchool ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence PreventionYouth Violence |
Author: Rwanda Women’s Network Title: Exploring Community Perceptions and Women’s Experiences of Violence against Women and Use of Services in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Rwanda Summary: Most studies on gender based violence (GBV) in Rwanda have focused on the sexual violence that happened during the genocide. Research that does exist on violence in intimate relationships after the genocide has shown that the levels are high but good data on how women are assisted and supported is absent. This report presents findings from a study done as part of the Strengthening GBV Research Capacity in Africa project. The main objective of the study was to assist the Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN) and other service providers in developing effective services for abused women. The study was done in the District of Bugesera, an area most affected by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Qualitative methods consisting of semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used. Participants included women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), community members, service providers (police, health, community leaders, local authorities, GVB committees, NGOs, and mediators (abunzi)). The data was analyzed using content analysis. Women experienced the full spectrum of IPV, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence. Being abandoned by a partner and struggling to survive was a common theme. Seeking help was not always an option although many women’s first call of help was to local leaders. The study revealed that many women were not able to get the assistance they needed and both the financial dependence on husbands and the Rwandan culture of keeping family affairs private were key barriers in seeking assistance. Barriers to providing assistance as described by service providers include: lack of resources such as transport to take victims to the hospital; wide distances between villages and lack of health personnel to attend to survivors. Family support was also limited because of the effect of the genocide. However encouraging was the assistance provided by other community women as well as NGOs and this was of value in providing emotional and financial assistance to women and their children. The study not only generated more in-depth information about knowledge, attitudes and perceptions on VAW, but it also built RWN research capacity and provided data for use in programmatic and advocacy work among women in Rwanda. Details: Kigali, Rwanda: Rwanda Women's Network, 2011. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2013 at: http://www.mrc.ac.za/gender/ExploringCommunityPerceptions.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Rwanda URL: http://www.mrc.ac.za/gender/ExploringCommunityPerceptions.pdf Shelf Number: 128310 Keywords: Family ViolenceGender-Based Violence (Rwanda)Intimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Title: Violence against Women in Syria: Breaking the Silence. Based on an FIDH assessment mission in Jordan in December 2012 Summary: In December 2012, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in collaboration with the Arab Women Organisation (AWO), sent an international fact-finding mission to meet with Syrian women who had fled the crisis to seek refuge in Jordan. The mission focussed on the impact of the ongoing conflict on women and sought to document specific forms of violence targeting women. The FIDH delegation visited three refugee camps, Al Zaatari, King Abdullah Park and Cyber City and held meetings with 80 refugees living outside “official” camps in Amman, Rusaifa, Dhleil and Sama Sarhan (Zarqa Governorate). It remains extremely difficult to measure the extent of crimes of sexual violence or to draw conclusions on patterns, in particular due to the stigma surrounding such crimes. However, all those interviewed reported having witnessed or heard about cases of sexual violence and said that the fear of being raped had motivated their decision to flee the country. Several of the women interviewed gave indirect accounts of rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by pro-government forces during house searches, following arrest at checkpoints and in detention. There were also accounts of such crimes having been committed by antigovernment armed groups. Many of those interviewed also spoke of the risk of women being abducted, by all parties to the conflict, in order to obtain information or as bargaining tools for the release of prisoners. According to several women and organisations providing support services, survivors of rape are sometimes forced into marriage, in order to “save family honour”. Risks of stigmatisation and rejection of survivors impose a culture of silence, preventing women reporting crimes of sexual violence. As a result, the vast majority of those in need of medical and psycho-social support do not have access to such services. FIDH presents at the end of this briefing paper a set of recommendations towards different stakeholders. Details: Paris: FIDH, 2012. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/syria_sexual_violence-web.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Syria URL: http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/syria_sexual_violence-web.pdf Shelf Number: 128613 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence against Women (Syria) |
Author: War Child Title: An Unwanted Truth? FOCUSING THE G8: Shining a Spotlight on Sexual Violence against Children in Conflict Summary: This report warns that international governments are failing to take seriously the scale of sexual abuse against children in conflict. According to War Child, G8 countries, whose foreign ministers are meeting today in London, have a “once in a lifetime chance” to stop sexual violence against children. According to An Unwanted Truth? millions of children around the world are regularly subjected to sexual abuse: Every day, over 600,000 children around the world are estimated to be raped or suffer sexual violence: more children than live in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield combined. In some war-torn countries, including the Central African Republic, over 50% of children surveyed reported having been victims of sexual abuse or exploitation. Over 51% of cases of sexual violence in the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire were children. Despite this, the report says that international governments, including the G8 of leading nations, have overlooked child victims of abuse and instead focused on sexual violence as a women’s issue and on more visible aspects of humanitarian disasters. The report says it is crucial that G8 foreign ministers meeting in London this week commit to using their international influence and finance to stop this child abuse. Download the report below. Details: London: War Child, 2013. 25p. Source: Internet Resosurce: Accessed May 9, 2013 at: http://cdn.warchild.org.uk/sites/default/files/An-Unwanted-Truth-April-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://cdn.warchild.org.uk/sites/default/files/An-Unwanted-Truth-April-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 128693 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseSexual Violence |
Author: Schäfer, Rita Title: Men as Perpetrators and Victims of Armed Conflicts: Innovative Projects Aimed at Overcoming Male Violence Summary: A more detailed analysis of various diverging war experiences of boys, male adolescents and men is essential for development cooperation in post-war societies and must be taken into consideration for project planning and implementation. Differentiated gender perspectives are required in order to put an end to tolerated, widespread gender-specific and sexualized violence. In addition, violence among male youth and men is a threat to often very fragile peacebuilding processes. Many of them were ex-combatants or soldiers and most of them face an uncertain future and unemployment after their release. This study outlines the formation of the male identity before and after wars, thereby also touching on the problem of child soldiers. On the basis of country studies, projects and programs will be presented that have contributed to changes in behavior and attitudes among boys, adolescents and men after wars or armed conflicts. The research focuses on innovative approaches from African countries. Additionally, examples from other continents will be presented. The selection of projects and programs represents the priority and cooperation countries of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). Guidelines from the ADC and international treaties are referenced in detail. The many concrete examples draw on experiences at local, national and international level, as well as on theme-related studies from various organizations of the United Nations and numerous non-governmental organizations. Moreover, the study examines projects for education and awareness raising on masculine gender identity, sexuality, fatherhood and health. Noteworthy are also the cultural, media and sports programs for community building among youth. The powers of traditional, religious and local authorities are expounded through examples, as they can promote or interfere with change processes. Lastly, the study provides recommendations for the ADC. This study builds on previous work from the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) on gender and children in armed conflicts. Details: Vienna: VIDC – Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation, 2013. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://www.vidc.org/fileadmin/Bibliothek/DP/Nadja/VIDC_Schaefer_E_Druckversion.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.vidc.org/fileadmin/Bibliothek/DP/Nadja/VIDC_Schaefer_E_Druckversion.pdf Shelf Number: 128794 Keywords: Armed ConflictsChild SoldiersGender-Based ViolenceMalesMasculinitySexual ViolenceViolence Prevention |
Author: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Title: Breaking the Silence on Violence against Indigenous Girls, Adolescents and Young Women. A call to action based on an overview of existing evidence from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America Summary: Even before the adoption of the declaration in 2007, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) had at its Fifth Session in 2006 recommended to United Nations organizations and States to provide comprehensive reports on violence against indigenous women and girls, particularly sexual violence and violence in settings of armed conflict. This study responds to that call. It finds that violence against these groups must be understood within the broader contexts of indigenous peoples’ historic and continuing marginalization and discrimination, violations of their collective and individual rights, displacement, extreme poverty and often-limited access to culturally appropriate basic services and justice – a finding that is consistent with the views of the UNPFII and the International Indigenous Women’s Forum. However, in all societies there are practices to keep, practices to change and practices to reconsider. While indigenous peoples continue to value and perpetuate their culture and way of life, we should not be exempt from this type of reflection. We hope this report will trigger change so that indigenous communities – women, men, girls and boys – can play their role in guaranteeing a life free from violence and discrimination for indigenous girls, adolescents and young women. As the study exposes gaps in research and data collection in regard to violence against these groups, it is the collective responsibility of States, indigenous The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples includes Article 22, which ensures that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination. At the time of negotiating this provision, the drafters knew that the contexts in which many indigenous women and girls live place them at risk of violence. Foreword Grand Chief Edward John, Chairperson United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Otilia Lux de Coti Executive Director, International Indigenous Women’s Forum peoples, civil society organizations and United Nations agencies, funds, programmes and special mandate holders to further examine and assess their real experiences in order to effectively focus interventions and strengthen protective factors that work to prevent and reduce the likelihood of violence. To truly realize the rights of indigenous girls, adolescents and young women, there must be a positive and cooperative environment for their promotion and protection. It is our hope that this study will catalyse action so that together we will not only declare that violence is unacceptable but also make its prevention and elimination a living reality. Details: New York: UNICEF, 2013. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2013 at: http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/Breaking_the_Silence_on_Violence_against_Indigenous_Girls_Adolescents_and_Young_Women_Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/Breaking_the_Silence_on_Violence_against_Indigenous_Girls_Adolescents_and_Young_Women_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 128883 Keywords: Indigenous PeoplesRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Africa, Asia, Latin Americ |
Author: Clark, Richard L. Title: Male Attitudes Regarding Domestic and Sexual Violence: Survey Data Report Summary: Domestic and sexual violence is a prevalent and pernicious reality in our society. Occurrences of domestic and sexual violence can be found in all demographics and regions throughout America, and Vermont is by no means less susceptible to this social ill. While perpetrators and victims of domestic and sexual violence can be either gender, the majority of cases have a male perpetrator and a female victim. With that in mind, the Male Attitudes Survey was proposed to address the attitudes of men about domestic and sexual violence, mostly as it victimizes women. This survey and report was initiated by the Vermont Governor’s Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force (GPDSVTF) and supported by the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Vermont Department of Health with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rape Prevention and Education cooperative agreement. The goals of this project (as stated in the Request for Proposals) are as follows: 1. “To provide guidance for service providers to develop future training and education programs; 2. To provide a benchmark to measure improvements/declines over time in male attitudes in Vermont towards the prevention of domestic and sexual violence against women; 3. To provide a tool for local and state-wide non-profits for fundraising, grant-writing and other purposes.” (GPDSVTF RFP, May23, 2012). To this end, the Castleton Polling Institute surveyed 341 adult males in Vermont by telephone. The households were selected through random digit dialing, using a sample frame that only included landlines. Once a sampled household was reached, the respondents were selected by asking for the youngest adult (over 17 years of age) male in the household. The average length of the survey was about 19 minutes. The results of this study create a better understanding of the independent variables associated with various attitudes. Details: Castleton, VT: Castleton Polling Institute, 2012. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 1, 2013 at: http://www.vtnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Male-Attitudes-Survey-FINAL-REPORT-Color2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.vtnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Male-Attitudes-Survey-FINAL-REPORT-Color2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128898 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Vermont, U.S.)Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: World Health Organization Title: Global and Regional Estimates of Violence Against Women: Prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence Summary: This report, developed by the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the South African Medical Research Council presents the first global systematic review and synthesis of the body of scientific data on the prevalence of two forms of violence against women — violence by an intimate partner (intimate partner violence) and sexual violence by someone other than a partner (nonpartner sexual violence). It shows, for the first time, aggregated global and regional prevalence estimates of these two forms of violence, generated using population data from all over the world that have been compiled in a systematic way. The report also details the effects of violence on women’s physical, sexual and reproductive, and mental health. The findings are striking: • overall, 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. While there are many other forms of violence that women may be exposed to, this already represents a large proportion of the world’s women; 1. Secretary-General says violence against women never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable, as he launches global campaign on issue. New York, United Nations Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, 2008 (SG/ SM/11437 WOM/1665). • most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (30%) of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. In some regions, 38% of women have experienced intimate partner violence; • globally, as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners; • women who have been physically or sexually abused by their partners report higher rates of a number of important health problems. For example, they are 16% more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby. They are more than twice as likely to have an abortion, almost twice as likely to experience depression, and, in some regions, are 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV, as compared to women who have not experienced partner violence; • globally, 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner. There are fewer data available on the health effects of non-partner sexual violence. However, the evidence that does exist reveals that women who have experienced this form of violence are 2.3 times more likely to have alcohol use disorders and 2.6 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety. There is a clear need to scale up efforts across a range of sectors, both to prevent violence from happening in the first place and to provide necessary services for women experiencing violence. The variation in the prevalence of violence seen within and between communities, countries and regions, highlights that violence is not inevitable, and that it can be prevented. Promising prevention programmes exist, and need to be tested and scaled up.2 There is growing evidence about what factors explain the global variation documented. This evidence highlights the need to address the economic and sociocultural factors that foster a culture of violence against women. This also includes the importance of challenging social norms that support male authority and control over women and sanction or condone violence against women; reducing levels of childhood exposures to violence; reforming discriminatory family law; strengthening women’s economic and legal rights; and eliminating gender inequalities in access to formal wage employment and secondary education. Services also need to be provided for those who have experienced violence. The health sector must play a greater role in responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women. WHO’s new clinical and policy guidelines on the health-sector response to violence against women emphasize the urgent need to integrate issues related to violence into clinical training. It is important that all health-care providers understand the relationship between exposure to violence and women’s ill health, and are able to respond appropriately. One key aspect is to identify opportunities to provide support and link women with other services they need – for example, when women seek sexual and reproductive health services (e.g. antenatal care, family planning, post-abortion care) or HIV testing, mental health 2. Preventing intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women. Taking action and generating evidence. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2010. and emergency services. Comprehensive postrape care services need to be made available and accessible at a much larger scale than is currently provided. The report shows that violence against women is pervasive globally. The findings send a powerful message that violence against women is not a small problem that only occurs in some pockets of society, but rather is a global public health problem of epidemic proportions, requiring urgent action. It is time for the world to take action: a life free of violence is a basic human right, one that every woman, man and child deserves. Details: Geneva, SWIT: World Health Organization, 2013. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 27, 2013 at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/85239/1/9789241564625_eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/85239/1/9789241564625_eng.pdf Shelf Number: 129189 Keywords: Battered WomenIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceSpouse AbuseViolence Against Women |
Author: Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research Title: Preventing Sexual Violence in Latin@ Communities: A national needs assessment Summary: Every organization working to prevent sexual violence in the U.S. is unique. However, at least one tie binds the movement together: the drive to eliminate sexual violence and support survivors. However, to end sexual violence, the movement and all of the organizations in it must reach every part of the population. A significant proportion of people living in the United States are of Latin@ origin – about 16%, or 50.5 million, as of 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). According to Census data, the Latin@ population grew in every region of the United States between 2000 and 2010. But the few existing studies on sexual violence against Latin@s have shown a lack of culturally relevant services for Latin@ survivors to be a substantial need. One in six Latina women report sexual victimization in their lifetime (Cuevas & Sabina, 2010). Latin@s encounter more barriers to seeking services than non-Latin@s, especially if they are immigrants (Ingram, 2007). Latin@s are also less likely to report rape victimization (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research (CIES), conducted this needs assessment to add to the limited body of research on sexual violence in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities. More specifically, the NSVRC sought to identify existing strengths and needs surrounding the prevention of sexual violence with Latin@ communities and to better understand how the NSVRC, together with partners, could respond to those needs. To these ends, four fundamental questions were examined in this assessment: 1. Who are the key groups/organizations engaging in and/or supporting sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 2. What are the resource needs of advocates, counselors, and other professionals in the field engaging in sexual violence prevention and intervention in Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 3. What is the cultural competency and Spanish-language capacity of programs and organizations to serve Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? 4. What is the most effective role of the NSVRC in supporting advocates working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities? Researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative methods such as a Web-based national survey, phone interviews, and focus groups. They received feedback from approximately 250 participants from all 50 states and three U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa). Participants were from sexual assault coalitions, community-based sexual violence programs, and health departments (sometimes referred to as “mainstream” in this report to differentiate them from culturally specific organizations), and culturally specific organizations working with Latin@ and/or Spanish-speaking communities. Details: Enola, PA: National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, 2013. 147p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2013 at: http://nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_assessments_latina-needs-assessment_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_assessments_latina-needs-assessment_0.pdf Shelf Number: 129401 Keywords: LatinosMinoritiesSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Sexual Violence |
Author: McInturff, Kate Title: The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada Summary: This study finds that progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence. The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence in Canada, and also makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation. Details: Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2013. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 19, 2013 at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/gap-gender-gap Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/gap-gender-gap Shelf Number: 129459 Keywords: Costs of CrimeIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Canada) |
Author: Parents Television Council Title: TV's Newest Target: Teen Sexual Exploitation: The Prevalence and Trivialization of Teen Sexual Exploitation on Primetime TV Summary: The study, “TV’s Newest Target: Teen Sexual Exploitation,” includes programming that aired during the first two weeks of the November 2011 sweeps period [October 27 – November 9, 2011], as well as during the first two weeks of the May 2012 sweeps period [April 26 – May 9, 2012]. Only scripted original programs that aired during primetime on broadcast television were examined. Collectively, PTC analysts viewed a total of 238 episodes for a total of 194.5 hours of programming. The following types of sexually exploitative content served as the primary focus of the study: sexual violence, sexual harassment, prostitution, sex trafficking, stripping, and pornography. · Although adult female character were more likely to have sexualizing dialogue or depictions in their scenes, the likelihood that a scene would include sexual exploitation was higher if the female characters were young adults or younger. · The likelihood that a scene would include sexual exploitation was highest when the female characters were underage (23.33%). · Sexually exploitative topics targeting underage girls were more likely to be humorous (42.85%) compared to adult women (33.02%). · Topics that targeted underage girls and were presented as jokes included: Sexual violence (child molestation), sex trafficking, sexual harassment, pornography, and stripping. · Thirty seven percent of all sexual exploitation observed during the study period was intended to be humorous. · The content rose to the level of sexual exploitation in one-third of the shows where females were associated with sexual dialogue and/or depictions. · Pornography (66%) and stripping (65%) were the two forms of exploitation most likely to be written into the scripts as punch lines. · Sexually exploitative content was typically presented in the form of dialogue rather than depictions. However, the dialogue was significantly more crude and explicit than the depictions. Details: Los Angeles: Parents Television Council, 2013. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 19, 2013 at: http://w2.parentstv.org/MediaFiles/PDF/General/sexploitation_report_20130709.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://w2.parentstv.org/MediaFiles/PDF/General/sexploitation_report_20130709.pdf Shelf Number: 129461 Keywords: Child Sexual ExploitationMass MediaProstitutionSexual ViolenceTeenagersViolence and Television |
Author: Farris, Coreen Title: Physical and Psychological Health Following Military Sexual Assault: Recommendations for Care, Research, and Policy Summary: Awareness of military sexual assault — sexual assault of a servicemember — has been increasing within the Department of Defense (DoD). The DoD is striving to improve this situation, but unique conditions of life in the military may make response to these events more difficult than within the civilian sector. This paper reviews the prevalence of sexual assault among servicemembers, victim responses in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, barriers to disclosure, victim needs, and DoD efforts to provide necessary resources to victims. The authors review civilian guidelines for the care of physical injuries, response to STI/HIV and pregnancy risk, forensic services, advocacy and support services, and formal mental health care. They then review DoD directives, forms, and guidelines for sexual assault victim care, revealing that these generally are consistent with civilian guidelines. However, little is known about the fidelity with which these DoD recommendations are implemented. The authors close with recommendations for future research to support the DoD's commitment to a culture free of sexual assault, including a comprehensive, longitudinal epidemiological study of military sexual assault, a needs assessment of disclosed and undisclosed military victims, an evaluation of the training enterprise, and an evaluation to document the extent to which DoD directives requiring immediate, evidence-based care for military victims are being implemented with fidelity. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2013. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Occasional Paper: Accessed July 19, 2013 at: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/occasional_papers/OP300/OP382/RAND_OP382.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/occasional_papers/OP300/OP382/RAND_OP382.pdf Shelf Number: 129462 Keywords: MilitaryPsychological TraumaRapeSexual Assault (U.S.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Hunt, Sarah Title: Violence in the Lives of Sexually Exploited Youth and Adult Sex Workers in BC Summary: Violence in the Lives of Sexually Exploited Youth and Adult Sex Workers in BC was a research project conducted by community-based researchers at the Justice Institute of BC. Sarah Hunt, Natalie Clark and Melanie Mark visited 5 areas of BC during 2005, talking to people about violence in their communities. The communities they visited included Victoria, Campbell River, Kamloops, Terrace, and Prince George, as well as the smaller communities surrounding these 5 locations. These communities were chosen for the project based on an expressed need to focus on rural realities rather than larger cities such as Vancouver that have well-established resources for addressing sexual exploitation and sex work. The researchers interviewed youth and adults about their experiences as victims or witnesses of violence and talked to front-line workers, police and others about the role that the justice system plays in the lives of victims who have been sexually exploited or who work in the sex trade. This report is intended to provide a provincial overview of violence in the lives of sexually exploited youth and adult sex workers in BC, to review the informal and formal supports that are available, and to identify what communities can do to better respond to this violence. This final report has been divided in to the following sections: Project Overview and Background outlines the goals and purpose of the research, the methodology developed for the project, the role of community advisories and the involvement of experiential youth and adults. Provincial Overview includes three sections: Focus on Violence, Focus on Formal and Informal Community Supports, and Focus on the Justice System. These sections are intended to identify provincial themes, connections between communities, key barriers to reporting violence, and common experiences of those involved in the sex trade or sexual exploitation. Community Summaries includes individual summaries of the research findings in each community. The individual community sections outline local issues, recent trends, local resources, and community-based strategies. Provincial Recommendations and Next Steps provide suggested points of action for communities across BC, drawing upon the “best practices” identified in the Prince George court cases and other strategies that can be applied to any community in BC. In the Appendices we have provided further documents from the research, including the question guides and other useful tools. Details: Vancouver, BC: Justice Institute of British Columbia, Centre for Leadership and Community Learning, 2006. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.peers.bc.ca/images/violence_report1106.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Canada URL: http://www.peers.bc.ca/images/violence_report1106.pdf Shelf Number: 107074 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionSex Workers (Canada)Sexual Violence |
Author: Security Council Report Title: Women, Peace and Security: Sexual Violence in Conflict and Sanctions Summary: Security Council Report’s third Cross-Cutting Report on Women, Peace and Security analyses statistical information on women, peace and security in country-specific decisions of the Security Council and developments in 2012, with a particular focus in the case study on the nexus between sexual violence in conflict and sanctions imposed by the Security Council. The report also examines the Council’s inconsistency in including language on the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse for UN personnel in resolutions establishing or renewing mandates for peace missions. The report will also briefly touch on key developments on the women, peace and security agenda in early 2013. Since our first Cross-Cutting Report on Women, Peace and Security in 2010, there has been significant growth in the UN system’s focus on this thematic issue. The first Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict was appointed in February 2010, and in January 2011 a system-wide entity on women’s equality and empowerment, UN Women, was established. Both the head of UN Women and the Special Representative have briefed the Security Council regularly since taking up their respective positions. Three years since the start of these institutional processes, it seems appropriate to examine how the establishment of these offices at UN headquarters, the continued deployment of gender expertise in the field as well as gender expertise supplementing the work of various sanctions committees’ experts groups have complemented the Security Council’s own approach to the women, peace and security agenda. This report will assess whether a more robust women, peace and security infrastructure has improved the flow of information to the Security Council and, if so, whether such improvement, in turn, has translated into an enhanced focus on these matters in Council decision-making, and in particular, in the work of its sanctions committees. Specifically, this report examines the Council’s follow-through on its own intention expressed in resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) to consider including designation criteria for the imposition of sanctions pertaining to acts of rape and other forms of sexual violence. To examine the nexus between sexual violence and activity by the Security Council and its sanctions committees, this report reviews the mandates of relevant sanctions regimes, the application of sanctions and relevant listing and designation criteria and reporting by associated expert groups on sexual and gender-based violence. The report will consider the sanctions regimes imposed on Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Somalia and Sudan as examples of the Security Council’s approach to women, peace and security issues—in particular whether such tools have been used to enhance accountability for sexual violence in armed conflict. In addressing the issue of accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence, the case study will also briefly touch on parallel international justice mechanisms where they exist. The past two years have been a time of particular division in the Council, with significant push-back by several permanent and elected Council members on the key thematic issues including on women, peace and security, children and armed conflict and protection of civilians. There has been repeated criticism by some Council members that the reporting on women, peace and security, particularly on sexual violence, has gone beyond its mandate by including countries that are not on the Security Council’s agenda. However, the overarching observation of this study is that this push-back has largely played itself out in difficult and protracted negotiations at the thematic level but has not negatively impacted the integrity of the Council’s women, peace and security normative framework. Interestingly, despite this controversy at the thematic level, the women, peace and security agenda continued to be substantively applied in the Council’s country-specific resolutions, the Council expanded its work at the committee-level when considering sexual violence or rape as designation criteria in various sanctions regimes and there has been regular interaction between the Council and UN Women and the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The Council’s interaction with the Special Representative has been especially notable at both the Council level—insofar as she has briefed not only on her broader mandate but also on several country-specific situations—and her office’s interactions with several expert groups of the Council’s sanctions committees. However, the study did reveal one area of concern regarding the Council’s inclusion of the UN’s zero-tolerance policy in its relevant resolutions. In a review of the resolutions in effect in 2012 for 12 peacekeeping operations and seven political and peacebuilding missions, only eight had mandates that included a reference to the zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse for UN personnel. In practice, the Council has not been involved in the matter and the issue has been left to the discretion of the Secretariat and troop-contributing countries. Details: New York: Security Council Report, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/cross_cutting_report_2_women_peace_security_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/cross_cutting_report_2_women_peace_security_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 129516 Keywords: Conflict-Related Sexual ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: U.S. Department of Defense. Inspector General Title: Evaluation of the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations Sexual Assault Investigations Summary: What We Did - We evaluated the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations’ (MCIOs’) sexual assault investigation training to determine whether it adequately supports the Department. Our evaluation focused on the following questions: • What sexual assault investigation training do the MCIOs provide? • How do the MCIOs ensure that sexual assault investigation training is effective? • How do the MCIOs leverage their resources and expertise? What We Found - Each MCIO provides initial baseline, periodic refresher, and advanced sexual assault investigation training to assigned criminal investigative personnel who may conduct sexual assault investigations. Between MCIOs, the training hours devoted to initial baseline training tasks varied. Further, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) initial baseline training materials did not cover four required essential training subtasks. All MCIO training academies measure the effectiveness of initial and advanced training courses, and they use the results to adjust training content to increase effectiveness. Conversely, the MCIOs do not measure the effectiveness of periodic refresher training. CID has attempted to consolidate MCIO advanced sexual assault investigation training. CID and NCIS share highly qualified and subject matter experts (HQE and SME) to assist with training course development and delivery. Also, CID assisted NCIS by instructing at their advanced sexual assault investigation training course. What We Recommend • The Director, NCIS, ensure lesson materials for initial sexual assault investigation training covers all essential training tasks. • The Director and Commanders of the MCIOs form a working group to review (1) initial baseline sexual assault investigation training programs to establish common criteria and minimum requirements, (2) periodic refresher sexual assault investigation training programs to establish common criteria and minimum requirements for measuring effectiveness, and (3) advanced sexual assault investigation training programs to further capitalize on efforts to leverage training resources and expertise. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense. Inspector General, 2013. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Report No. DODIG-2013-043; Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.dodig.mil/pubs/documents/DODIG-2013-043.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.dodig.mil/pubs/documents/DODIG-2013-043.pdf Shelf Number: 129520 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsMilitaryRapeSexual Assaults (U.S.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Russell, Nina Title: A Review of the Associations between Drugs (including Alcohol) and Sexual Violence. Literature Review Report Summary: Most New Zealand adults drink occasionally, and whilst many drink in moderation, New Zealand is recognized as having a drinking culture which supports and condones the excessive consumption of alcohol. After alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug in New Zealand. Most illicit drugs (with the exception of marijuana) are only used regularly by a very small percentage of the New Zealand. Young males are more likely to take drugs, drink more often and in greater amounts than other groups in New Zealand. The overall aim of the literature review is to report the associations between alcohol and drugs and sexual violence, including how incidents of sexual violence that involve alcohol and/or drugs are treated within the justice system and by the media. Details: Wellington, NZ: Department of Justice, 2008. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/supporting-victims/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/A%20Review%20of%20the%20Associations%20between%20Drugs%20-including%20Alcohol-%20and%20Sexual%20Violence.pdf Year: 2008 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/supporting-victims/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/A%20Review%20of%20the%20Associations%20between%20Drugs%20-including%20Alcohol-%20and%20Sexual%20Violence.pdf Shelf Number: 129524 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderDrug Abuse and CrimeSexual Violence |
Author: Jansen, Henrica A.F.M. Title: National Study on Domestic Violence against Women in Tonga Summary: Violence against women (VAW) is a global problem that crosses cultural, geographic, religious, social and economic boundaries and is a violation of human rights. Violence against women deprives women of their right to fully take part in social and economic life. It causes a myriad of physical and mental health issues and in some cases results in loss of life. A lack of understanding of the magnitude of VAW, its causes and consequences, and the trends and patterns across cultures and countries, including the Pacific, hinders the development of efforts to address it. Up until now, very little has been known about the prevalence and patterns of VAW and domestic violence in Tonga, and there has been a real need for evidence to learn more about the prevalence, causes and consequences of AW, and in particular to inform policy directions. To address this lack of data, Ma`a Fafine mo e Famili Inc. (MFF) initiated a research project on understanding violence against women in this country. In 2008, MFF was awarded funding from AusAID to conduct a study. This marked the first time a large-scale quantitative and qualitative study on this topic was conducted in Tonga. The National Study on Domestic Violence against Women in Tonga consisted of two separate components: a quantitative study based on the methodology developed for the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women; and a qualitative study based on Tongan methodology of Talanoa and Nofo (see below). The use of qualitative and quantitative components was to seek results that complemented each other. The study sought to obtain information about: (1) The prevalence, frequency and types of violence against women, including: Physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by intimate partners; Physical and sexual violence against women since they were 15 years old, by non-partners; and xxi Sexual abuse in childhood (before 15 years of age)1; (2) The extent to which violence against women by a partner is associated with a range of health and other outcomes; (3) Factors that may either protect or put women at risk of violence by a partner; and (4) Coping strategies and services that women use to deal with domestic violence, as well as perceptions about domestic violence against women. Details: Nuku‘alofa, Kingdom of Tonga: Ma`a Fafine mo e Famili Inc., 2012. 165p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2013 at: http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/pacific/drive/tonga-vaw-report-final-2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Tonga URL: http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/pacific/drive/tonga-vaw-report-final-2012.pdf Shelf Number: 129525 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Related ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Tonga) |
Author: Hester, Marianne Title: From Report to Court: Rape cases and the criminal justice system in the North East Summary: This research was commissioned by the Northern Rock Foundation to examine progression of individual cases relating to rape through the criminal justice system, from reporting to conviction, across three police force areas in the North East of England. The study came about due to concerns within the criminal justice sector in the region that little is known about the detailed pattern of progression, attrition or related criminal justice system practice in rape cases. Nationally the data on rape cases progressing through the criminal justice system is unable to provide a clear picture of what happens to individual cases from policing through to court outcomes (MoJ et al. 2013). A few previous studies have examined progression of individual cases, however one of these was prior to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (which came into force in 2004) (Kelly et al. 2005), and none were concerned with the North East (Metropolitan Police 2007; McMillan 2010). The current research thus provides a unique picture of the nature of rape cases reported to the police in the early 2010s in the North East of England and adds considerably to our understanding of the progression of individual cases through the criminal justice system. Details: Bristol, UK: Bristol: University of Bristol in association with the Northern Rock Foundation, 2013. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 8, 2013 at: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/From-Report-to-Court-final-5-july-13.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nr-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/From-Report-to-Court-final-5-july-13.pdf Shelf Number: 129579 Keywords: Gender-Related ViolenceRape (U.K.)Sex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Wall, Liz Title: Issues in Evaluation of Complex Social Change Programs for Sexual Assault Prevention Summary: Preventing sexual violence before it occurs is known as primary prevention. Such prevention programs that aim for social change, as in sexual assault prevention, can challenge more traditional perceptions of program success and require consideration as to how success or failure is measured. Broader thinking is required to provide creative, solution-focused evaluation that can be incorporated into program design to enhance sexual assault prevention efforts. Key Messages: ◾The most valid, rigorous and reliable information for any evaluation is that which informs the stakeholders about what they need to know for prevention effectiveness. ◾The complexity of multi-level interventions for sexual assault primary prevention may require consideration of new techniques for evaluating. ◾Acceptance of innovative methods of evaluation is required at the policy and funding level to ensure progress towards effective assessment of primary prevention in sexual assault. ◾Evaluators should utilise an approach that best suits the evaluation question they are considering even if that requires innovative techniques. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, May 2013. 20 p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues No. 14: Accessed August 19, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i14/ Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i14/ Shelf Number: 129658 Keywords: Sex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault Prevention (Australia)Sexual Violence |
Author: Spangaro, Jo Title: What is the Evidence of the Impact of Initiatives to Reduce Risk and Iincidence of Sexual Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones and other Humanitarian Crises in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries? A Systematic Review Summary: What evidence exists for the impact of initiatives to reduce risk and incidence of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict zones and other humanitarian crises in lower and middle-income countries? Who wants to know and why? Sexual violence in the context of conflict and other humanitarian crises is widespread, with at least one in four women in conflict situations affected. Men and children are also at heightened risk. In these settings, sexual violence may be committed i) as a tactic of armed conflict, ii) opportunistically due to situational vulnerability, iii) as a form of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers or humanitarian staff, or iv) as a form of familial or community violence exacerbated by weakened social or legal structures. Since 2000, the United Nations (UN) Security Council has passed five resolutions that addressed this problem among others, prompting the issue of various guidelines and training packages. No previous systematic reviews of evidence for reducing risk and incidence of sexual violence in conflict or other crisis have been undertaken to date. There is now a need to gauge the impact of interventions undertaken to address this problem. Methods of the review A realist approach was adopted, suited to complex problems as it enables analysis of contextual factors and underlying program mechanisms. An extensive literature search employed 23 bibliographic databases, 26 websites, and a hand search of three journals. Included studies were those containing primary empirical data describing implementation or impact of interventions aimed at reducing risk or incidence, or addressing harm from sexual violence occurring in conflict, postconflict or other humanitarian crisis settings in lower or middle-income countries. Studies included were published from 1 January 1990 to 1 September 2011. A total of 2,656 studies was identified, after removal of duplicates. Following the application of exclusion criteria, 49 studies were selected as being in scope for the review and were mapped. Nine studies which reported on overarching policy responses were excluded, leaving 40 studies in the full review. Although much of the broader literature refers to militarised sexual violence committed by combatants, the majority of studies found addressed sexual violence committed opportunistically or within the family/community. Twenty studies reported outcomes and the other twenty reported only on the implementation of interventions (see Appendix 3.1 for a map of the studies). The majority of the studies identified in the review described interventions for sexual violence in post-conflict settings, with few addressing prevention or the conflict context. Most interventions were provided by multilateral agencies, international non-government organisations (NGOs) or national governments, with a few provided by local NGOs or community groups. Seven strategy types were identified: i) survivor care interventions (10 studies); ii) livelihood initiatives (2 studies); iii) community mobilisation initiatives (3 studies); iv) personnel initiatives, e.g. recruitment or training (3 studies); v) systems and security, predominantly firewood patrols or fuel alternatives (3 studies); vi) interventions using a combination of these strategies (13 studies); and vii) legal interventions (6 studies). Most interventions targeted women or were non-specific. Two interventions targeted young people specifically, both were disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) interventions, but neither found reduced risk/incidence (Amone-P'Olak 2006; Denov 2006). No studies were found which targeted men specifically as victims. Details: London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, 2013. 170p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 13, 2013 at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Conflict_zones_2013Spangaro_report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 131642 Keywords: Conflict-Related Sexual ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolence Prevention |
Author: MacQuarrie, Kerry L.D. Title: Spousal Violence and HIV: Exploring the Linkages in Five Sub-Saharan African Countries Summary: Over the past decade a consensus has been growing that intimate partner violence contributes to women's vulnerability to HIV. A diverse body of research has explored this association, mostly in the developing world. Studies based on women who present at health clinics often report a significantly higher prevalence of intimate partner violence among HIV-positive women compared with HIV-negative women. Moreover, six of seven studies using nationally representative samples reported a significant association between some form of violence and HIV status. The usual interpretation is that spousal violence increases the risk of HIV for women. Yet a direct effect on HIV status is unlikely, since there is no apparent direct causal pathway leading from most forms of spousal violence to the acquisition of HIV. This study contributes to an understanding of the relationship between spousal violence and HIV by taking advantage of data from both members of a couple and using discrete, nuanced measures of spousal violence to better specify the associated pathways through which violence influences HIV. We propose a gender-based conceptual framework in which the association between a woman's experience of spousal violence and her HIV status is mediated by two primary pathways: First, the HIV risk behaviors/factors of her husband and, second, her own behavioral and situational HIV risk factors. Both of these factors have been associated with violence experienced by women and perpetrated by men. This study uses data on married couples from six Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in five sub- Saharan countries: Kenya 2008-09, Malawi 2010, Rwanda 2005, Rwanda 2010, Zambia 2007, and Zimbabwe 2010-11. These surveys included HIV testing for both women and men and also the domestic violence module, thus providing a subsample of married or cohabiting couples by their experience of violence and their HIV status. We examine the direct or indirect linkages between spousal violence and women's HIV status. We also explore the association between spousal violence and wives' and husbands' HIV risk factors. Specifically, we include the following factors: lifetime number of sexual partners; STI or STI symptoms in the last 12 months; and for husbands only, non-marital sex in the past 12 months; having paid for sex; alcohol use; and husband's HIV status. We consider several forms of spousal violence (emotional, physical, and sexual violence) and husbands' controlling behaviors. In keeping with the conceptual framework, we develop a series of statistical analyses to test the direct effect of spousal violence on women's HIV status and the role of HIV risk factors as mediators. The results reveal a strikingly common structure of what constitutes violence across the five countries. Five factors emerge in each country: (1) suspicion, (2) isolation, (3) emotional violence, (4) physical violence, and (5) sexual violence. These five factors account for 57 to 66 percent of the variance among the items in each country. Our factor analysis upholds the validity of experts' assignment of the various acts of spousal violence to the categories of emotional, physical, or sexual violence. An important additional insight is that the six items typically categorized as controlling behavior actually represent not one construct, but two separate constructs-suspicion and isolation-which are distinct from emotional, physical, or sexual violence. The study finds a significant association between multiple forms of violence and women's HIV status, after adjusting for wives' and husbands' socio-demographic characteristics but not risk factors. Yet, no single form of spousal violence is consistently associated with women's HIV status in all five countries. A significant relationship is found with women's HIV status for the controlling behaviors suspicion and isolation in Zambia and Zimbabwe; for emotional violence in Kenya, Rwanda and Zimbabwe; for physical violence, in Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe; and in no country for sexual violence, the least prevalent form of violence among study couples. In Malawi no form of violence is associated with a wife's risk of having HIV. In all five countries both HIV risk factors for women - lifetime number of sexual partners and recent STI or STI symptoms - are significantly associated with their having HIV, after controlling for background characteristics but not for each other. Most of the spousal violence measures are associated with both wives' HIV risk factors in each country. The most prominent predictor of a woman's HIV status is her husband's HIV status, among all the men's factors considered. Numerous husbands' HIV risk factors are associated with their wives' HIV status, but far less consistently than either husbands' HIV status or women's risk factors. The association between the experience of spousal violence and husbands' risk factors, too, is weaker and less consistent than with women's risk factors. Nevertheless, multiple relationships between spousal violence and wives' and their husbands' risk factors on one hand, and between wives' and husbands' risk factors and women's HIV status on the other, suggest that there are several possible mediators between various forms of spousal violence and women's HIV status. Indeed, when either wives' risk factors or husbands' risk factors, or both combined, are added to our models, most spousal violence factors are no longer a significant predictor of women's HIV status. The only form of spousal violence that appears to have a direct net association with HIV is physical violence, which remains significant in all models in Kenya and Zimbabwe. For almost all forms of violence (physical violence being the exception) and in all five countries, any observed significant relationship of spousal violence with a woman's HIV status is explained away by wives' or husband's HIV risk factors. The study provides evidence that there is no direct effect of most forms of spousal violence on women's HIV status, only an indirect effect through selected behavioral and other factors commonly considered to put an individual at high risk of HIV. The finding that sexual violence is not associated with women's HIV status, even before considering any mediating risk factors, deserves further exploration. Similarly, investigation is warranted to ascertain why physical violence continues to be associated with women's HIV status after controlling for these risk factors. Details: Calverton, MD: ICF International, 2013. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: DHS Analytical Studies No. 36: Accessed November 13, 2013 at: http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/AS36/AS36.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Africa URL: http://www.measuredhs.com/pubs/pdf/AS36/AS36.pdf Shelf Number: 131654 Keywords: Family ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceHIV (Viruses)Intimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceSpouse Abuse (Africa)Violence Against Women |
Author: Parren, Franny Title: Combatting Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimization in the European Union: Stakeholder Perspectives and Recommendations Summary: Youth sexual aggression and victimization (Y-SAV) is a problem all over Europe. In most countries where data on sexual violence is disaggregated by age, prevalence figures for sexual aggression and victimization in the age group 12-25 years old are higher compared to average fi gures for the overall population. Understanding and preventing youth sexual aggression and victimization is important not only to tackle the existing high prevalence, but also to invest in sexual health and equal relationships for future generations. Sexual aggression is characterised by many grey areas and there are a range of sexual pressures and unwanted sex that do not necessarily fit within the legal frame of sexual violence, but nonetheless require societal action. Particularly in the current context of over-exposure to media images and virtualised socio-sexual interaction, young people need adequate support to develop positive attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles, and to strengthen their sexual interaction competence. This report forms part of the European Y-SAV project (implemented in the period July 2010 - December 2013). Consultations have been conducted in nine EU member states (Ireland, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands) and a total of 73 organisations and 20 individual experts participated. The participants identified the main shortfalls and opportunities to address youth sexual aggression and victimization within a variety of areas and provided recommendations to improve responses towards youth sexual aggression and victimization at the EU level and at the level of individual member states. Details: Utrecht, The Netherlands: Rutgers WPF, 2013. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 23, 2013 at: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://ysav.rutgerswpf.org/sites/default/files/ESAP_2013_Online2.pdf Shelf Number: 131662 Keywords: Juvenile OffendersJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assault (Europe) Sexual ViolenceVictimization |
Author: DePrince, Anne P. Title: Preventing Revictimization in Teen Dating Relationships Summary: Revictimization refers to the occurrence of two or more instances of violence and poses an enormous criminal justice problem. Adolescent girls in the child welfare system are at high risk of revictimization in adolescence. Most interventions with teens have focused on primary prevention (that is, prevention in teens not previously exposed to violence) of physical (usually not sexual) violence. In addition, interventions have frequently targeted youth in school settings, though youth in the child welfare system experience frequent transitions in housing/care that disrupt regular attendance at a single school. Thus, child welfare youth at high risk of revictimization may not receive prevention programming as consistently as their peers. Thus, the current study compared two active interventions designed to decrease revictimization in a diverse sample of adolescent girls in the child welfare system. The interventions targeted theoretically distinct risk factors for revictimization. The social learning/feminist (SL/F) intervention focused on concepts derived from social learning and feminist models of risk, such as sexism and beliefs about relationships. The risk detection/executive function (RD/EF) intervention focused on potential disruptions in the ability to detect and respond to risky situations/people due to problems in executive function. We enrolled 180 adolescent girls involved in the child welfare system. Participants were assessed four times: pre-, immediately post-, 2-months, and 6-months after the intervention ended. Assessment procedures included a comprehensive battery of self-report and behavioral tasks designed to assess the processes implicated by the two revictimization intervention approaches. We examined revictimization (the presence/absences of sexual or physical assault in any relationship) as well as a range of aggressive conflict tactics in current dating relationships. Participants were randomized to complete the RD/EF (n=67) or SL/F intervention (n=67). A group of youth (n=42) emerged who engaged in the research assessments and not the interventions. This offered an opportunity for a post-hoc, nonrandomized comparison group. Teens in the three conditions (RD/EF, SL/F, assessment only) were comparable in terms of demographic variables examined. Adolescent girls in the RD/EF condition were nearly 5 times more likely to not report sexual revictimization over the course of the study period compared to girls in the assessment-only group. A trend suggested that girls who participated in the SL/F intervention were 2.5 times more likely to not report sexual revictimization relative to the comparison group. For physical revictimization, the odds of not being physically revictimized were 3 times greater in the SL/F condition and 2 times greater in the RD/EF condition compared to the assessment-only group. The active interventions did not differ from one another in rates of revictimization, suggesting that practitioners have at least two viable options for curricula to engage youth around revictimization prevention. Further, the groups did not differ in attendance. Adolescents attended an average of nearly 70% of sessions, suggesting both interventions were acceptable to youth. We also examined adolescent girls' ratings of physical, emotional, and sexual conflict tactics in dating relationships using a continuous measure of aggression. Across time, adolescents reported significant decreases in their own and their partners' aggressive conflict tactics; the groups did not differ from one another. As part of demonstrating that high-risk youth can be successfully engaged outside of school-based programs, we also examined participants' responses to taking part in violence-focused interviews. Drawing on systematic assessments of participants' responses to the research interviews, adolescents reported that the benefits of violence-focused interviews outweighed the costs. As evidence increasingly points to the need to screen for and address trauma as part of providing effective mental and physical healthcare, this study has implications for thinking about assessing violence exposure as a routine part of practice. Details: Final Report to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2014 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/244086.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/244086.pdf Shelf Number: 131994 Keywords: AdolescentsDate RapeDating ViolenceRevictimizationSexual Violence |
Author: Breiding, Matthew J. Title: Intimate Partner Violence in the United States - 2010. Summary: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem. IPV includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression (including coercive tactics) by a current or former intimate partner. In addition to the immediate impact, IPV has lifelong consequences. A number of studies have shown that beyond injury and death, victims of IPV are more likely to report a range of acute and chronic mental and physical health conditions (Black, 2011; Coker, Smith, & Fadden, 2005; Coker, Davis, Arias, Desai, Sanderson, Brandt, & Smith, 2002). Many survivors of these forms of violence experience physical injury; depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide attempts; and other health conditions such as gastro-intestinal disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and gynecological or pregnancy complications. These conditions can lead to hospitalization, disability, or death. During the past decade, our understanding of the biological response to acute and chronic stress that links IPV with negative health conditions has deepened (Black, 2011; Crofford, 2007; Pico-Alfonso, Garcia-Linares, Celda-Navarro, Herbert, & Martinez, 2004). Additionally, a number of behavioral factors are likely to play a role in the link between IPV and adverse health conditions, as victims of IPV are more likely to smoke, engage in heavy/binge drinking, engage in behaviors that increase the risk of HIV, and endorse other unhealthy behaviors (Breiding, Black, & Ryan, 2008; Coker et al., 2002). Findings in this report are based on data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). NISVS is an ongoing, nationally representative, random digit dial telephone survey that collects information about experiences of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking from non-institutionalized English- and/or Spanish-speaking women and men aged 18 or older in the United States. This report provides findings from the 2010 data collection pertaining to intimate partner violence. Some of the key topics covered in this report are: - Overall lifetime and 12-month prevalence of IPV victimization - Prevalence of IPV victimization by sociodemographic variables, such as race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and income - Impact of IPV victimization - Characteristics of IPV victimization such as number of lifetime perpetrators, sex of perpetrator, and age at first IPV victimization - Services needed and disclosure related to IPV victimization The findings presented in this report are based on complete interviews from the NISVS survey. Complete interviews were obtained from 16,507 adults (9,086 women and 7,421 men) in 2010. The relative standard error (RSE), which is a measure of an estimate's reliability, was calculated for all estimates in this report. If the RSE was greater than 30%, the estimate was deemed unreliable and is not reported. Consideration was also given to the case count. If the estimate was based on a numerator < 20, the estimate is also not reported. Estimates for certain types of violence reported by subgroups are not shown because the number of people reporting a specific type of victimization was too few to calculate a reliable estimate. These non-reportable estimates are noted in the report so the reader can easily determine what was assessed and where gaps remain. A detailed description of the violence types measured, as well as the verbatim violence victimization questions, are presented in the Appendices of the report. Details: Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2014 at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_ipv_report_2013_v17_single_a.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_ipv_report_2013_v17_single_a.pdf Shelf Number: 131999 Keywords: Crime StatisticsIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: White House Council on Women and Girls Title: Rape and Sexual Assault: A Renewed Call to Action Summary: This report analyzes the most recent, reliable data about rape and sexual assault in our country. It identifies those most at risk of being victims of these crimes, examines the cost of this violence (both to survivors and our communities), and describes the response, too often inadequate, of the criminal justice system. The report catalogues steps this Administration has taken to combat rape and sexual assault, and identifies areas for further action. An overview of the problem: - Women and girls are the vast majority of victims: nearly 1 in 5 women - or nearly 22 million - have been raped in their lifetimes. - Men and boys, however, are also at risk: 1 in 71 men - or almost 1.6 million - have been raped during their lives. - Women of all races are targeted, but some are more vulnerable than others: 33.5% of multiracial women have been raped, as have 27% of American Indian and Alaska Native women, compared to 15% of Hispanic, 22% of Black, and 19% of White women. - Most victims know their assailants. - The vast majority (nearly 98%) of perpetrators are male. - Young people are especially at risk: nearly half of female survivors were raped before they were 18, and over one-quarter of male survivors were raped before they were 10. College students are particularly vulnerable: 1 in 5 women has been sexually assaulted while in college. - Repeat victimization is common: over a third of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults. Other populations are also at higher risk of being raped or sexually assaulted, including people with disabilities, the LGBT community, prison inmates (of both genders), and the homeless. Undocumented immigrants face unique challenges, because their abusers often threaten to have them deported if they try to get help. Details: Washington, DC: The White House, 2014. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: October 5, 2017 at: https://www.knowyourix.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://iaclea.org/visitors/about/documents/WhiteHouseCouncil_sexual_assault_report_1-21-14.pdf Shelf Number: 132046 Keywords: RapeRepeat VictimizationSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Title: Violence Against Women: An EU-Wide Survey. Main Results Summary: This FRA survey is the first of its kind on violence against women across the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU). It is based on interviews with 42,000 women across the EU, who were asked about their experiences of physical, sexual and psychological violence, including incidents of intimate partner violence ('domestic violence'). The survey also included questions on stalking, sexual harassment, and the role played by new technologies in women's experiences of abuse. In addition, it asked about their experiences of violence in childhood. Based on the detailed findings, FRA suggests courses of action in different areas that are touched by violence against women and go beyond the narrow confines of criminal law, ranging from employment and health to the medium of new technologies. Details: Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014. 198p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2014 at: http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-main-results_en.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-main-results_en.pdf Shelf Number: 132048 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceStalkingViolence Against Women |
Author: Flood, Michael Title: Respectful Relationships Education: Violence Prevention and Respectful Relationships Education in Victorian Secondary Schools Summary: This report is intended to advance violence prevention efforts in schools in Victoria and around Australia. It is the outcome of the Violence Prevention, Intervention and Respectful Relationships Education in Victorian Secondary Schools Project, undertaken by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) on behalf of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). The report is designed to achieve the following goals: - to map the violence prevention, intervention and respectful relationships programs that are currently running in Victorian government secondary schools - to identify and explore best practice in violence prevention, intervention and respectful relationships education in schools in Victoria and elsewhere - to inform the development and implementation of violence prevention and respectful relationships policy and programming in Victoria - to increase DEECD's ability to respond more effectively to queries from other government departments, the media and the general public regarding the role of schools in violence prevention and the promotion of respectful relationships. The report focuses on the prevention of forms of violence that occur in intimate and family relationships, including physical or sexual violence by boyfriends and girlfriends, intimate partners or ex-partners, family members and others. Such forms of violence may overlap, or have similarities, with other forms of violence such as bullying, homophobic violence and racist violence. However, these other forms of violence are not the focus of this report. The report does not seek to make recommendations for policies, programs or processes, but rather enhances the evidence base for respectful relationship education in schools. The report is based on a review of violence prevention programs in Victoria that occurred in two stages. Stage One (May to August 2008) aimed to identify violence prevention and respectful relationships programs currently operating in, or being delivered to, Victorian government secondary schools, as well as to distil principles of good practice in schools-based programs from the national and international literature. Stage Two (September 2008 to May 2009) involved a more detailed analysis of programs identified as good practice or 'promising practice' models, interviews with key informants and further analysis of existing research on violence prevention. Comments by key informants have been integrated into the text, but in order to protect confidentiality have not been attributed to individuals. Details: Melbourne: Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2009. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/stuman/wellbeing/respectful_relationships/respectful-relationships.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/stuman/wellbeing/respectful_relationships/respectful-relationships.pdf Shelf Number: 132072 Keywords: Dating ViolenceDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSchool-Based ProgramsSexual ViolenceViolence Prevention Programs (Australia) |
Author: Johnson, Holly Title: Building Prevention: Sexual Violence, Youth and Drinking Summary: This report is the outcome of an Ottawa-based study that explores the connections between sexual violence and drinking among young people. Along with a review of programs aiming to reduce alcohol-related sexual violence, this study profiles some Ottawa-based prevention programs, and presents the results of focus group discussions with local service providers, youth workers, and young women and men recruited from high schools and universities. The objective of this project is to stimulate broader discussion about prevention strategies for the Ottawa community. Effective sexual violence prevention requires an understanding of the context in which it is most likely to occur. Young women experience the highest rates of sexual violence and young men are most often the perpetrators. Most sexual violence takes place between people who know each other, typically in the context of social events such as parties and bars or in dating situations. Alcohol is so common in sexual violence that it is considered by many to be the "date rape drug". A study of women using sexual assault treatment centres in Ontario found that two-thirds had consumed alcohol immediately prior to the assault and 21% (25% in Ottawa) were thought to have been drugged (Du Mont et al., 2009). In fact, alcohol is often used as a deliberate strategy to increase the vulnerability of victims and to reduce resistance to sexual violence. Very often young men receive approval from friends to use these tactics. In one study in the United States, one-third of male university students said their friends approve of getting a woman drunk to have sex with her (Carr & Van Deusen, 2004). When alcohol is involved, a societal double standard arises. Intoxicated women are held responsible for their own victimization whereas intoxication is considered to reduce the responsibility of male perpetrators. Thus, although alcohol is not a direct cause of sexual violence, alcohol adds a particular complexity to the topic of sexual violence prevention. Details: Ottawa: Crime Prevention Ottawa, 2011. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 23, 2014 at: http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/files/publications/bullding_prevention_final_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/uploads/files/publications/bullding_prevention_final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 132152 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderDate RapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Woodley, Alex Title: Breaking the Silence but Keeping Secrets: What Young People Want to Address Sexual Violence Summary: Teen sexual assault and abuse in New Zealand is a significant problem, with nearly one in five New Zealand teens reporting unwanted sexual touching or being made to do sexual things that they did not want to. Statistically, young people aged 15-24 years are at the highest risk of sexual assault in any age group. HELP (Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation) is a specialist organisation that has been providing sexual abuse support services since 1982. It works with women and children in the Auckland area suffering from the effects of sexual abuse, helping them to regain their lives. Tu Wahine Trust is a Kaupapa Maori organisation providing services to Maori sexual abuse survivors, whanau and families. The research has been commissioned by HELP and the Tu Wahine Trust and is funded by the Lotteries Commission. This report, which is part of an overall research project which aims to identify the needs of young people affected by sexual abuse or assault, aims to investigate the psycho-social service needs of young people who have experienced sexual abuse in order to support improvements to services for sexual abuse victims/survivors. Cultural considerations were particularly important in this project. HELP and Tu Wahine partnered on the research approach, design, and methodology of this project. Whilst HELP focused on identifying the pyscho-social service needs of tauiwi (non-Maori) young people, Tu Wahine focused on the needs of rangatahi Maori (Maori young people). The sister organisations then worked together on the parts of the research process that sought the views of rangatahi Maori who had accessed, or might potentially access, mainstream services. The data collection for this report was undertaken in 2012, and comprised: - A literature review - Interviews with refugee and new migrant stakeholders (including GPs, practice nurses, health workers and youth workers) - Twenty-six focus groups, hui and fono with young people, in which 222 young people participated - Three stakeholder hui (organised by Tu Wahine). - Interviews with 16 service providers and stakeholders Details: Auckland, NZ: Tu Wahine Trust and HELP (Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 24, 2014 at: http://helpauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Breaking-The-Silence-FINAL-FINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: http://helpauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Breaking-The-Silence-FINAL-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 132162 Keywords: AboriginalsChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual AssaultRapeSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Beck, Allen J. Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2009-2011 Summary: This report presents counts of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported to correctional authorities in adult prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities in 2009, 2010, and 2011. An in-depth examination of substantiated incidents is also presented, covering the number and characteristics of victims and perpetrators, location, time of day, nature of the injuries, impact on the victims, and sanctions imposed on the perpetrators. Companion tables in Survey of Sexual Violence in Adult Correctional Facilities, 2009-11 - Statistical Tables, include counts of types of sexual victimization reported for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, state prison systems, facilities operated by the U.S. military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sampled jail jurisdictions, privately operated jails and prisons, and jails in Indian country. Data are from the Bureau of Justice Statistics' Survey of Sexual Violence (SSV), which has annually collected official records on allegations and substantiated incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual victimization since 2004. Highlights: Correctional administrators reported 8,763 allegations of sexual victimization in prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities in 2011, a statistically significant increase over the number of allegations reported in 2009 (7,855) and 2010 (8,404). About half of all allegations (51%) involved nonconsensual sexual acts (the most serious, including penetration) or abusive sexual contacts (less serious, including unwanted touching, grabbing, and groping) of inmates with other inmates. Nearly half (49%) involved staff sexual misconduct (any sexual act directed toward an inmate by staff) or sexual harassment (demeaning verbal statements of a sexual nature) directed toward inmates. In 2011, 902 allegations of sexual victimization (10%) were substantiated (i.e., determined to have occurred upon investigation). The total number of substantiated incidents has not changed significantly since 2005 (885). Victims were physically injured in 18% of substantiated incidents of inmate-on-inmate sexual victimization, compared to less than 1% of incidents of staff-on-inmate victimization. More than half (54%) of all substantiated incidents of staff sexual misconduct and a quarter (26%) of all incidents of staff sexual harassment were committed by female staff. Overall, more than three-quarters (78%) of staff perpetrators were fired or resigned. Nearly half (45%) were arrested, referred for prosecution, or convicted. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 29, 2014 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0911.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca0911.pdf Shelf Number: 132156 Keywords: InmatesJailsPrison RapePrisoners, Sexual VictimizationPrisonsSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Bluett-Boyd, Nicole Title: Victim/Survivor-Focused Justice Responses and Reform to Criminal Court Procedure: Implementation, Current Practice and Future Directions Summary: Many of the key narratives of sexual assault that have informed approaches to law reform highlight the unique disadvantage that victim/survivors face within the criminal justice process. Primarily, these concepts - including definitions of the "real" rape standard and the existence of an "ideal" "victim/survivor" draw on problematic, gendered social constructs and requirements that are rarely met by the reality of sexual assault. When projected onto trial settings, these constructs are often exploited through the practices of legal actors and the flexibility of current legislation. This ensures that the process of a criminal trial, and of providing testimony in particular, is traumatising for victim/survivors of sexual assault. The past three decades have seen reform at numerous levels to address these issues, both within and outside of the criminal justice process. While reforms are variable across jurisdictions, key changes include: - the expansion of counsellor/advocate services; - increased specialisation of police and prosecutions; - legislative amendments to the types of evidence that can be introduced at trial; - alternative provisions for giving evidence at trial; and - changes to the instructions given by the judiciary to the jury, including efforts to contextualise sexual assault. Many of these reforms are based on an understanding of the needs of victim/survivors within the criminal justice process. Until relatively recently these needs have conceptually been aligned with those of the justice system; with a focus on increasing convictions and ensuring punitive measures are taken. Recent reforms, including those identified above, appear to reflect an expanded definition of "justice needs", recognising that the criminal justice process intersects with therapeutic and social forms of redress. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. 27: Accessed April 28, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/resreport27/rr27.pdf Shelf Number: 132184 Keywords: Criminal CourtsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault Title: Not Alone: The First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault Summary: One in five women is sexually assaulted in college. Most often, it's by someone she knows - and also most often, she does not report what happened. Many survivors are left feeling isolated, ashamed or to blame. Although it happens less often, men, too, are victims of these crimes. The President created the Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault to turn this tide. As the name of our new website - NotAlone.gov - indicates, we are here to tell sexual assault survivors that they are not alone. And we're also here to help schools live up to their obligation to protect students from sexual violence. Over the last three months, we have had a national conversation with thousands of people who care about this issue. Today, we offer our first set of action steps and recommendations. Details: Washington, DC: White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, 2014. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/report_0.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/report_0.pdf Shelf Number: 132216 Keywords: Campus CrimesDate RapeSchool CrimesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Smith, Brenda V. Title: Policy Review and Development Guide: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Persons in Custodial Settings Summary: This guide includes information that will help adult correctional facilities and juvenile justice agencies to assess, develop, or improve policies and practices regarding LGBTI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex] individuals in their custody. The guide is not meant to be a quick reference for writing policies appropriate for all agencies and/or facilities. It is intentionally vague on "how to" advice and "plug and play" policy guidance. Guides for writing policies exist in many forms. Rather, the purpose of this guide is to (1) define agencies' obligations to LGBTI populations, both legally and in accordance with PREA [Prison Rape Elimination Act] standards, (2) begin a dialogue within agencies regarding the safety and treatment needs of LGBTI populations, and (3) guide agencies in asking good questions about practices and implementation strategies for meeting the needs of LGBTI populations" (p. 1). It is made up of three chapters: introduction and overview-introduction, evolving terminology and definitions, core principles for understanding LGBTI individuals in custody, and emerging data on LGBTI individuals in custodial settings and the challenges they face; LGBTI youth under custodial supervision-the law, PREA standards, other governing principles (state human rights laws and professional codes of ethics), and elements of legally sound and effective policy and practice; and LGBTI adults under custodial supervision-the law, PREA standards, and elements of legally sound and effective policy and practice. Appendixes provide: glossary; case law digest; additional resources; webpages with sample policies; and a training matrix Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2013. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2014 at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Library/027507.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Library/027507.pdf Shelf Number: 132227 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsInmate Sexual AssaultPrison RapeSexual Violence |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Sexual Revictimisation: Individual, interpersonal and contextual factors Summary: There is a complex array of variables related to sexual revictimisation. Although prevalence is difficult to ascertain, several studies relate that people who have been sexually abused as children are two to three times more likely to be sexually revictimised in adolescence and/or adulthood. Much of the literature on sexual revictimisation focuses on the individual risk factors for the victim/survivor - their risk perception and emotional dysregulation resulting from initial sexual victimization - and how these create vulnerability for sexual revictimisation. Broader contextual factors beyond the victim/survivor, however, are often ignored. These contextual factors are explored here with a particular emphasis on minority groups, such as people with a disability; gay, lesbian and bisexual people; and Indigenous people. This focus demonstrates that individual risk factors often do not account for how perpetrators may target vulnerable people who have previously been victimised, how community and organizational attitudes and norms may support sexual revictimisation, and how broader social norms create vulnerability for certain groups. A focus on these broader contextual factors helps to inform prevention strategies. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2014. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Summary: Accessed May 14, 2014 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132347 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseIntimate Partner ViolenceMinority GroupsRapeRepeat Victimization (Australia)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Child Rights International Network Title: Child Sexual abuse and the Holy See: The Need for Justice, Accountability and Reform. A Preliminary Report Summary: The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is seeking detailed information on sexual violence against children by Catholic clergy around the world, its cover up within the Church and the denial of justice and compensation for victims. The scale of the abuse is huge, affecting countless victims around the world. The Holy See is up for review during the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's (CRC) 65th session on 16 January 2014. In a formal communication with the Holy See in July 2013, the CRC, noting "the recognition by the Holy See of sexual violence against children committed by members of the clergy, brothers and nuns in numerous countries around the world, and given the scale of the abuses...", requested detailed information on all cases of child sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy, brothers and nuns or brought to the attention of the Holy See over the reporting but when the Holy See's response to the UN Committee was issued in December 2013,3 it did not provide the full disclosure sought by the Committee. Despite stating that it considers the Convention on the Rights of the Child as "the most important among the rules of international law", it declined to provide this information, stating that the matter did not fall within its jurisdiction and that it is "not the practice of the Holy See to disclose information on the religious discipline". At the heart of the CRC's review of the Holy See are the issues of transparency, access to justice for children and protection from violence - issues which CRIN believes are crucial to securing children's status as individuals with rights. This preliminary global research report maps the scale of child sexual abuse committed by clerics of the Catholic Church and evidence of cover up attempts by the Vatican and Church authorities. It provides an overview of litigation brought by victims of abuse against Catholic clergy seeking remedies for gross violations of their rights. Our aim is to press the Holy See to become more transparent as a State with human rights obligations, and to open it up to further and effective scrutiny by United Nations bodies. We sincerely hope the report will demonstrate solidarity with victims and help to ensure that their voices are heard and acted on by the United Nations as well as the Holy See itself. Details: London: CRIN, 2014. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/VAT/INT_CAT_CSS_VAT_17113_E.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/VAT/INT_CAT_CSS_VAT_17113_E.pdf Shelf Number: 104114 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild Sexual AbuseSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Harvey, Shannon Title: Barriers Faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Accessing Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment, and Sexual Violence Services Summary: In 2012, the Welsh Government began consultation on legislation to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Stakeholders, in early White Paper consultations, suggested that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people may experience specific barriers when seeking support (Faraz Bhula, 2012). Alongside the development of Wales' men's domestic abuse service, some research has been conducted around gay and bisexual men's experiences of domestic abuse. However, LGBT people remain under-represented in referrals to the All Wales Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Helpline and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) across Wales, despite evidence suggesting that they experience domestic and sexual abuse at similar rates to heterosexual, cis women (Donovan et al, 2006; Henderson, 2003). Service provision in Wales and elsewhere in the UK has remained focused on the needs of heterosexual, cis women and knowledge of any differences in LGBT people's support needs is limited. Seeking to further develop policy-making and legislation in this area, the Welsh Government (2013) committed to identifying barriers faced by LGBT people in accessing domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, and sexual violence services. NatCen Social Research was commissioned in January 2014 to conduct this research. Details: Cardiff, Wales: Welsh Government Social Research, 2014. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 17, 2014 at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/2014/140604-barriers-faced-lgbt-accessing-domestic-abuse-services-en.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/2014/140604-barriers-faced-lgbt-accessing-domestic-abuse-services-en.pdf Shelf Number: 132489 Keywords: Bias-Motivated CrimesDiscriminationDomestic ViolenceGays, Crime AgainstGays, Lesbians and Bisexuals, Crime AgainstHate CrimesMinority GroupsSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceStalkingVictim Services |
Author: Seelinger, Kim Thuy Title: Safe Haven: Sheltering Displaced Persons from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. Comparative Report Summary: As part of its Sexual Violence Program, the Human Rights Center conducted a one-year study in 2012 to explore and improve understanding of the options for immediate, temporary shelter for refugees, internally displaced persons, and other migrants fleeing sexual and gender-based violence in countries affected by conflict or natural disaster. We define "shelter" flexibly. For example, it may come in the form of a traditional safe house, a network of community members' homes, or another safe space coordinated by a base organization. Our aim was to generate research-based evidence to inform donors, policymakers, and international and local actors about types of relevant models, priority challenges, and promising practices. The study focused on three key objectives: 1. Identify and describe shelter models available to refugees, the internally displaced, and migrants fleeing sexual and gender-based violence. 2. Identify unique challenges experienced by staff and residents in these settings and explore strategies to respond to these challenges. 3. Explore protection needs and options for particularly marginalized victim groups, such as male survivors, sexual minorities, sex workers, and people with disabilities. The aim and objectives were the same across each of the studies carried out in Colombia, Haiti, Kenya, and Thailand. Our research focused primarily on programs that served communities of refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), including those operating in a camp setting. We also studied mainstream shelters to identify protection options and innovations in urban settings. Study outputs include four country-specific reports and one comparative assessment that contain guiding considerations for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other stakeholders involved in the provision of protection to these populations. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2013. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2014 at: http://www.alnap.org/resource/8607 Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.alnap.org/resource/8607 Shelf Number: 132514 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRefugeesSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Violence |
Author: Horn, Rebecca Title: Safe Haven: Sheltering Displaced Persons from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. Case Study: Kenya Summary: In the first eight months of 2012, the Dadaab refugee camp complex at the Kenya-Somalia border registered nearly 6,000 new arrivals from Somalia, bringing the total population of the northeastern camps to 474,000. If the Dadaab complex were a city, it would be Kenya's third largest, after Nairobi and Mombasa. A similar population explosion occurred on the other side of the country, in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya's northwest. Nearly 13,000 new refugees were registered between January to August 2012, mostly from South Sudan. The total camp population is now over 101,000. By August 2012, the total number of registered refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya came to over 630,000-with 55,000 of these residing having migrated internally to Nairobi.2 Camp overpopulation and ongoing security concerns have led to extreme resource constraints and protection challenges. UNHCR's implementing partners report cases of aggression within the camps, including rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Further south in the country, 664,000 Kenyan citizens were displaced as a result of the post-election violence that occurred immediately after December 2007's presidential election results were announced.3 During the two months of inter-ethnic conflict that ensued, approximately 1000 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were treated by the two major gender violence clinics in Nairobi.4 Today, many Kenyans remain displaced, with entire camp communities still clustered in central and western Kenya. Security and service delivery to the camps is low. Rates of sexual and gender-based violence are difficult to assess, but assumed to be largely underreported. In an era of increased attention to conflict-related violence, we are now beginning to understand the continuum of sexual and gender-based harm that men, women, and children can suffer during armed conflict, in flight, and while temporarily resettled in refugee or internal displacement camps. Violence such as rape, gang rape, and sexual torture or slavery can occur during periods of armed conflict and may be perpetrated by different actors for different reasons. Those fleeing a conflict may still be susceptible to rape, sexual exploitation, or trafficking while attempting to secure transport, cross borders, and find lodging. Finally, even in settlement-whether in refugee or internal displacement camps or in urban centers-vulnerability to harm persists due to a number of factors, including lack of protective networks, immigration status, and basic resources. Displacement also increases vulnerability through new and exacerbating conditions, including the breakdown of family and community ties, collapsed gender roles, limited access to resources, insufficient security, and inadequate housing in camp settings. Refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing armed conflict or even natural disasters have few options for immediate physical protection from sexual or gender-based violence-either during flight or in camps. Further, the needs of refugees or internally displaced persons who also experience sexual and gender-based violence are likely to be urgent and complex. They may experience compounded levels of physical or psychological distress stemming from both conflict-related displacement and their experience of sexual and gender-based violence. Providing services to people with such complex vulnerabilities requires multisectoral approaches that address the special needs created by these circumstances. It is important to better understand the options for immediate safe shelter that exist in these contexts. In addition to providing immediate physical protection, programs that shelter those fleeing sexual and gender-based violence may help to facilitate access to other critical services in resource-constrained displacement settings. However, data about shelter-providing programs in these contexts is extremely limited. Evidence-based information about shelter models, client and staff needs, service challenges, and strategies is urgently required to inform policy, programming, and implementation guidance for international, national, or local entities that design or oversee these protection programs. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2013. 113p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2014 at: http://www.unhcr.org/51b6e2fd9.html Year: 2013 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.unhcr.org/51b6e2fd9.html Shelf Number: 132529 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceHuman TraffickingRapeRefugeesSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Heilman, Brian Title: The Making of Sexual Violence. How Does a Boy Grow Up to Commit Rape? Summary: Women and girls around the world experience staggering levels of rape and other forms of sexual violence. This violence devastates lives, unhinges communities, and hampers greater social and economic development. While the severity, frequency, and purpose of this violence can broaden during times of conflict or emergency, its foundations are laid during "peacetime," as is underscored by the extreme levels of violence observed consistently across the globe. Yet it is only in recent decades that policymakers, researchers, and programmers have begun to pay closer attention to this urgent violation of human rights and barrier to sustainable development. This report presents an overview of five study sites of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), presents findings related to men's self-reported perpetration of sexual violence, investigates seven domains of possible influences on men's sexual violence perpetration and provides actionable lessons and recommendations. Details: Washington, DC: International Center for Research on Women and Promundo, 2014. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.icrw.org/files/publications/The%20Making%20Of%20Sexual%20Violence%20-%20June%202014%20-%20WEB%20PREVIEW.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.icrw.org/files/publications/The%20Making%20Of%20Sexual%20Violence%20-%20June%202014%20-%20WEB%20PREVIEW.pdf Shelf Number: 132556 Keywords: MalesMasculinityRapeSex OffendersSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Feldman, Sara Title: Safe Haven: Sheltering Displaced Persons from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. Case Study: Colombia Summary: The Human Rights Center conducted a review of scholarly and non-governmental organization (NGO) literature on shelter services in Colombia and on the response to sexual and gender-based violence both generally and specific to internally displaced persons. This review provided information on the context of sexual and gender-based violence in Colombia, key actors, and available protection mechanisms. Fieldwork was conducted over five weeks in April and May 2012. In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a total of ten shelter staff and seven shelter residents from a total of eight shelters located in the cities of Bogota, Medellin, and Pasto. Interviews were audio-recorded, and files were translated, transcribed, and coded with qualitative data analysis software (Dedoose). Human Rights Center researchers also carried out twenty-eight key informant interviews with representatives from the government, UN agencies, NGOs, and faith-based organizations involved in Human Rights Center researchers examined eight shelter programs available to displaced individuals fleeing sexual and gender-based violence in three locations: Bogota, Medellin, and Pasto. Shelters included in this study were designed to serve one of three different populations: survivors of domestic violence, the displaced population generally, and displaced persons at particularly high security risk. The domestic violence shelter programs visited were funded and managed by the mayor's offices of Bogota and Medellin. Shelters serving internally displaced persons were funded by government entities, faith-based organizations, and international donors. Displacement shelters were managed by faith-based organizations and NGOs. In Bogota, shelter sites included four a'traditional safe houses": one for survivors of domestic violence, two for the general IDP population, and one for the high-risk IDP population. Researchers also visited one "hybrid" income-generating program offering hotel or apartment-based housing to displaced indigenous women. In Medellin, shelter sites included a "community host system" in which women in the Medellin area shelter survivors of domestic violence in their homes and a traditional safe house program that houses IDPs at high risk. In Pasto, Human Rights Center researchers visited one traditional safe house serving the general IDP population. The length of stay in these programs ranged from three days to four months. Shelter programs offered a variety of services both on-site and through referral, including psychosocial support, legal aid, medical care, vocational training, and employment assistance. The extent of services varied considerably from one site to another. Details: Berkeley, CA: Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2013. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 1, 2014 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/HRC/SS_Colombia_web.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Colombia URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/HRC/SS_Colombia_web.pdf Shelf Number: 132587 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Based Violence Refugees Sexual Violence Victim Services Victims of Violence |
Author: Ricardo, Christine Title: Engaging Boys and Young Men in the Prevention of Sexual Violence: A Systematic and Global Review of Evaluated Interventions Summary: Violence against women is a widespread issue, one that exists in all cultural and socio-economic contexts. Among the various forms of violence that girls and women suffer, rape is often the least visible and least reported. In many cases, such as in dating or married relationships, rape or other forms of sexual violence may not even be recognized by social or legal norms. While the underlying causes of sexual violence are multiple and complex, among the core causes are unequal gender norms and power dynamics between men and women. Throughout the world, boys and men are largely the perpetrators of sexual violence, and girls and women are the victims. It is increasingly understood that men's use of violence is generally a learned behavior, rooted in the ways that boys and men are socialized. There is evidence that this is often at an earlier age than many of the current violence prevention and sexuality education programs target. Adolescence is a time when many boys and young men first explore and experiment with their beliefs about roles in intimate relationships, about dating dynamics and male-female interactions. Research has shown that this is also the time when intimate partner violence first starts to manifest itself, and the earlier and more often it occurs, the more it reinforces the idea that violence is a "normal" part of dating relationships (Laner 1990). A key challenge, therefore, in primary rape prevention is to intervene before the first perpetration of rape or sexual violence, and to reach boys and young men when their attitudes and beliefs about gender stereotypes and sexuality are developing. In this context, it is necessary to reach boys and young men (and girls and young women) with programs that address sexual violence before expectations, attitudes and behaviors about dating are well developed (Fay and Medway 2006). It is also necessary to challenge gender norms and sexual scripts that often underlie coercion and violence in relationships, including "those cultural norms that normalize intimate sexual violence as a 'natural' or 'exaggerated' expression of innate male sexuality" (Carmody and Carrington 2000). In addition, it is necessary to teach adolescents effective communication and problem-solving skills and to promote a culture of responsibility for preventing sexual violence (Berkowitz 2004). In recent years, there has been a significant increase in attention to programming with boys and men and the evidence base regarding what works and what does not work. Violence prevention is still an area in which there are many questions and there is a need for consolidating evidence for advocacy and practice purposes. While there are already many existing reviews of rape prevention programs with male university students and dating violence prevention programs with adolescents, these reviews have largely been limited to North American or Australian context and most often focused only on those programs published in the academic literature - not grey literature. This review is more extensive, in terms of age range (adolescents) and settings (global), and in terms of program goals and scope because it includes those programs that do not have rape prevention as primary focus, but which address underlying risk factors. Details: Washington, DC: Promundo, 2011. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 2, 2014 at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/menandboys.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/menandboys.pdf Shelf Number: 132611 Keywords: Dating ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolence Prevention |
Author: Slegh, H. Title: Gender Relations, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the Effects of Conflict on Women and Men in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: Results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) Summary: Promundo and Sonke Gender Justice have released the complete results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which reveal high levels of gender-based violence and the continuing effects of conflict on couple and family relations. The report will be launched this week at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at ExCel London. The comprehensive report, Gender Relations, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the Effects of Conflict on Women and Men in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, affirms that the devastating impact of war in DRC affects nearly all those living in eastern DRC, and is manifested in highly inequitable and violent partner relations. Approximately 70% of men and 80% of women were directly affected by war and conflict in DRC, and their reports of conflict-related trauma - including physical displacement, injury, death of friends and family members and experiences of sexual violence - are multiple and widespread. The study's results show that years of conflict, combined with persistent poverty, limited functioning of the state and widespread inequitable norms in DRC, create multiple vulnerabilities for women and girls, and no shortage of vulnerabilities for boys and men as well. One key finding is that rates of sexual violence against women in eastern DRC are some of the highest in the world, compared to other settings where the multi-country survey IMAGES has been carried out. Another key finding is that sexual violence as part of conflict, while brutal and traumatic for those who experience it, happens at lower rates than sexual violence carried out in the home, which the study's co-authors Gary Barker and Henny Slegh discuss in the article "Being Honest About Sexual Violence in War, and Everywhere Else." This survey, carried out with 1,500 men and women in eastern DRC, found that 22% of women were forced to have sex or were raped as part of the conflict, as were some 10% of men. In addition, approximately half of women had experienced sexual violence from a husband or male partner. Nearly a third of both women and men reported an unwanted sexual experience as children. In sum, the effects of economic stress, trauma, fear, frustration, hunger and lack of means to sustain the family are felt first and foremost in family and partner relations. Furthermore, in spite of the compounding effects of the conflict, many findings were consistent with IMAGES studies in other parts of the world: men's childhood experiences of violence, binge drinking and inequitable attitudes were associated with their use of intimate partner violence. At the same time, men whose own fathers were involved in the household were more likely to carry out household tasks. The report reveals the urgent need for more intense promotion of gender equality in DRC's education, health and justice sectors, at both the local and national levels; a rollout of psychosocial and secondary prevention that enables boys and girls to overcome violence they have experienced and witnessed; and long-term rebuilding from the conflict that takes into consideration mens and women's sense of loss of status and identity, and their need for psychosocial support. The report also highlights the needs for a more adequate policy framework in DRC and immediate action on those policies. Sonke Gender Justice recently carried out a review (a summary of which is included in this study) of the policies in DRC and the associated challenges. This study in DRC is part of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), a multi-year, multi-country study created and coordinated by Promundo and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). IMAGES is one of the most comprehensive studies ever on men's practices and attitudes as they relate to gender norms, attitudes toward gender equality policies, household dynamics including caregiving and men's involvement as fathers, intimate partner violence, health and economic stress. As of 2013, it had been carried out in 10 countries (including this study in DRC) with additional partner studies in Asia inspired in part by IMAGES. Details: Washington, DC, and Capetown, South Africa:Promundo-US and Sonke Gender Justice, 2014. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://www.genderjustice.org.za/101908-gender-relations-sexual-and-gender-based-violence-and-the-effects-of-conflict-on-women-and-men-in-north-kivu-eastern-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/file.html Year: 2014 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.genderjustice.org.za/101908-gender-relations-sexual-and-gender-based-violence-and-the-effects-of-conflict-on-women-and-men-in-north-kivu-eastern-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/file.html Shelf Number: 132628 Keywords: Family ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceSocioeconomic Conditions and ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Brooks, Oona Title: Violence Against Women: Effective Interventions and Practices with Perpetrators: A literature review Summary: This report presents a review of literature on effective interventions and practices to deal with perpetrators of violence against women. The key focus is with those interventions and practices which are aimed at reducing re-offending, rather than primary prevention and or public education work. The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government in order to inform development of Scotland's strategy for preventing the causes and consequences of violence against women. Many initiatives in relation to violence against women, in particular in relation to domestic abuse, rape prevention and stalking, operate with the twin aim of improving responses to both victims and perpetrators. While this review focuses on what works to deal with perpetrators, it is important to acknowledge that appropriate responses to victims will improve their engagement with the criminal justice system and therefore facilitate improved legal responses to violence against women. Details: Glasgow: Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, 2014. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Report No. 01/2014: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/VAW-Literature-Review-SCCJR-Report-No-05-20141.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/VAW-Literature-Review-SCCJR-Report-No-05-20141.pdf Shelf Number: 132696 Keywords: Abusive MenDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceInterventionsSexual ViolenceVictims of Family ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Improving the Police Response To Sexual Assault Summary: PERF's Summit on "Improving the Police Response to Sexual Assaults," was held on September 23, 2011. This conference brought together approximately 150 police executives, leaders of women's and crime victim organizations, FBI leaders and other federal officials, and others to explore weaknesses in the investigation of sexual assault crimes.At PERF's conference, police executives described several initiatives that have been undertaken to prevent improper "unfounding" of cases, including: - Conducting audits of past cases to identify improperly classified cases; - Eliminating the authority of patrol officers to determine that a case is unfounded, and requiring approval of superior officers to classify a case as unfounded; - Working with advocacy groups to improve transparency and oversight of policing handling of sexual assault cases; and - Improved training of officers regarding the dynamics of rape and how they differ from other crimes. For example, rape victims often feel shame, embarrassment, or stigma that victims of robbery or other serious crimes do not experience. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2012. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Critical Issues in Policing Series: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Critical_Issues_Series/improving%20the%20police%20response%20to%20sexual%20assault%202012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Critical_Issues_Series/improving%20the%20police%20response%20to%20sexual%20assault%202012.pdf Shelf Number: 130802 Keywords: Police Education and TrainingPolice InvestigationsPolice ResponseRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Wall, Liz Title: Under the Influence? Considering the role of alcohol and sexual assault in social contexts Summary: Alcohol has a culturally accepted place in social situations, particularly when young people congregate, however, it is also widely acknowledged that alcohol is often present in many sexual assaults that occur within these social contexts. Although there is extensive research on the link between alcohol and sexual assault, there is still a lack of clarity about the exact role that alcohol plays in facilitating this type of sexual violence. Perpetrators are able to use alcohol to their advantage in a number of ways. Clearly, alcohol is not a causative factor on its own, as many people drink without perpetrating violence. It seems most likely that alcohol acts in multiple ways and interacts with a range of social and individual factors to influence the perpetration of sexual assault. Key messages ◾Alcohol is a feature in a high proportion of sexual assaults. ◾It appears that alcohol has a multi-faceted role in facilitating sexual assault. ◾There are social and gender issues around alcohol consumption that perpetrators are able to exploit to their advantage. ◾Alcohol is used as a tool by perpetrators to increase victim vulnerability and enhance their own confidence. ◾Alcohol is used as an excuse by perpetrators to reduce their culpability and accountability. ◾Alcohol may be consumed voluntarily by victims or perpetrators may coerce consumption or covertly administer alcohol. ◾Alcohol on its own is not a causative factor for sexual assault but it acts together with social and cultural factors that influence behaviour in relation to social scripts and sexual interactions. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues No. 18: Accessed July 19, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i18/acssa-issues18.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i18/acssa-issues18.pdf Shelf Number: 132716 Keywords: Alcohol Related Crime, DisorderRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Aubert, Veronique Title: Unspeakable Crimes Against Children: Sexual Violence in Conflict Summary: The prevalence of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual violence against children in conflict is shocking. In some contexts more than 80% of those affected are children. This report addresses key questions to understanding sexual violence against children in conflict: What's the scale of the problem? Who suffers? Where does it happen? Who are the perpetrators? Why does it happen? What's the impact on children? The report looks at how we can protect children in these situations and identifies gaps in funding. It makes recommendations to G8 countries to tackle these horrific crimes against children. Details: London: Save the Children, 2013. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 21, 2014 at: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/resources/online-library/unspeakable-crimes-against-children Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/resources/online-library/unspeakable-crimes-against-children Shelf Number: 132726 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstConflict Related ViolenceRapeSexual Violence |
Author: Willman, Alys Title: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: What is the World Bank Doing, and What Have We Learned? A Strategic Review Summary: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is the most egregious manifestation of gender inequality. At least 35% of the world's women have experienced some form of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and numerous men have been victimized as well. Even in contexts of open warfare, the scale of injuries and deaths due to SGBV far eclipses that seen on the battleground. SGBV involves a range of perpetrators and takes many different forms, from workplace harassment, domestic and intimate partner violence, to sexual violence, female genital mutilation, sex-selective abortion, trafficking, and in the most extreme cases, femicide. The impacts of such violence extend far beyond the individual survivors, affecting households, communities and spanning across generations. They can range from physical injuries, to psychological trauma and loss of livelihood or employment. Economically, survivors of SGBV not only have reduced short-term income potential, they may have immediate and long-term medical expenses or have injuries that reduce long-term income and productivity. Details: Washington, DC: World Bank, 2013. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 23, 2014 at: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2013/12/09/000461832_20131209163906/Rendered/PDF/832090WP0sexua0Box0382076B00PUBLIC0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2013/12/09/000461832_20131209163906/Rendered/PDF/832090WP0sexua0Box0382076B00PUBLIC0.pdf Shelf Number: 132737 Keywords: Children Exposed to ViolenceDomestic ViolenceFemicideGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Barnes, Helen Moewaka Title: Sexual Coercion, Resilience and Young Maori: A scoping review Summary: This report provides an overview of what is known in Aotearoa/New Zealand, particularly Maori perspectives, and internationally, on sexual coercion/violence, resilience and healthy relationships, particularly for indigenous peoples, with an overall focus on rangatahi and rangatahi wahine. The report provides a cohesive critique of the field, describes a recommended methodology for research with young people and outlines stakeholder engagement as a sound basis for future partnerships in research and prevention efforts. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Women's Affairs | Minitatanga Mo Nga Wahine, 2010. 134p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://mwa.govt.nz/sites/public_files/sexual-coercion-resilience-and-young-maori-a-scoping-review-pdf.pdf Year: 2010 Country: New Zealand URL: http://mwa.govt.nz/sites/public_files/sexual-coercion-resilience-and-young-maori-a-scoping-review-pdf.pdf Shelf Number: 132751 Keywords: AboriginalsIndigenous PeoplesRapeSex CrimesSexual Violence |
Author: Kumari, Ranjana Title: Violence against Women in Politics. (A study conducted in India, Nepal and Pakistan) Summary: As India's weeks-long federal election continues, the fear of violence prevents many women from participating in the political process, according to a new study. The number of women who vote and contest elections has increased in India, Nepal and Pakistan, but the share of female representatives in national governments decreased, according to a study released Wednesday by UN Women and New Delhi-based Centre for Social Research. This is because more than 60% of women were afraid they would face violence if they participated in politics, said the study, conducted between 2003 and 2013. In India's federal elections in 2009, 556 women ran for office, but only 59, or 10% were elected, a drop in almost 7% from the 1999 election, in which 49 of 284 women were elected, according to the report titled "Violence against Women in Politics." Most victims of violence were poor, lower caste, young women who entered politics, according to the study. India's small share of powerful female politicians are eyeing central roles in the new government once polls end in May, but a majority of Indian women did not enter the male-dominated political circles because they thought it made them vulnerable to violence, the study said. The most widespread risks faced by women in politics include the expectation of sexual favors and threats of violence, according to 800 male and female respondents surveyed across the three countries. Character assassination, verbal harassment and emotional blackmail were also used against women who contest elections. "When men fail to find fault in women's activities or progress, they raise questions on womens chastity," said Netra Prasad Panthi, a politician from the Rupendehi district of Nepal, according to the study. While physical violence, verbal abuse and the threat of violence were higher for India, character assassination was seen as the greatest threat in Pakistan and Nepal. The attitude that a woman's primary responsibility is at home also kept women out of politics. 70% of respondents in India said that even as an elected candidate, a woman should not ignore her domestic responsibilities, and 53% said that a woman's family should decide if she can participate in elections. Another finding in the study showed that 53% of Indian respondents said the country lacked adequate laws to prevent violence against women, and 81% said that the real problem was poor implementation of existing laws. Details: New Delhi: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; Centre for Social Research; 2014. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://www.unwomensouthasia.org/assets/VAWIP-Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unwomensouthasia.org/assets/VAWIP-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132771 Keywords: PoliticsSexual ViolenceVerbal AbuseViolence Against Women |
Author: Centre for Innovative Justice Title: Innovative Justice Responses to Sexual Offending: Pathways to better outcomes for victims, offenders and the community Summary: Sexual assault is complex, pervasive and insidious. The criminal justice system is expected to deliver a sense that justice has been done, yet its current response is inadequate for the large majority of sexual assault victims. Victims of sexual assault have historically been met with denial and disbelief, with society failing to develop an adequate response to a crime it did not fully recognise or understand, and to gendered assumptions it refused to relinquish. In recent decades, hard won improvements - called for by reformers and feminists, and implemented by well-intentioned governments - have seen sexual assault taken more seriously in legal and political arenas alike. Investigation, prosecution and court procedures have improved; specialisation has been encouraged; and victims have been provided with fairer treatment and additional support services. Despite this, however, sexual assault remains the most under-reported form of personal violence, while estimates suggest that the crucial evidentiary requirements and standards of proof demanded by the criminal process mean that the chance of a sexual assault incident resulting in a conviction is as low as, and potentially lower than, one in one hundred. Hard hitting policies of tougher penalties, longer sentences and stringent release practices, meanwhile, do little to address the majority of sexual offending, instead making offenders reluctant to take responsibility or their offending and choosing to contest the allegations. This in turn makes victims reluctant to pursue a prosecution, not wanting to be drawn into the protracted adversarial process. In other words, most victims of sexual assault do not report to the police, do not pursue a prosecution, or if they do, do not secure a conviction. This means that the conventional criminal justice system, with its single option of investigation by police and prosecution through the courts, is failing to provide an adequate response to the majority of victims of sexual assault. While the prosecution and collective denunciation of sexual offending should continue to be pursued, and while ongoing efforts to reform the conventional criminal justice system remain critical, alone they will not markedly change this state of affairs. Additional non-criminal law based avenues, meanwhile, such as the pursuit of statutory compensation or damages through the civil jurisdiction, have significant limitations attached. Clearly, victims need more choice in their pursuit of justice - a suite of options from which they can identify the path or paths that best suit their circumstances; options that provide them with the opportunity to tell their story, to have the harm acknowledged, to participate in the process and to have a say in the outcome. Some of these options may, to date, not have been pursued precisely because the area of sexual assault is so complex, yet may improve the justice system's response if implemented in the right way. Accordingly, this report argues that the justice system should be responsive, inclusive, flexible and fair - that justice processes should be designed in a way that make them accessible and a more realistic prospect to more victims of sexual assault, rather than reserved for a select few who happen to have cases which are able to meet high legal thresholds. This report by the Centre for Innovative Justice (CIJ) was commissioned by the Attorney-General's Department (Cth) as one of a series of reports identifying important innovations in the justice system. The CIJ's objective in this report is to identify innovative justice processes that have the potential to meet more of the needs of victims of sexual offending; to address public interest concerns; and to prevent reoffending in ways that the conventional justice system has limited capacity to achieve. In doing so, the report suggests that reform does not depend upon a choice between a 'tough' and a 'soft' response but, rather, upon providing an appropriate response - one that is able to meet the disparate needs of victims, while maintaining the integrity of the rights of offenders. As such, the report builds upon existing theoretical work and proposes a best practice, sexual offence restorative justice conferencing model and framework, influenced by national and international innovations, and which is able to be tailored and implemented in all Australian jurisdictions. Restorative justice conferencing involves a facilitated, safe and structured encounter between the victim and the offender, providing an opportunity to repair the harm caused by the offending. The report explains that, to date, restorative justice conferencing practices have tended to exist on the periphery of Australian criminal justice systems and have not been extended to sexual offending in the adult jurisdiction. This is primarily because of legitimate concerns about victims being re-victimised and sexual assault being re-privatised, rather than condemned in the public sphere. While these concerns must be heeded, the CIJ draws from a range of existing examples and concludes that - with comprehensive safeguards and a coordinated, properly resourced system - sexual offence restorative justice conferencing has the potential to meet more of the justice needs of those victims who are being failed by the existing system. In detailing a best practice restorative justice conferencing model for sexual offending, the report addresses such issues as: - The importance of legislation, overarching principles and operational guidelines - The importance of a restorative justice oversight body, incorporating a specialist gender violence team, to oversee and monitor the implementation of the model - The need for skilled and specialist restorative justice conference facilitators - The need for an expert assessment panel to determine the suitability of individual cases for restorative justice conferencing - The importance of basic eligibility criteria, including that all parties consent, and the need for offender and victim age limits - Pathways into and out of restorative justice conferencing, with appropriate police, prosecution and judicial oversight at different stages of the process - The need for protections around admissions made during a conference - The importance of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities around any innovative justice initiatives - The importance of restorative justice processes being responsive to the needs of victims and offenders with cognitive impairments, disabilities and mental illness - The potential outcome agreements and what to do in the event of breakdown - The importance of funded, accessible community based sexual offender treatment programs to complement a restorative justice approach, and - The balance required between victim autonomy and public policy considerations. Details: Melbourne: RMIT, Centre for Innovative Justice, 2014. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2014 at: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/qt1g6twlv0q3.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/qt1g6twlv0q3.pdf Shelf Number: 132790 Keywords: RapeRestorative JusticeSex CrimesSex Offenders (Australia)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Bileski, Matthew Title: The Reporting of Sexual Assault in Arizona, CY 2002-2011 Summary: Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) - 41-2406, which became law in July 2005, requires the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) to compile information obtained from disposition reporting forms submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) on sexual assault (A.R.S. - 13-1406) and the false reporting of sexual assault involving a spouse (A.R.S. - 13-2907.03). Utilizing DPS disposition data, ACJC is mandated to provide an annual report briefing the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records on sexual assault in Arizona. The data used to complete this report were extracted from the Arizona Computerized Criminal History (ACCH) records system and provided to ACJC by DPS in January 2013. By statute, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts are required to submit to the ACCH repository information on all arrests and subsequent case disposition information for felonies, sexual offenses, driving under the influence offenses, and domestic violence offenses. This report focuses on data from calendar years (CY) 2002 to 2011 and updates data reported in the CY2001-2010 report. The ACJC is required to report the law enforcement reporting, filings, and subsequent case disposition findings and sentencing of A.R.S. - 13-1406 sexual assault charges. The following summarizes some of the findings of the research on sexual assault arrest and disposition charges across Arizona: - The total number of arrests involving sexual assault increased from 265 arrests in CY 2002 to 275 in CY 2011, an increase of 3.8 percent. The total number of sexual assault charges increased by 23.1 percent from 442 in CY 2002 to 544 in CY - More than 98 percent of arrestees from CY 2002 to CY 2011 were male, and the proportion that was White ranged between 75.8 percent and 81.8 percent of the total number of sexual assault arrestees. - Convictions for sexual assault increased from 30.8 percent of all disposition findings for sexual assault in CY 2002 to 43.9 percent in CY 2011. - The percentage of convictions that resulted in a sentence of probation ranged from a high of 88.9 percent in CY 2007 to a low of 67.4 percent in CY 2009. The percentage of convictions that resulted in a sentence to prison fell from 62.6 percent in CY 2002 to 54.0 percent in CY 2011, and sentences to jail fell from 5.7 percent to 2.7 percent over the same period. One of the reporting requirements of A.R.S. - 41-2406.C is to identify sexual assault charges involving a spouse. In August 2005, the sexual assault involving a spouse statute (specifically A.R.S. - 13-1406.01) was repealed from the state statutes by Senate Bill 1040. Despite the repeal of A.R.S. - 13-1406.01 as a criminal code, three charges of sexual assault of a spouse were reported beyond CY 2005, two in CY 2007 and one in CY 2008. The following highlights the findings of A.R.S. - 13-1406.01 arrest and disposition charges: - From CY 2002 to CY 2005, the number of arrest charges increased from 17 to 24 charges. - Arrestees for sexual assault involving a spouse were male, more than 84 percent were white/Caucasian, and except in CY 2004, the greatest percentage was between the ages of 25 and 34. - The number of sexual assault involving a spouse finalized disposition charges was 12 in CY 2002 and increased to 18 in CY 2004 before dropping to two in CY 2008. From CY 2002 to CY 2008, the number of convictions ranged from five in CY 2003 down to zero in CY 2007 and CY 2008. - At least 50 percent of convictions for sexual assault involving a spouse resulted in a probation sentence from CY 2002 to CY 2006. The percentage of convictions resulting in a prison sentence ranged from 0.0 percent in CY 2002 and CY 2004 to 60.0 percent in CY 2003, and jail sentencing ranged from 0.0 to 100.0 percent. A.R.S. - 41-2406.C mandates that ACJC report whether the victim and offender were estranged at the time of the offense. Except for a general indication of domestic violence, there is no field on the disposition reporting form that describes the relationship between the victim and the offender or the status of the relationship at the time of the offense. Instead, arrest and disposition information for all sexual assault-related2 charges flagged for domestic violence is reported separately in the report. In order to more comprehensively understand sexual assault in Arizona, this report includes data on violent sexual assault (A.R.S. - 13-1423). Details: Phoenix: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Statistical Analysis Center, 2013. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2014 at: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2013%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2013%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132791 Keywords: Crime StatisticsRapeSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault (Arizona)Sexual Violence |
Author: Ipsos MediaCT Title: Sexual and sadistic violence in films. A Report for the British Board of Film Classification Summary: This research was conducted to inform a review of the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) sexual and sadistic violence policy. The research was commissioned because the BBFC consider an important determinant for identifying potential harm in the viewing of films with sexual and sadistic violence content, to be the insights, opinions and attitudes of the adult general public 18 years and over. The research therefore aimed to explore participant opinion on the potential moral and psychological harm or other impact that could be caused by films which contain scenes of sexual and sadistic violence. Public confidence in the classification system is also deemed to be a key measure for the effectiveness of the system. The research thus sought to establish whether public opinion on cut, uncut and rejected films is in line with the current BBFC classifications and policy. Details: London(?): Ipsos MediaCT, 2012. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2014 at: http://www.ipsos-mori.com/DownloadPublication/1524_mediact_review%20sexual%20violence%20in%20movies.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ipsos-mori.com/DownloadPublication/1524_mediact_review%20sexual%20violence%20in%20movies.pdf Shelf Number: 132912 Keywords: Mass MediaMedia ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence in Motion Pictures |
Author: Tadros, Mariz Title: Reclaiming the Streets for Women's Dignity: Effective Initiatives in the Struggle against Gender-Based Violence in between Egypt's Two Revolutions Summary: This paper is about the struggle to combat gender-based violence in public space in Egypt through the sustained collective action of vigilante groups who organically formed to respond to the increasing encroachment on women in public space from 2011 onwards. The study examines the emergence of a distinct form of collective action (informal youth-led activism aimed at addressing sexual violence in public space) at a very distinct historical juncture in the country's history: the phase after the ousting of President Mubarak in February 2011 through what became known as the 25th of January Revolution and up to the ousting of President Morsi in what became controversially known as the 30th of June Revolution of 2013. Details: Brighton, UK: University of Sussex, Institute of Development Studies, 2014. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Evidence Report No. 48: Accessed August 11, 2014 at: http://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/3384/ER48.pdf;jsessionid=9284806762FADD02CC64702506B472CD?sequence=1 Year: 2014 Country: Egypt URL: http://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/3384/ER48.pdf;jsessionid=9284806762FADD02CC64702506B472CD?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 132986 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Egypt) |
Author: Denney, Lisa Title: A problem-focused approach to violence against women: The political-economy of justice and security programming Summary: The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women ended its 57th session on 15 March 2013 with an outcome document affirming the importance of eliminating violence against women (VAW). The Commission was unable, however, to achieve consensus on a global action plan. The negative reaction of some UN member states to an action plan is a worrying reminder of ongoing resistance to reform. These persistent challenges highlight the continuing struggle to gain a serious global commitment to address VAW and recognise it as a breach of women's fundamental human rights. Engaging in this struggle, many donors have put addressing VAW generally, and in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS) specifically, at the top of the development agenda and made it a major priority of international policy. But in practice progress remains difficult, not least due to entrenched resistance and discriminatory socio-political norms and gender relations that persist in many societies. The problem of violence against women therefore needs to be addressed from the perspective of the concrete socio-political and cultural conditions that shape its particular features and the relevant context specific dynamics of conflict, post-conflict patterns of violence and fragility. International efforts to support reform in the area of VAW in FCAS need to go beyond prescriptive approaches that focus on what access to protection, justice and redress should look like. We propose here an approach that engages with the specificities of the problem - paying attention to context, and the concrete political-economy dynamics of the drivers of VAW - and takes account of the real options that women face in navigating the available security and justice chains to seek protection, redress and justice. Details: London: Overseas Development Office, 2013. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 25, 2014 at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/8325.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/8325.pdf Shelf Number: 133145 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolence Prevention |
Author: Holmes, Rebecca Title: Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in humanitarian crisis Summary: In recent years, international concern over gender-based violence (GBV) in emergencies has grown exponentially. Beginning in the mid-1990s with small programmes in a few countries, GBV interventions providing at least basic survivor care and support are now the norm rather than the exception in humanitarian programming. However, while international attention to GBV has increased substantially, there remains a lack of data on and understanding of good practice in relation to GBV programming in humanitarian contexts, and a lack of consensus on how to apply GBV concepts and terminology. This has resulted in a lack of agreement on how to define, prioritise, prevent and respond to gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts. In response to these challenges, this Network Paper maps and critically analyses good practice in preventing and responding to gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts to support humanitarian practitioners and policymakers to improve the quality of GBV programming. It is based on a review of the literature relating to gender-based violence in emergencies, funded by the UK Department for International Development. The review aimed to answer a number of key questions around the monitoring and evaluation of existing programmes; key features of 'successful' programming; needs assessments, programme design and funding; the effects of mainstreaming GBV programming in humanitarian action; and the state of knowledge and use of GBV guidelines. Details: London: Overseas Development Institute, Humanitarian Practice Network, 2014. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Network Paper No. 77: Accessed August 25, 2014 at: http://www.odihpn.org/hpn-resources/network-papers/preventing-and-responding-to-gender-based-violence-in-humanitarian-crises Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.odihpn.org/hpn-resources/network-papers/preventing-and-responding-to-gender-based-violence-in-humanitarian-crises Shelf Number: 133147 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceServices for Victims of ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: Rape Victims as Criminals: Illegal Abortion after Rape in Ecuador Summary: Ecuador's criminal code prohibits abortion with few exceptions, imposing prison terms ranging from one to five years for women and girls who receive abortions. Medical professionals who provide them are subject to harsher penalties. Even abortion after rape is punishable under the criminal code, except in the case of so-called "idiot or demented" women. These penalties drive some women and girls to have illegal and unsafe abortions, thwarting Ecuador's efforts to reduce maternal mortality and injury. Rape Victims as Criminals: Illegal Abortion after Rape in Ecuador documents how Ecuador's restrictive abortion laws impede health care and post-rape services, and can put the health and even the lives of rape victims in danger. The report is based on interviews with 37 women and girls who had sought reproductive health care, including care after gender-based violence, 22 officials and women's rights experts, and 45 medical professionals working in public and private health facilities. As part of its imminent work on reform of the criminal code, Ecuador's National Assembly should eliminate penalties for voluntary abortions and ensure that all women and girls who have been victims of rape can get comprehensive health services, including abortion if requested. President Rafael Correa should endorse any legislation proposed by the Assembly that would expand the rights of women and girls in Ecuador to access and exercise their reproductive rights and protect their health and well-being. Details: New York: HRW, 2013. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2014 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/ecuador0813_ForUpload_1.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Ecuador URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/ecuador0813_ForUpload_1.pdf Shelf Number: 129906 Keywords: Criminal CodeIllegal AbortionRape (Ecuador)Sexual ViolenceVictims of RapeViolence Against Women |
Author: Boxall, Hayley Title: Historical review of sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia: 1788-2013 Summary: The report provides an overview of the socio-political factors and events that have influenced the development of Australia's child sexual abuse legislation from 1788-2013. Key developments in relevant legislation during this period which are discussed in detail in the report include: the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting males the removal of gendered language from legislation to enable the law to deal with matters involving male victims, female offenders and same sex offences broadening the definition of sexual intercourse introduction of specific legislation relating to child pornography introduction of mandatory reporting laws. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2014. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Special Report: Accessed September 4, 2014 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/007/Historical-review-sexual-offence-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/007/Historical-review-sexual-offence-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Shelf Number: 133178 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseCriminal Law ReformSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Breiding, Matthew J. Title: Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization - National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, United States, 2011 Summary: This report examines the prevalence of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization using data from the 2011 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. In the United States, an estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped during their lifetimes; an estimated 1.6% of women reported that they were raped in the 12 months preceding the survey. An estimated 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lifetimes. The percentages of women and men who experienced these other forms of sexual violence victimization in the 12 months preceding the survey were an estimated 5.5% and 5.1%, respectively. An estimated 15.2% of women and 5.7% of men have been a victim of stalking during their lifetimes. An estimated 4.2% of women and 2.1% of men were stalked in the 12 months preceding the survey. The lifetime and 12-month prevalences of rape by an intimate partner for women were an estimated 8.8% and 0.8%, respectively. An estimated 15.8% of women and 9.5% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, while an estimated 2.1% of both men and women experienced these forms of sexual violence by a partner in the 12 months prior to the survey. Details: Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Surveillance Summaries, Vol. 63, no. 8: Accessed September 12, 2014 at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6308.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6308.pdf Shelf Number: 133290 Keywords: Intimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual Abuse (U.S.)Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceStalkingViolence Against Women |
Author: Boxall, Hayley Title: Brief review of contemporary sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia Summary: The following report provides a brief overview of the offences that an individual who sexually abuses a child in an institutional setting may be charged with at the end of 2013. Information provided for each of the identified offences includes: the location of the offence in the respective state or territory's legislation; the age of the victim (where relevant); - aggravating factors - for the purpose of this review, restricted to factors relating to: the age of the child; - the relationship between the offender and victim; and - whether the victim has an intellectual impairment, physical disability or mental illness; the maximum penalty. The offences included in this review have been divided into a six sections: contact sexual offences where the child is below the legal age of consent (16, 17 or 18 years old depending on the jurisdiction and nature of the sexual act); contact sexual offences where the child is above the legal age of consent; contact sexual offences where the age of the victim is not specified; non-contact sexual offences; child pornography offences (production); and offences for which institutions and/or their representatives that were aware of child sexual abuse may be charged. Only offences relating to individuals located within Australia are included in this review. Further, while there are other defences that may be used to refute charges brought under sexual offence or child sexual abuse legislation (for example, honest and reasonable belief that a person was over a certain age and similarity in age between the victim and offender), the only defence that is considered in this report is consent. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2014. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Special Report: Accessed September 15, 2014 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/006/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/006/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation.pdf Shelf Number: 133327 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Criminal Defense Criminal Law Reform Sex Offenders Sexual Violence |
Author: Myers, Juliette Title: Untying the Knot: Exploring Early Marriage in Fragile States Summary: Tying the knot: an expression that for most of us evokes happy memories of one of the best days of our lives. However, the fun of planning the wedding and the heady excitement of the first weeks of marriage will not be the experience of 13.5 million girls this year. Instead, fearing threats, and encouraged or coerced into marriage as a means of protection, nearly one-in-three girls in developing countries will marry before the age of 18. The younger the girl, the more harmful the consequences: I have seen girls as young as eight being married off to men decades older than them. The impact of sexual activity on children who are too young can be catastrophic. Children having children continues to be a common phenomenon across the developing world, with deaths caused by early pregnancy and birth complications the biggest cause of mortality for girls aged 15-19. Beyond the physical harm they face, is the complete loss of childhood. Children who marry do not play with their friends, are often not attending school, do not have access to opportunities for their future, and are confined within roles which bring responsibilities that they did not choose and often do not understand. This report unravels the links between fragility and early marriage. By showing how marriage is used as a perceived means of 'protection' for girls, this report is a unique contribution to the evidence base of factors driving early marriage prevalence. Revealing the complex causes of this harmful practice, World Vision also identifies key actions that can be taken, both globally and by the UK Government, to reduce the stress on communities and provide families with alternative, effective means of really protecting their daughters. Details: Fox Mine, Milton Keynes, UK: World Vision UK, 2013. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2014 at: http://www.worldvision.org/resources.nsf/main/press-reports/$file/untying-the-knot_report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.worldvision.org/resources.nsf/main/press-reports/$file/untying-the-knot_report.pdf Shelf Number: 133420 Keywords: Child MarriageChild ProtectionForced MarriageGender-Based ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: Albertse, Lizelle Title: Gang members' experiences of victimization and perpetration of rape in prison Summary: People outside of prison tend to imagine sex in prison as violent gang attacks on defenceless individuals, but in actual fact, sex in prison is more complicated than the isolated gang rapes that take place. For the purpose of this study, the researcher followed the qualitative research approach from a constructivist perspective to understand how participants portrayed or constructed their experiences of victimization and/or perpetration of rape. The population of the study was members of the '28' prison gang with a history of sexual perpetration in prison. Participants for the study were male, released from prison, ages between 25 and 45 years of age. The researcher made use of purposive sampling in the selection of 15 participants. Data was collected through in depth, face to face interviews starting with open ended questions and probing for in depth experiences, interpretations and meanings. Data was analyzed according to Creswell's (1998:140) guidelines for qualitative data analysis and was verified as suggested by Creswell (1998:201). In order to explore the social context that might have influenced their constructions of experiences, the following question themes were identified: - Participant's experiences of family life - Participant's experiences of their involvement in crime - Participant's gang involvement in Corrective Institutions - Participant's experiences of forced sex in prison - Consequences of rape in prison after release Details: Cape Town, South Africa: University of the Western Cape, 2007. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed September 27, 2014 at: http://etd.uwc.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11394/2214/Albertse_MA_2007.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2007 Country: South Africa URL: http://etd.uwc.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11394/2214/Albertse_MA_2007.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 133455 Keywords: Prison GangsPrison Rape (South Africa)PrisonersSexual AbuseSexual Violence |
Author: Jejeebhoy, Shireen J. Title: Gender-based violence: A qualitative exploration of norms, experiences and positive deviance." Summary: India has articulated its commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls through numerous policies, laws and programmes (for example, the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women 2001, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, and the strategies outlined in the XIth Five-Year Plan). However, violence against women remains widespread. Nationally, one in three (35%) women aged 15-49 has experienced physical or sexual violence, in general, increasing to 56 percent among women in Bihar (International Institute for Population Sciences and Macro International, 2007). The key challenge underlying the gap between policy and programme commitments and realities is the limited evidence on both what drives violence against women and girls, and effective programme strategies that reduce such violence. With support from UK aid, the Population Council undertook formative research in the district of Patna to better understand the context of violence-physical, emotional and sexual-against women and girls, and notably, the prevailing norms about what constitutes acceptable violence in terms of severity and provocation, and gender norms about men's entitlement and women's acquiescence to violence. It compares the perceptions of women and girls with those of men and boys, respectively, with regard to the prevalence, severity and acceptability of violence committed against women and girls by husbands/boyfriends, family and community members, and looks into the likely factors that precipitate such violence. It also explores factors that may be associated with positive deviance, that is, the characteristics and motivations of nonviolent men. Finally, it explores the extent to which study participants were aware of programmes and entitlements intended to address violence against women and girls, and the obstacles they face in seeking help, and concludes with their recommendations regarding action that may be undertaken to reduce violence against women and girls in their community. Details: New Delhi: Population Council, 2013. 96p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 27, 2014 at: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/pdf/outputs/ORIE/Qualitative_report_Formative_Study_VAWG_Bihar_DFID_India.pdf Year: 2013 Country: India URL: http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/pdf/outputs/ORIE/Qualitative_report_Formative_Study_VAWG_Bihar_DFID_India.pdf Shelf Number: 133461 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (India) |
Author: Woodley, Alex Title: Working together to Prevent Family and Sexual Violence: Multi-sector Action Plans and Case Studies Summary: his literature review is aimed at outlining where New Zealand sits on matters of family and sexual violence - both in terms of impacts and in terms of current policies and programmes - and what steps we might take to address these issues. We particularly pay attention to the role that local government bodies such as the Auckland Council can play in addressing violence. Details: Auckland, NZ: Point Research Ltd, 2014. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 2, 2014 at: http://www.pointresearch.co.nz/Working_together_prevent_family_&_sexual_violence.pdf Year: 2014 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.pointresearch.co.nz/Working_together_prevent_family_&_sexual_violence.pdf Shelf Number: 133546 Keywords: Family Violence (New Zealand)Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Matczak, Anna Title: Review of Domestic Violence policies in England and Wales. Summary: Violence against women was recognised as a fundamental infringement of human rights in the 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and was a major topic at the 1995 Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women (UN Women, 1995). The serious consequences of domestic violence have also been recognised by the World Health Organisation (Krug et al. 2002). Over the past 30 years there have been major changes in the national policy and comprehension of domestic violence in the United Kingdom driven and in response to advocacy and campaigning by the women's movement and non-governmental organisations providing services to abused women (Harvin, 2006). In the shadow of policy developments, since the late 1980s, the criminal justice system, in particular the police service has been involved in configuring justice responses to the problem of domestic violence (ibid.). Responses followed in the health and social care services policy arena. Many government and non-government institutions started commissioning research on domestic violence and formulating policy recommendations. At the end of the 1990s two events had a particular influence on the development domestic violence policy in the United Kingdom; first, the increasing interest in aligning UK policies with the strategic objectives agreed in the Beijing Platform for Action (UN Women, 1995) to promote the human rights of women, and secondly New Labour taking power in England (1997) with a manifesto commitment to take forward policy development to combat domestic violence. During the period between 1997 and 2010, the main focus of policy and legislation on domestic violence was on implementing measures based on prevention, protection and justice and the provision of support for victims of domestic abuse, to be implemented by partnerships of service providers at local and national levels. Interestingly, in formulating policy, the government defined domestic violence in a gender-neutral way. Since 2010, following the election of a Coalition government (Conservatives and Liberal Democrats), there is a shift in policy direction with increased focus on a more broad gender-based agenda to "end violence against women and girls" (Home Office, 2010). Each of the four countries of the United Kingdom develops their own domestic violence strategy. Scottish policy is outlined in the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (2009), 'Safer Lives: Changed Lives a Shared Approach to Tackling Violence against Women in Scotland' and focuses on Prevention; Protection of victims; Provision of services and Participation of all agencies to ensure policy making and practice development around violence against women is informed by those who use domestic violence services. Recent initiatives in relation to domestic violence in Scotland are framed within meeting gender equality priorities. In Northern Ireland, the current strategy is set out in "Tackling Violence at Home - A Strategy for Addressing Domestic Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland" (DHSSPNI, 2005) and is supported by Action Plans up to 2012. In 2008 the Northern Ireland government published "Tackling Sexual Violence and Abuse - A Regional Strategy" (2008). These two strategies run in tandem and it planned that in March 2012 a joint Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Action Plan will be published taking forward actions on a collaborative basis. In 2005 the Welsh Assembly Government published its first national strategy Tackling Domestic Abuse: The All Wales National Strategy supported also by yearly action plans. This was superseded in 2010 with the publication of "The Right to be Safe" which is six year integrated strategy for tackling all forms of violence against women and has an increased focus ensuring that "the whole violence against women agenda is tackled effectively" (Welsh Assembly Government, 2010, p.3). This report details and focuses on England and aims to present the findings from the literature review of policy development and implementation in the last two decades in England. The development of national measures (legislation and policy) to combat domestic abuse is addressed chronologically. Responsibility for providing services to domestic violence victims is divided between a range of government bodies and other agencies featured in the report. Some of the obstacles in achieving an integrated domestic violence policy in England are highlighted. Details: London: Kingston University and St George's, University of London, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 2, 2014 at: http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/18868/1/Matczak-A-18868.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/18868/1/Matczak-A-18868.pdf Shelf Number: 133551 Keywords: Domestic Violence (U.K.)Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Phillips, Janet Title: Domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia: an overview of the issues Summary: Executive summary - The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the levels of violence experienced by the world's women as 'a global public health problem of epidemic proportions, requiring urgent action'. - In Australia, domestic, family and sexual violence is found across all cultures, ages and socio-economic groups, but the majority of those who experience these forms of violence are women. However, it is not possible to measure the true extent of the problem as most incidents of domestic, family and sexual violence go unreported. - The information available on the prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia is derived from surveys. The 2013 Australia-wide survey on personal safety conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that many men and women experience at least one encounter with violence in their lifetimes. The survey showed that men are far more likely to experience physical violence at the hands of a stranger but the majority of women experience physical violence by someone known to them-usually an intimate partner or family member. Both men and women are more likely to experience physical violence than sexual violence but women are much more likely to experience sexual assault in their lifetime than men. - The social and economic costs of violence against women are considerable. In 2009 the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (NCRVWC) estimated that violence against women and their children, including both domestic and non-domestic violence, cost the Australian economy $13.6 billion. - The Commonwealth Government is responsible for the over-arching government programs designed to reduce violence against women nationally. However, it is the state and territory governments that have the law enforcement responsibilities in relation to policing and prosecuting instances of domestic, family and sexual violence. - Reducing violence against women has been a priority for both Coalition and Labor governments for many years. The most recent Government initiative is the National Plan to reduce violence against women and their children (National Plan) endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2009. The National Plan set a framework for social change and proposed the introduction of sweeping changes between 2009 and 2021 to be implemented through a series of four three‐year action plans over 12 years. - The move towards better integrated, multi-agency responses and coordination across all levels of government through the National Plan has been received favourably by most stakeholders and is viewed as making significant progress in terms of reducing the levels of violence experienced by women in Australia. Details: Canberra: Parliamentary Library, 2014. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2014-15: Accessed October 16, 2014 at: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/3447585/upload_binary/3447585.pdf;fileType=application/pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/3447585/upload_binary/3447585.pdf;fileType=application/pdf Shelf Number: 133963 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Niemi, Johanna Title: Abuse of a victim of sex trade. Evaluation of the Finnish sex purchase ban Summary: The report explores the effectiveness of the offence 'abuse of a victim of sex trade', (Criminal Code, chapter 20 section 8). Enacted in 2006, this provision prohibits the purchasing of sex from a victim of human trafficking or procuring. It is complemented by section 7 of the Public Order Act, which prohibits the purchasing and the offering for sale and selling of sex in a public place. The report also explores the situation in the UK and Sweden. Sweden has had a comprehensive sex purchase ban in place since 1999. Information on the situation in Sweden is available in a report published in 2010 and the annual reports of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings. The relevant legislation in the UK as reformed in 2009 closely resembles the Finnish corresponding legislation. Because no study of the effectiveness of the British legislation has yet been conducted, interviews were conducted to gain a better picture. The situation in Finland was explored through statistics and register data, interviews with 18 experts and a review of court documents. Statistics show that between 2006 and 2013, a total of 379 cases of 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' were registered by the police. Charges were brought against 49 persons and tried. The district courts have sentenced 42 persons for 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' or an attempt thereof. The default fine has been established at 20 day-fines. Fines for purchasing and selling sex, pursuant to the Public Order Act, were imposed in 106 cases between 2003 and 2011. Most of these fines were imposed on the sellers. Investigating and proving 'abuse of a victim of sex trade' has turned out to be challenging. The report concludes with recommendations. Details: Helsinki: Finland Ministry of Justice, 2014. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 17, 2014 at: http://oikeusministerio.fi/material/attachments/om/julkaisut/FMVCU3esJ/OMSO_13_2014_Sex_136_s_korjattu.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Finland URL: http://oikeusministerio.fi/material/attachments/om/julkaisut/FMVCU3esJ/OMSO_13_2014_Sex_136_s_korjattu.pdf Shelf Number: 133740 Keywords: Human TraffickingProstitutesProstitutionSex TradeSex TraffickingSex Workers (Finland)Sexual ViolenceVictims of Crimes |
Author: Women's League of Burma Title: Same Impunity, Same Patterns: Sexual abuses by the Burma Army will not stop until there is a genuine civilian government Summary: Almost a decade ago, the Women's League of Burma (WLB) denounced systematic patterns of sexual crimes committed by the Burma Army against ethnic women and demanded an end to the prevailing system of impunity. Today WLB is renewing these calls. Three years after a nominally civilian government came to power; state-sponsored sexual violence continues to threaten the lives of women in Burma. Women of Burma endure a broad range of violations; this report focuses on sexual violence, as the most gendered crime. WLB and its member organizations have gathered documentation showing that over 100 women have been raped by the Burma Army since the elections of 2010. Due to restrictions on human rights documentation, WLB believes these are only a fraction of the actual abuses taking place. Most cases are linked to the military offensives in Kachin and Northern Shan States since 2011. The Kachin Women's Association Thailand (KWAT) documented that 59 women have been victims of acts of sexual violence committed by Burmese soldiers. The Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN) reports 30 cases of sexual violence involving 35 women and girls in the past three years. The incidence of rape correlates with the timing of conflict. These crimes are more than random, isolated acts by rogue soldiers. Their widespread and systematic nature indicates a structural pattern: rape is still used as an instrument of war and oppression. 47 cases were brutal gang rapes, several victims were as young as 8 years old and 28 of the women were either killed or died of their injuries. Over 38 different battalions are implicated in these cases, while several battalions are involved across multiple cases and timeframes, and the incidents took place in at least 35 different townships. These rapes cannot be explained away as a human impulse gone astray. The use of sexual violence in conflict is a strategy and an act of warfare that has political and economic dimensions that go beyond individual cases. In Burma, counterinsurgency tactics designate civilians in ethnic areas as potential threats. Sexual violence is used as a tool by the Burmese military to demoralize and destroy ethnic communities. Army officers are not only passively complicit in these sexual crimes but often perpetrators themselves. Combined with blatant impunity, soldiers are given a "license to rape", as SWAN highlighted in 2002. Several international treaties to which Burma is party, and other sources of international law applicable to Burma prohibit sexual violence; rape is also criminalized under Burma's penal code. But neither international nor domestic laws are enforced effectively. The systematic and widespread use of sexual violence by the Burma Army makes the abuses documented in this report potential war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law, requiring thorough independent investigation. It is high time for Burma's government to take responsibility and live up to the expectations the recent changes have created, to restore the dignity that women of Burma deserve. This can only be achieved through truth and justice for the violence women endure. It necessitates not only an immediate end to the violence, but also a deep reform of Burma's legal framework. Changing the 2008 Constitution, which gives the military the right to independently administer all its affairs, is the first step towards ensuring justice for the women of Burma. Judicial independence has to be guaranteed by the constitution, to allow for reform of the judicial system that will ensure its impartiality. The court-martial system, established by the Constitution to adjudicate all crimes committed by the military, has an unrestricted mandate and overly broad powers: it needs to be reformed to place the military under civilian judicial control. In both military and civilian jurisdictions, victims' access to justice has to be ensured through appropriate complaint mechanisms. At the moment, the National Human Rights Commission does not have the mandate, capacity and willingness to address serious human rights violations in an independent and transparent manner. If the government is serious about its commitments to address violence against women, it should acknowledge ongoing abuses against ethnic women, sign the recent international declaration for prevention of sexual violence in conflict, and adopt laws specifically aimed at protecting women from violence. Recent proposals set out concrete requirements for effective legal protection for women. In addition, the government needs to deeply change its political approach to the peace process, in order to make it a meaningful way to end abuses. Achieving sustainable peace and putting an end to abuses against women will not happen without women's representation in the political dialogue for peace. The fact that almost all the participants involved in the official peace process are male excludes critical perspectives on peace and conflict, and preserves structural gender inequality. Moreover, it is crucial that the upcoming political dialogue addresses past human rights violations as well as the role of the army. This includes accepting that, in a free country, the military is subject to civilian authorities representing the genuine will of the people. Unless and until the military is placed under civilian control through constitutional amendments, we will not see an end to militarized sexual violence. Details: Chiang Mai, Thailand: Women's League of Burma, 2014. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2014 at: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SameImpunitySamePattern_English-final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Burma URL: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SameImpunitySamePattern_English-final.pdf Shelf Number: 133741 Keywords: Gang RapesMilitaryRape (Burma)Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Greene, Margaret Eleanor Title: A Girl's Right to Learn Without Fear: Working to End-Gender-Based Violence at School Summary: Education is a fundamental human right for every child but it is too often denied, especially to girls. Plan Canada's latest report, A Girl's Right to Learn Without Fear, produced in partnership with the University of Toronto's International Human Rights Program, and in collaboration with the Canadian Women's Foundation, Native Women's Association of Canada, and White Ribbon Campaign, finds that gender-based violence is a major and critical factor threatening the education of children, and particularly girls, in many countries of the world, including Canada. School-related gender-based violence School-related gender-based violence refers to acts of sexual, physical or psychological violence inflicted on children in and around schools because of stereotypes and roles or norms attributed to or expected of them because of their sex or gender identity. There are immediate and long-term consequences of school-related gender-based violence including health consequences (STDs, HIV infection, unwanted early pregnancies); psychological suffering; poor performance at school; absenteeism; and high dropout rates. - Between 500 million and 1.5 billion children experience violence every year, many in and around the institutions we trust most: our schools. - The World Health Organization ranked Canada as one of the worst countries for its bullying victimization rates. Canada was ranked 27th out of 35 comparable countries - Nearly a quarter of Canadian girls and, at least 15% of boys, have experienced sexual violence before they reach 16. - Female victims of sexual harassment report a loss of interest in school activities, increased absenteeism, lower grades, and increased tardiness and truancy. Ending the violence While violence against children is unjustifiable, it is also preventable. Therefore, the report also focuses on solutions with recommendations for all governments, including Canada's, to put an end to violence against children, with a special focus on girls. The report does not just highlight problems, but is focused on solutions drawn from the experiences of countries leading on these issues. It includes specific recommendations for the Canadian government that are consistent with recent observations on Canada made by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Details: Toronto: Plan Canada, 2012. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed October 20, 2014 at: https://plancanada.ca/document.doc?id=325 Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: https://plancanada.ca/document.doc?id=325 Shelf Number: 133781 Keywords: Gender-Based Violence (Canada)School Based ViolenceSchool BullyingSchool CrimeSchool ViolenceSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceViolence Against Girls |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "Those Terrible Weeks in their Camp". Boko Haram Violence against Women and Girls in Northeast Nigeria Summary: In April 2014, the Islamist group Boko Haram abducted 276 female students from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, in Nigeria's northeast. The group has abducted more than 500 women and girls from Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States since 2009. Based field research in northeast Nigeria and Abuja, the capital city, including interviews with women and girls who escaped abduction or were freed from captivity, social workers, journalists, religious leaders, civil society workers, state and federal government officials, and witnesses of abductions, "Those Terrible Weeks in their Camp" documents how Boko Haram targets women and girls. The report highlights the harrowing experiences of some of the abducted women and girls, many of whom have endured physical and psychological abuse, forced conversions, coerced marriages, forced labor, sexual violence and rape. To ensure accountability, the report calls on Nigerian authorities to investigate and prosecute, based on international fair trial standards, those who committed serious crimes in violation of international law, including Boko Haram, members of the security forces and pro-government vigilante groups. In addition, the government should provide adequate measures to protect schools and the right to education, and ensure access to medical and mental health services to victims of abduction and other violence. The government should also ensure that hospitals and clinics treating civilian victims of Boko Haram atrocities are equipped with medical supplies to treat survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Details: New York: HRW, 2014. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/nigeria1014web.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Nigeria URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/nigeria1014web.pdf Shelf Number: 133881 Keywords: AbductionBoko HaramGender-Based ViolenceKidnappingRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against GirlsViolence Against Women (Nigeria) |
Author: Heisecke, Karin Title: Ending Violence against Women and Girls: The world's best laws and policies Summary: In 2014, the Future Policy Award celebrates laws and policies that contribute to ending one of the most pervasive human rights violations: violence against women and girls. One in three women worldwide suffers some form of violence in her lifetime. By restricting women's choices and limiting their ability to act, the persistence of violence against women has serious consequences for peace and security, economic development and poverty reduction. Thus, it hampers all efforts towards a future just society. International experts from academia, civil society and international organisations have nominated twenty-five policies from around the world which were implemented to improve the lives of women. Together, they reflect the broad scope of existing policy responses at local, national and transnational levels. It is important to acknowledge that violence against women and girls is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality and, in order to end it, a transformation of gender relations towards a more gender just society is necessary. This cannot be achieved through any single law or policy: the winners of the Future Policy Award provide inspiration for specific "parts of the puzzle" of a range of policy measures that can together lead to an end of violence against women and girls. Our analysis and the Jury's decision on the winners have provided important insights into the key elements of best laws and policies in this field. We have summarised them in the section "key recommendations". Details: Hamburg, German: World Future Council, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2014 at: http://worldfuturecouncil.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Future_Policy_Award/FPA_2014/fpa2014_brochure_en_final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://worldfuturecouncil.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Future_Policy_Award/FPA_2014/fpa2014_brochure_en_final.pdf Shelf Number: 133940 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence against Women and Girls |
Author: McCallion, Gail Title: Sexual Violence at Institutions of Higher Education Summary: In recent years, a number of high-profile incidents of sexual violence at institutions of higher education (IHEs) have heightened congressional and administration scrutiny of the policies and procedures that IHEs currently have in place to address campus sexual violence and how these policies and procedures can be improved. Campus sexual violence is widely acknowledged to be a problem. However, reported data on the extent of sexual violence at IHEs varies considerably across studies for a variety of methodological and other reasons. Victims of sexual violence may suffer from a range of physical and mental health conditions including injuries, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidality, and substance abuse. College students who are the victims of sexual violence may experience a decline in academic performance, and they may drop out, leave school, or transfer. Currently, there are two federal laws that address sexual violence on college campuses: the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act, P.L. 101-542) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX, P.L. 92-318). These two statutes differ in significant respects, including in their purpose, coverage, enforcement, and remedies. The Clery Act requires all public and private IHEs that participate in the student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA, P.L. 89-329) of 1965 to track crimes in and around their campuses and to report these data to their campus community and to the Department of Education (ED). EDs Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office oversees educational institutions compliance with Title IV student financial aid requirements, including requirements related to the Clery Act. In this role, FSA conducts program reviews of IHEs compliance with student aid and Clery provisions. Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Under Title IX, sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, is a form of unlawful sex discrimination. Unlike the Clery Act, whose coverage is limited to IHEs that receive student financial aid funds under the HEA, Title IX is applicable to recipients of any type of federal education funding, including any public or private elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school that receives such funds. Although each federal agency enforces Title IX compliance among its own recipients, ED, which administers the vast majority of federal education programs, is the primary agency conducting administrative enforcement of Title IX. Such enforcement by EDs Office for Civil Rights (OCR) may occur as part of a routine compliance audit or in response to a complaint filed by an individual. Members of Congress have been actively involved in seeking ways to improve how IHEs respond to, investigate, and adjudicate incidents of campus sexual violence. Several bills that would strengthen existing laws pertaining to campus sexual violence have been introduced during the 113th Congress. In January 2014, the Obama Administration established a White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. In April 2014, the Task Force issued its first reportNot Alone and created a website that addresses campus sexual violence. Among other things, the report included an extensive list of actions that the Administration will take (or has already taken) to address campus sexual violence. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2014. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS R43764: Accessed November 3, 2014 at: http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43764.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43764.pdf Shelf Number: 133948 Keywords: Campus Crimes (U.S.)Clery ActColleges and UniversitiesRapeSexual AssaultsSexual Violence |
Author: Vetten, Lisa Title: Rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa Summary: The high rate of rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa has sparked concern and outrage, leading to law reform, parliamentary debates, marches and campaigns. It has also led to a range of policy interventions intended to reduce the number of people who fall victim to these crimes. This policy brief summarises available information about the nature and extent of sexual violence in South Africa. It also describes some efforts to address the problem. However, it does not focus extensively on child sexual abuse - this being a topic in its own right. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2014. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief 72: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief72.pdf Year: 2014 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/PolBrief72.pdf Shelf Number: 134075 Keywords: Rape (South Africa)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: World Health Organization Title: Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014 Summary: Despite indications that homicide rates decreased by 16% globally between 2000 and 2012, violence remains widespread. Released today, the "Global status report on violence prevention 2014" reveals that 475 000 people were murdered in 2012. Homicide is the third leading cause of death globally for males aged 15-44 years. These facts highlight the importance of creating more decisive action to prevent violence. Jointly published today by WHO, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the report indicates that: only one third of the 133 countries surveyed are implementing large-scale initiatives to prevent violence, such as bullying prevention programmes, visits by nurses to families at risk, and support to those who care for older people; just over half the countries are fully enforcing a set of 12 laws generally acknowledged to prevent violence, although 80% of countries have enacted them; only half of all countries have services in place to protect and support victims of violence The "Global status report on violence prevention 2014" is the first report of its kind to assess national efforts to address interpersonal violence, namely child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner and sexual violence, and elder abuse. Individual country profiles reflect the extent to which key violence prevention programmes and laws and selected services for victims of violence are being implemented. Details: Geneva, SWIT: WHO, 2014. 292p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2014 at: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/status_report/2014/en/ Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/status_report/2014/en/ Shelf Number: 134305 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentElder AbuseHomicidesInterpersonal ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolenceViolence PreventionViolent CrimeYouth Violence |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: License to Harm: Violence and Harassment against LGBT People and Activists in Russia Summary: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has become the target of physical violence and everyday harassment. In the past two years there has been a surge of attacks by individuals and vigilante groups against LGBT people and activists. Russian law enforcement agencies appear to lack the will to take homophobic violence seriously and have done little to hold assailants accountable. This inaction has perpetuated the cycle of discrimination, harassment, and violence. In June 2013 Russia effectively entrenched legalized discrimination against LGBT people by adopting a federal law - the anti-LGBT "propaganda" law - banning distribution of information in the presence of children about LGBT relationships. License to Harm: Violence and Harassment against LGBT People and Activists in Russia documents the spread of homophobic and transphobic violence and everyday harassment against LGBT people and activists in the lead-up to and since the adoption of the 2013 anti-LGBT law. The report is based on dozens of interviews with LGBT people and activists from 16 cities and towns in Russia. Human Rights Watch deplores the wholly inadequate efforts by Russian law enforcement to effectively investigate anti-LGBT violence and curb its spread. Human Rights Watch urges Russian authorities to address the escalation of anti-LGBT violence in the country, prosecute homophobic attacks as hate crimes, and repeal the anti-LGBT "propaganda" law. Details: New York: HRW, 2014. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 15, 2015 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/russia1214_ForUpload_2.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Russia URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/russia1214_ForUpload_2.pdf Shelf Number: 134404 Keywords: Bias-Motivated CrimesGays, Crime Against Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals, Crime AgainstHate CrimesHomophobic Violence (Russia)Sexual DiscriminationSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Title: Family Violence in Canada: A statistical profile, 2013 Summary: Section 1 Overview of family violence - In 2013, police reported that there were 87,820 victims of family violence in Canada. This represents a rate of 252.9 victims of family violence for every 100,000 individuals in the population. In comparison, the rate of victimization for violent crimes that were not family-related was 712.8 per 100,000 population. - Spousal violence was the most common form of family violence in 2013, with nearly half (48%) of family violence occurring at the hands of a current or former spouse (married or common law). - Following spousal violence, victimization by a parent was the next most common form of police-reported family violence, representing 17% of family violence victims. - In 2013, more than two-thirds (68%) of all family violence victims were female. - The risk of family violence varies with age and overall, tends to be lowest for seniors, followed by young children (9 years and under), and highest for adults in their 30s. While this pattern was generally similar for male and female victims, female rates of family violence peaked at age 30 to 34, whereas for males, rates were highest from age 15 to 19. - Common assault was the most frequent form of family violence reported to police, experienced by over half (58%) of victims, followed by intimidation offences (17%), such as criminal harassment, indecent telephone calls or uttering threats. - More than half (55%) of family violence victims suffered no physical injury. For those that sustained injuries, the vast majority of these injuries were minor, calling for no professional medical treatment or first aid only. When injuries were sustained, they were much more likely the result of the use of physical force (84%) against the victim, rather than the use of a weapon (16%). - Charges were laid more often in police-reported family violence incidents (56%) than in violent incidents that were not family-related (46%). - Trend data indicate that police-reported incidents of family violence have decreased in recent years. From 2009 to 2013, rates for the most prevalent form of police-reported family violence, physical assault, dropped 14%, spousal victimization declined 17% and incidents involving other family members fell 10%. - Rates of homicides committed by family members continue to fall for both male and female victims. Family-related physical and sexual assaults have also declined modestly in recent years. Section 2 Intimate partner violence - In 2013, there were more than 90,300 victims of police-reported violence by an intimate partner (including spousal and dating partners) accounting for over one quarter of all police-reported victims of violent offences. - Dating violence accounted for 53% of police-reported incidents of intimate partner violence, while spousal violence represented 47%. - As with violent crime in general, adults in their twenties and thirties experienced the greatest risk of violent victimization by an intimate partner. In particular, rates of intimate partner violence were highest among 20- to 24-year olds. - Similar to previous years, common assault (level 1) was the most frequent type of police-reported intimate partner violence. Major assault (levels 2 and 3), uttering threats and criminal harassment were the next most frequent offences. - Charges were laid or recommended in the majority (71%) of intimate partner violence incidents reported to police. - Rates of intimate partner homicide have remained stable in recent years. In 2013, the rate of homicides committed against a female intimate partner stood at 3.74 per million population. The rate of intimate partner homicide was 4.5 times higher for female victims than for male victims. - Between 2009 and 2013, the rate of the most prevalent form of police-reported intimate partner violence, common assault (level 1), fell 11%. Section 3 Family violence against children and youth - According to police-reported data for 2013, about 16,700 children and youth, or 243.5 for every 100,000 Canadians under the age of 18, were the victims of family-related violence. This represented over one-quarter (29%) of all children and youth who were the victims of a violent crime. - Physical assault was the most common type of police-reported family violence against children and youth. Sexual offences were the second most common type of police-reported family violence against children and youth. - Parents (60%) were the family members most often accused of violence against children and youth, especially in incidents involving children under the age of four. - The rate of police-reported family violence committed against children and youth tends to increase with age of the victim. However, when younger children (i.e., under the age of four) were victimized, they were more likely to be victimized by a family member. - Overall, homicides against children and youth are relatively rare. When they do occur, unlike with other types of family violence, familial homicides were more common among younger age groups, with children under the age of one at greatest risk. - Girls were more likely than boys to be victims of police-reported family violence, especially sexual assault. In 2013, the overall rate of police-reported family violence victimization for girls was 1.5 times higher (298.2 per 100,000) than the rate for boys (191.5 per 100,000); and the rate of sexual victimization by a family member was four times higher for girls (125.0 per 100,000) compared to boys (30.2 per 100,000). - Physical injuries were reported for about 4 in 10 victims of family violence against children and youth; the vast majority of these were minor, requiring no medical treatment or requiring first aid. - Charges were laid in less than half (45%) of family violence incidents against children and youth, compared to 59% of police-reported family violence involving adult victims aged 18 years and over. Section 4 Family violence against seniors - Seniors represented a relatively small proportion of all family violence victims, out 3%, and had lower rates of family violence than any other age group. - Rates of police-reported family violence are generally highest among younger seniors and gradually decline with age. - In 2013, the police-reported rate of family violence for senior women (62.7 per 100,000) was higher (+26%) than the rate for senior men (49.7 per 100,000). Nevertheless, the difference between female and male rates of family violence among seniors is notably smaller than the gap observed between the sexes for younger victims. - Similar to previous years, family members made up one-third of those accused in police-reported incidents of violent crime against seniors (aged 65 and over) in 2013, with just over 2,900 seniors (56.8 victims per 100,000 seniors) victimized by a family member that year. In total, nearly 8,900 (173.9 victims per 100,000 seniors) of persons aged 65 and over were the victims of a violent crime in Canada in 2013. - Senior victims of family violence were most likely to be victimized by their own adult children. About 4 in 10 senior victims of police-reported family violence indicated that the accused was their grown child; spouses (28%) were the second most likely family members to be identified as perpetrators of family violence against seniors. - Common assault accounted for more than half (55%) of violence committed against seniors by family members. Weapons were involved in fewer than one in six (15%) family violence incidents against senior victims. Most incidents (85%) involved the use of physical force or threats. - A majority (61%) of senior victims of family violence did not sustain physical injuries. Among those who were injured, most sustained minor injuries requiring little or no medical attention (e.g., some first aid). - Family violence against seniors that escalates to homicide continues to be rare. In 2013, the overall rate of family-related homicides was 3.2 for every 1 million persons aged 65 and over. Details: Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, 2015. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat vol. 34, no. 1: Accessed January 21, 2015 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2014001/article/14114-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2014001/article/14114-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 134432 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectCrime StatisticsCriminal VictimizationElder Abuse and NeglectFamily Violence (Canada)Gender-Related ViolenceHomicidesInterpersonal ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceSpouse Abuse |
Author: Smith, Brenda V. Title: Addressing Sexual Violence Against Youth in Custody: Youth Workers' Handbook on Identifying and Addressing Sexual Violence in Juvenile Justice Settings Summary: Sexual abuse in custody can and often does have lifelong effects on youth. Youth who are sexually abused or experience sexual violence can suffer higher rates of drug use, have disproportionate contact with the criminal justice system into adulthood, become victimizers, and/or have higher rates of mental illness than youth who do not suffer sexual abuse. In addition, sexual abuse by staff or other youth in custody compromises safety and security as well as the overall mission of juvenile justice systems-to protect and rehabilitate youth. According to the American Medical Association, youth who are the victims of sexual abuse may experience chronic depression, low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, and multiple personalities. One-fifth of all victims develop serious long-term psychological effects, including dissociative responses, posttraumatic stress disorder, nightmares, flashbacks, disease, and anxiety. This may be magnified for youth abused in custodial settings. Preventing sexual abuse of youth in custody should be an ongoing effort involving partners from all juvenile sectors-advocates, staff, judges, prosecutors, social service providers, and families. Sexual abuse of youth in custody is a problem that occurs in community facilities and detention centers. Sexual abuse in custody affects youth, administration and staff at all levels, as well as outside stakeholders such as youth advocates, law enforcement, the legislature, families, and the community at large. It has legal consequences as well as long-lasting emotional, mental and physical health, and economic effects. This handbook aims to educate juvenile justice professionals about the following: - Why juvenile justice professionals should be concerned about sexual abuse of youth in custody. - How culture and environment contribute to sexual abuse of youth in custody. - Tools that will help identify, address, and respond to sexual abuse of youth in custody. - How to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of youth in custody. - Useful legal tools for prosecuting sexual abuse of youth in custody. - Preventive measures for juvenile justice agencies. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2013. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 29, 2015 at: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/026309.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/026309.pdf Shelf Number: 134487 Keywords: Inmate Sexual AssaultJuvenile InmatesPrison RapeSexual Abuse (U.S.)Sexual ViolenceYouth in Custody |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Escape from Hell: Torture and Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq Summary: As they swept through large parts of northern Iraq, fighters with the armed group calling itself "Islamic State" (IS) systematically targeted members of non-Arab and non-Sunni Muslim communities, as well as Sunni Muslims who oppose them. But even within the context of its persecution of minority groups and Shi'a Muslims, the IS has singled out the Yezidi minority, notably its women and children, for particularly brutal treatment. In August 2014, IS fighters abducted hundreds, possibly thousands, of Yezidi men, women and children who were fleeing the IS takeover from the Sinjar region, in the north-west of the country. Hundreds of the men were killed and others were forced to convert to Islam under threat of death. Younger women and girls, some as young as 12, were separated from their parents and older relatives and sold, given as gifts or forced to marry IS fighters and supporters. Many have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, and have likewise been pressured into converting to Islam. Up to 300 of those abducted, mostly women and children, have managed to escape IS captivity, while the majority continue to be held in various locations in Iraq and in parts of Syria controlled by the IS. They are moved frequently from place to place. Some are able to communicate with their displaced relatives in areas outside IS control but the fate and whereabouts of others are not known. Some of the women and girls who have escaped IS captivity, as well as some of those who remain captive, have given harrowing accounts to Amnesty International of the torture and abuses they have suffered. Details: London: AI, 2014. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 9, 2015 at: https://www.es.amnesty.org/uploads/media/Escape_from_hell_-_Torture_and_sexual_slavery_in_Islamic_State_captivity_in_Iraq_-_English.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Iraq URL: https://www.es.amnesty.org/uploads/media/Escape_from_hell_-_Torture_and_sexual_slavery_in_Islamic_State_captivity_in_Iraq_-_English.pdf Shelf Number: 134581 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Iraq) |
Author: Carmody, Moira Title: Less to lose and more to gain? Men and Boys Violence Prevention Research Project Final Report, Summary: Violence against women is a costly personal and social issue that has far reaching and long term impacts across the whole Australian community. Primary prevention takes these factors seriously and aims to intervene to prevent intimate partner violence and sexual violence before they occur. Our research found considerable interest at a state and national level in engaging men and boys in violence against women (VAW) primary prevention. The study findings indicate that VAW primary prevention is still in the early stages of development both in Australia and internationally. Effective intervention is acknowledged as more likely to occur if actions are taken at multiple levels within the community. This requires action at policy levels as well as within communities or organisations and at the local level of service provision. The survey that was undertaken for this study of prevention agencies and programs found a significant clustering of prevention efforts in Victoria and NSW with work also being undertaken in Queensland. Students at high school and university were the most common targets of primary prevention efforts, with adolescence and early adulthood recognised as key periods for VAW perpetration and victimisation. Other programs identified in our study worked specifically with Indigenous communities, CALD communities and sports organisations. Most stakeholders described their programs as underpinned by a gendered, ecological model of VAW that understands violence as a product of gender inequity and gender norms. The findings from surveys and interviews indicate that a coherent and identifiable field of prevention practice focused specifically on men and boys has yet to emerge in Australia. Activities in the field are piecemeal, ad hoc and dispersed. There is no peak organisation that provides support to areas of emerging practice except in relation to men's behaviour change programs (i.e. perpetrator programs). Primary prevention activities are scarce as well as programs focused on boys or men specific activities. Despite these findings, there are areas of prevention activity focusing on men and boys that indicate promising practice. These include programs and activities such as: respectful relationships education, bystander strategies, community development approaches, whole of organisation approaches, infant and parenting programs and social marketing. The strongest finding emerging from our research is that best practice in engaging men and boys occurs in two key areas of primary prevention: - Community strengthening and development; and, - Organisational and workforce development. Section 5 of the report provides a detailed evaluation of 2 programs that demonstrate these approaches. They are the Strong Aboriginal Men Program (SAM) and the NRL Respectful Relationship Sex & Ethics Program. These two programs share the primary prevention goal of preventing violence before it occurs as well as other important similarities, in particular: - They are underpinned by a gendered analysis of violence against women; - They involve working specifically or mainly with men; - They emerge from and are supported by organisations with significant experience and expertise in violence against women; and, - They engage men in multi-systemic change including at the community or organisational level. While both programs have been developed in response to men and boys in specific settings they are potentially adaptable and replicable in other settings. The knowledge gained from the design and implementation of the SAM program could be applied well to working with CALD communities and emerging refugee settings. The NRL program has many key features that can be used by diverse sporting codes and with other male workforce based programs. Both programs therefore demonstrate a potential for reach and influence beyond their immediate program base. This is important to enhance further primary prevention activities and in addressing long term cost effectiveness. Primary prevention is both a short and long term investment in challenging deep seated practices. Without a clear commitment and investment in policies and programs focused on intervening before violence occurs, personal and financial costs will continue to grow leading to increased tertiary sector expenditure. Leadership is needed within organisations and across our diverse communities to promote policies and practices that build on existing international evidence to progress primary prevention of VAW. In particular, attending to the following issues will increase engagement by men and boys in the prevention of VAW: - Addressing the role of gender in VAW in a manner that is relevant and boys and men can understand - Utilising educators who men and boys can relate to as role models will increase their willingness to 'hear' violence prevention messages - Recognising that masculinities are diverse, fluid and sometimes contradictory within individuals, groups and communities - Experiences of masculinity are effected by class, location, ethnicity, cultural background, sexuality and other factors; there is no 'one size fits all' experience - This has implications for ensuring educational programs and other prevention activities are tailored to the specific needs of men; for example using methods of education that Indigenous men can relate to - Engaging men and boys in the contexts and institutions in which they live, work and play may assist in enhancing the relevance of VAW prevention. Details: Sydney: University of Western Sydney: 2014. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 23, 2015 at: http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0019/300619/PDF_2_Final_Report_Men_and_Boys.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 134662 Keywords: Abusive Men and BoysCrime Prevention ProgramsEducational ProgramsFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Australia)Violence Prevention Programs |
Author: Higgs, Tamsin Title: Towards Identification of the Sexual Homicide Perpetrator Summary: A 'continuum' conceptualisation of sexual offending has been proposed (e.g Oliver et al., 2005; Proulx, Cusson, & Beauregard, 2005; Salfati & Taylor, 2006) where circumstantial violence determines whether the outcome of a sexual assault is fatal. However, so far research has failed to distinguish those sexual homicide offenders for whom homicide was a sexually motivated act, from those who killed their victim(s) incidentally, or in order to evade capture. This study identified a group of sexual homicide offenders who committed acts of post-mortem interference, which is suggestive of a sexual motivation for the killing. This group was compared to a group of offenders convicted of sexual assault, to determine whether there were any differences between them, in crime scene and psychological characteristics. The adult male sample consisted of 48 non-serial post-mortem interference sexual homicide offenders whose victims were females aged 14 years or over, and 48 convicted sexual offenders whose offences did not result in homicide, all of whom had participated in the UK Prison Service Sexual Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP). Both samples were identified from information relating to convictions between 1954 and 2012. Details: London: National Offender Management Service and Ministry of Justice, 2015. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: Analytical Summary: Accessed February 26, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406956/towards-identification-of-sexual-homicide-perpetrator.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406956/towards-identification-of-sexual-homicide-perpetrator.pdf Shelf Number: 134674 Keywords: HomicideSex Offenders (U.K.)Sexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Carter, Adam Title: The Use of Crime Scene and Demographic Information in the Identification of Sexual Homicides Summary: It is often the case that those convicted of sexual offences find it difficult to discuss their offending and those who have committed a sexual homicide can be particularly reluctant to talk about their criminal behaviour. As a result, forensic practitioners frequently rely upon crime scene information to identify any sexual behaviour associated with a homicide. The study aimed to look for discernable patterns and victim and perpetrator characteristics that may serve to delineate sexual homicide without relying on disclosure from the perpetrators of the crime. A second aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the majority of sexual homicide cases can be captured using Ressler, Burgess, and Douglas's (1988) definition of sexual homicide. A sample of 65 sexual killers and 64 cases of men convicted between 1966 and 2005, of what were considered on the basis of available evidence to be non-serial, non-sexual homicides were used. Details: London: National Offender Management Service and Ministry of Justice, 2015. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: Analytical Summary: Accessed February 26, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406945/crime-scene-and-demographic-information-in-sexual-homicides.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 134676 Keywords: HomicidesSex Offenders (U.K.)Sexual Violence |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: Research into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence: Interim report Summary: This interim report outlines the progress of the ongoing research into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence in England, being conducted by The International Centre for the Study of Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People and The Vauxhall Centre for the Study of Crime within the Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR) at the University of Bedfordshire. The research into children and young people-s experiences of gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence is exploring: - The scale and nature of the issue in the specific areas of England under study; - Pathways into gang-associated sexual exploitation and sexual violence for young people living in these gang-affected neighbourhoods; and - Potential models of response. The research is being conducted over the two-year period of the OCC Inquiry (Autumn 2011 to Autumn 2013). It has a narrower focus than the Inquiry, considering only those forms of sexual exploitation and sexual violence occurring in or related to gangs, as defined below. As the prevalence and nature of such gangs varies significantly across the country, exposure to these issues also varies significantly for young people living in different communities and locales. Fieldwork is being undertaken in six different areas of England with differing gang histories and experiences. The identity of the research sites is not being released in order to protect potential participants; they do however reflect a broad range of experiences and different demographic profiles. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2012. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2015: http://www.lscbchairs.org.uk/sitedata/files/University_of_Bedfordshire.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.lscbchairs.org.uk/sitedata/files/University_of_Bedfordshire.pdf Shelf Number: 134986 Keywords: Gangs (U.K.)Sexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Redress Title: Redress for Rape. Using international jurisprudence on rape as a form of torture or other ill-treatment Summary: Rape is an egregious crime with devastating consequences for victims. However, until relatively recently it has not been the subject of serious attention within the international human rights law framework. Rape - at both the domestic and international level - was traditionally largely invisible, or trivialised as a "private matter", an unfortunate incident, the result of a woman's careless conduct, or the inevitable result of war. As such, it was not cast as the responsibility of states, was rarely addressed in international human rights discourse, and was not to be found explicitly within the human rights violations prohibited by the core international conventions adopted during the course of the twentieth century. The past two decades have seen a significant normative change in this area. It is now clearly established at the international level that rape is a crime of the highest order, that states do have the responsibility to prevent and respond to it, whoever commits it, and that survivors of rape are entitled to the same level of protection and response as any other victim of violence. This normative change has started to have an impact in achieving accountability in some high profile individual cases, has increased scrutiny by international human rights bodies on the practices of states, and may have helped to improve responses of authorities in some jurisdictions. However the reality is that rape continues on a massive scale, and the majority of victims of rape around the world - both women and men - face almost insurmountable barriers to justice. This report hopes to provide a useful resource for those seeking to build upon these developments, helping to translate them into change for individuals and communities. It does so by focusing on one strategy which has been fruitfully used both to bring rape within the international legal framework, and to seek justice in individual cases: making the link between rape and torture and other prohibited ill-treatment. Details: London: Redress, 2013. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2015 at: http://www.redress.org/downloads/publications/FINAL%20Rape%20as%20Torture%20(1).pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.redress.org/downloads/publications/FINAL%20Rape%20as%20Torture%20(1).pdf Shelf Number: 135000 Keywords: RapeRape and WarSexual ViolenceTortureVictims of Crime |
Author: Young Women's Empowerment Project Title: Denied help! How youth in the sex trade and street economy are turned awary from systems meant to help us and what we are doing to fight back Summary: Why we started this research: We decided to do this research to show that we are not just objects that violence happens to - but that we are active participants in fighting back and bouncing back. We wanted to move away from the one-dimensional view of girls in the sex trade as only victims and look at all aspects of the situation: violence, our response to the violence, and how we fight back and heal on a daily basis. We build our community by figuring out how we can and do fight back collectively and the role of resilience in keeping girls strong enough to resist. Our research shows that girls in the sex trade face harm from both individuals and institutions. Nearly all the research we could find about girls in the sex trade only looks at individual violence. Many people seem to think that more institutions or social service systems is the solution. YWEP agrees that institutions can be helpful at times, but we also wanted to show the reality that we face: every day, girls are denied access to systems due to participation in the sex trade, being drug users, identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or being undocumented. We know institutions and social services can and do cause harm in our lives. We present this research to show that the systems that claim to help girls are also causing harm. We want to show that girls in the sex trade are fighting back and healing on their own - within their communities and without relying upon systems. Details: Chicago: Young Women's Empowerment Project, 2012. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2015 at: https://ywepchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bad-encounter-line-report-20121.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://ywepchicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bad-encounter-line-report-20121.pdf Shelf Number: 135075 Keywords: ProstitutesProstitutionRapeSex TradeSex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Saferworld Title: "How can you be a marda if you beat your wife?" Notions of masculinities and violence in Eastern Nepal Summary: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains one of the biggest safety and security challenges in Nepal. Many programmes and policies seeking to reduce and prevent SGBV focus on the needs and rights of girls and women. However, there is a very limited understanding of the role of masculinities in the contexts, and whether and how they link to violence, particularly SGBV. Saferworld, in collaboration with The Society Touch and Youth Development Centre, with funding from the Foundation to Promote Open Society, has carried out participatory learning research in selected districts in Eastern Nepal, exploring notions of masculinities among young men and boys, how these notions shape their relationships towards others, and young men's experiences and attitudes towards violence, including SGBV. The research process had a strong focus on allowing learning and reflection among the participants. Our findings show that young men feel huge pressures and frustrations negotiating their positions in society. The tension between expectations and what is achievable give rise to complicated responses in young men as they live lives in an uncertain and changing context. The research also shows that the association of violence, including SGBV, with masculinities needs to be approached with great care. Most respondents did not see violence, including SGBV, as a part of the masculinity they would aspire to. However, they did see various forms of violence as a consequence of certain situations, pressures and expectations from society, which are themselves in part created by ideas of masculinity. Our research findings led to several recommendations, including: - Men are part of the gender equation, and young men can and should be effectively involved in efforts to address gender inequality and SGBV. Effectiveness might increase by bringing men, women and sexual and gender minorities (SGM) together, rather than working with one gender group in isolation. - Further efforts are required to reduce social stigmatisation of survivors of sexual violence, who are often blamed for inviting sexual violence upon themselves, and to address their needs. All forms of SGBV, including against SGM, need to be challenged, including 'eve-teasing' and sexual harassment through mobile phones and social media. - Security provision and implementation of legislation that prohibits sexual harassment and other forms of SGBV should be strengthened, and security providers and other agencies should be enabled to address SGBV in a more proactive and gender-sensitive way. Details: Kathmandu: Saferworld, 2014. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/836-ldquohow-can-you-be-a-marda-if-you-beat-your-wiferdquo Year: 2014 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/836-ldquohow-can-you-be-a-marda-if-you-beat-your-wiferdquo Shelf Number: 135260 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women (Nepal) |
Author: Carter, Adam Title: Factors Indicative of Fantasy Disclosure by Sexual Homicide Perpetrators: An Exploratory Study Summary: Sexual fantasy has been identified as an important characteristic in theories of sexual homicide, while forensic practitioners may seek to determine whether sexual fantasy played a role in a sexual killing. Thus, fantasy can be integral to case formulation and identifying treatment targets as part of rehabilitative efforts to reduce the risk of recidivism. However, perpetrators of sexual homicides can be reluctant to talk about their fantasies due to concerns that this will raise their level of risk and prevent progression. The current research reports on two studies using the same sample. The aim of the first study was to consider the presence or absence of characteristics of perpetrators of non-serial sexual killing and whether or not there was evidence that the perpetrator had disclosed deviant fantasy. The second study aimed to determine whether or not the disclosure of fantasy could be predicted using factors identified in the first study. A sample of 100 life sentenced men convicted of homicide who had committed a non-serial sexual killing (those offenders who had killed one or two people) was used to facilitate knowledge of the factors that could indicate whether sexual fantasy needs to be considered to understand a sexual homicide. Key findings-- - A number of significant differences were found between perpetrators that had or had not disclosed fantasies according to childhood behaviour (e.g. bed wetting), offence characteristics (e.g. attacked with sexual intention), adult characteristics (e.g. in a relationship/married at time to offence) and crime scene behaviour (e.g. taking weapon to crime scene). - Several perpetrator variables - such as not the youngest of siblings, problems relating to preferred gender after age 12 years, taking a weapon to the crime scene - were significant predictors of whether the perpetrator disclosed offence related fantasy. - The findings indicate that aspects of upbringing and childhood experience could promote or foster reversions to deviant fantasy, as well as factors that could be a symptom of reliance on such fantasies. - Forensic practitioners carrying out assessments could use findings from this study to act as a signal to suggest that a perpetrator who is not disclosing offence related fantasy is possibly not being completely open about the issue. - Whilst further research is required, the findings from this study make steps towards identifying indicators for determining that deviant fantasy could be relevant to the individual concerned, and to identify sexual killers who disclose fantasy as a separate group of sexual killers from perpetrators who kill for other reasons. Details: London: National Offender Management Service, 2015. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Analytical Summary: Accessed July 30, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449014/study-fantasy-disclosure-sexual-homicide.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449014/study-fantasy-disclosure-sexual-homicide.pdf Shelf Number: 136267 Keywords: HomicideSex OffendersSexual HomicideSexual Violence |
Author: Marroushi, Nadine Title: Violence against Women in Egypt: Prospects for improving police response Summary: During celebrations for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's victory in the presidential race in June 2014, at least nine women were violently sexually assaulted by mobs of men in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Shortly after, Sisi made a statement in which he instructed the minister of interior to "vigorously enforce the law and take all necessary measures to combat sexual harassment". Within days of the president's statement, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced plans to expand nationally the Violence Against Women (VAW) Unit that had been established in the Ministry in mid-2013. This paper discusses the context and the political events that led to the establishment of the VAW unit, the unit's work since 2013 and the key challenges it faces, and the deeper institutional changes that are needed. The paper concludes with recommendations to the MOI for ways to improve Egypt's policing response to violence against women. Key recommendations include committing to ongoing high-level government support to the VAW unit; ensuring all police officers are trained to deal appropriately with VAW cases; increasing the representation of women in the police force; and adopting a wider set of reforms to ensure accountability and democratic governance in the security sector. Details: London: Saferworld, 2015. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 30, 2015 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/904-violence-against-women-in-egypt-prospects-for-improving-police-response Year: 2015 Country: Egypt URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/904-violence-against-women-in-egypt-prospects-for-improving-police-response Shelf Number: 136276 Keywords: Police ResponseSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: New Zealand. Law Commission. Title: Alternative pre-trial and trial processes : possible reforms Summary: This project arose from the Commission's recommendation in their Report, Disclosure to Court of Defendants' Previous Convictions, Similar Offending, and Bad Character (R103, 2008). The Commission recommended that Government should undertake an inquiry into whether the present adversarial trial process should be modified or replaced with an alternative model, with particular reference to cases involving sexual violence. In 2012, the Commission completed a preliminary review of the use of alternative pre-trial and trial processes for criminal offending, with a specific focus on sex offences. The Commission published Issues Paper 30 and received a large number of submissions from the public. The project was then put on hold by the Minister Responsible for the Law Commission at the time. In late 2014, the project was reactivated on request of the current Minister of Justice. The terms of reference for the project have not changed. Details: Wellington: New Zealand Law Commission, 2012. 117p. Source: Internet Resource: Law Commission issues paper, 2012, no. 30: Accessed August 10, 2015 at: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC%20IP30.pdf Year: 2015 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC%20IP30.pdf Shelf Number: 136373 Keywords: Criminal CourtsPretrial DetentionSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Fulu, E. Title: Why Do Some Men Use Violence Against Women and How Can We Prevent It? Quantitative Findings from the United Nations Multi-country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific Summary: How do masculinities relate to men's perceptions and perpetrations of violence against women? What do these gendered norms, identities and practices mean for violence prevention? From 2010 to 2013, over 10,000 men and women across Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea were interviewed using the UN Multi-country Study on Men and Violence household survey to help answer these questions. The study derives from the Partners for Prevention (P4P) initiative, and focused on intimate partner violence and non-partner rape. The regional analysis found that between 26 and 80 percent of men reported using physical and/or sexual violence against a female partner. The research shows that sexual and gender-based violence is not caused by individual men's beliefs and practices alone, but are situated within wider societal contexts characterised by gender inequalities and power imbalances between men and women, which women also play a role in maintaining. Work to prevent violence against women must reflect this by working at the individual, relationship, community and greater society levels. Recommendations on how the data supports violence prevention initiatives are as follows: - Change social norms related to the acceptability of violence and the subordination of women; - Promote non-violence masculinities oriented towards equality and respect; - Address child abuse and promote healthy families and nurturing, violence-free environments for children; - Work with young boys to address early ages of sexual violence perpetration; - Promote healthy sexuality for men and address male sexual entitlement; - End impunity for men who rape; - Develop interventions that respond to specific patterns of violence in each context. Details: Bangkok: UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNV, 2013. 121p. Source: Accessed August 13, 2015 at: http://www.partners4prevention.org/node/515 Year: 2013 Country: Asia URL: Shelf Number: 131395 Keywords: Abusive MenChild Abuse and NeglectFamily ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolence Prevention |
Author: Amnesty International Title: 'Libya is Full of Cruelty': Summary: Inside war-torn Libya, thousands of foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, face abductions for ransom, torture and sexual violence by traffickers, smugglers and organized criminal groups. Many are systematically subjected to discrimination and exploitation by their employers or face indefinite detention in appalling conditions on account of their immigration status. Religious minorities, in particular Christian migrants and refugees, are persecuted and are at highest risk of abuse from armed groups that seek to enforce their own interpretation of Islamic law. This briefing, based on research conducted by Amnesty International in Sicily and Tunisia between August 2014 and April 2015, shows that widespread abuses are increasingly pushing thousands of foreign nationals, including members of established communities, to risk their lives in treacherous sea crossings in a desperate attempt to reach safety in Europe. As violence continues in Libya and ever more people drown in the Mediterranean Sea, Amnesty International calls on governments of neighbouring countries, which have imposed more stringent entry requirements out of fear that the conflicts in Libya will spill over into their territory, to keep their borders open to all individuals in need of international protection. Amnesty International welcomes the commitment made by EU leaders to deploy more resources for search and rescue, but more people will drown in the Mediterranean Sea unless rescue vessels are delivered promptly, deployed in areas where they are needed most and remain available for as long as high numbers of refugees and migrants continue to depart from Libya. Amnesty International also calls on EU governments to increase the number of resettlement places, humanitarian admissions and visas for people in need of international protection. Details: London: AI, 2015. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2015 at: https://doc.es.amnesty.org/cgi-bin/ai/BRSCGI/MDE1915782015ENGLISH?=VEROBJ&MLKOB=33253431111 Year: 2015 Country: Libya URL: https://doc.es.amnesty.org/cgi-bin/ai/BRSCGI/MDE1915782015ENGLISH?CMD=VEROBJ&MLKOB=33253431111 Shelf Number: 136426 Keywords: Human Rights Abuses Human trafficking Migrant Deaths Migrants Organized Crime Refugees Sexual ViolenceViolence |
Author: Sinozich, Sofi Title: Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Among College-Age Females, 1995-2013 Summary: This report uses the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to compare the rape and sexual assault victimization of female college students and nonstudents. For the period 1995-2013 - - The rate of rape and sexual assault was 1.2 times higher for nonstudents (7.6 per 1,000) than for students (6.1 per 1,000). - For both college students and nonstudents, the offender was known to the victim in about 80% of rape and sexual assault victimizations. - Most (51%) student rape and sexual assault victimizations occurred while the victim was pursuing leisure activities away from home, compared to nonstudents who were engaged in other activities at home (50%) when the victimization occurred. - The offender had a weapon in about 1 in 10 rape and sexual assault victimizations against both students and nonstudents. - Rape and sexual assault victimizations of students (80%) were more likely than nonstudent victimizations (67%) to go unreported to police. - About a quarter of student (26%) and nonstudent (23%) victims who did not report to police believed the incident was a personal matter, and 1 in 5 (20% each) stated a fear of reprisal. - Student victims (12%) were more likely than nonstudent victims (5%) to state that the incident was not important enough to report. - Fewer than 1 in 5 female student (16%) and nonstudent (18%) victims of rape and sexual assault received assistance from a victim services agency. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice,Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2015 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsavcaf9513.pdf Shelf Number: 136624 Keywords: Campus CrimeCollege and UniversitiesRapeSex OffendersSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictimization Survey |
Author: McLean, Fiona Title: Factors associated with serious or persistent violent offending: Findings from a rapid evidence assessment Summary: Identification of serially violent individuals by the police could allow forces to be aware of and, where possible develop strategies to manage the risk to the public. This paper presents findings from a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) designed to explore the evidence base on factors associated with, or predictive of, known serious or persistent violent offending excluding domestic or sexual violence. The REA is based on 53 studies from a systematic search of 7 databases using a strictly applied set of search and assessment criteria and recommended sources by academic experts. The factors identified and discussed in this report have been found by some research studies to be predictive of repeat violent behaviour. The characteristics identified are associated with an increased relative risk of repeat violent offending - that is that offenders with these characteristics are more likely to commit a further offence compared with other offenders. An increased relative risk does not mean that all offenders with that characteristic will go on to commit further offences. Key findings from the REA The range of factors identified by the evidence reviewed as being associated with persistent violent offending is presented in the full report. Those factors identified through studies graded with the highest quality and most likely to be of use to police analysts are listed below. The evidence on factors associated with serial violent offending in women is limited; therefore the factors primarily apply to male offenders: - An offending career that begins before the age of 14 is highly predictive of later violent offending and a longer criminal career (reported in 9 studies of which 4 were graded 1). - Individuals with a long criminal career are more likely to commit violent crimes (reported in 7 studies of which 5 were graded 1). - Individuals with a history of violence are more likely to commit further violent crimes (reported in 10 studies of which 5 were graded 1). There were also several other factors where there is some evidence that suggests it may be associated with violent reoffending but that evidence is not as strong. These may be worth considering when refining the prioritisation of those identified as high risk. These factors include drug use in adolescence (4 studies), gang membership (5 studies) and antisocial behaviour at a young age or anti-social personality traits in adults (4 studies). In addition, there is some limited evidence that previous convictions for certain specific offences such as kidnapping and blackmail are associated with an increased relative risk of committing further serious offences such as homicide and rape (3 studies). A number of 'protective factors' were identified which could be used to filter any high risk population identified. These factors include: marriage, particularly a cohesive or 'good' marriage before the age of 25 (6 studies) and employment (5 studies). The REA also identified literature on many existing violent risk assessment tools that have been developed to try and predict the risk of reoffending, typically in prisons or forensic psychiatric units. Most of the tools identified use a combination of clinical and actuarial measures. Clinical data such as the offender's response to questionnaires and behavioural indicators would not be readily available to the police and so such tools have been excluded from the REA. Where the tools use actuarial data - such as age - that would be available, the factors included in the tools have been examined and found to be largely consistent with those identified separately in the REA. These tools have been discussed within the report. Details: National Policing Improvement Agency, 2012. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 24, 2015 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/REA_violent_reoffending.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/REA_violent_reoffending.pdf Shelf Number: 136853 Keywords: Evidence-Based PracticesSexual ViolenceViolenceViolence PreventionViolent CrimeViolent Offenders |
Author: National Crime Research Centre (Kenya) Title: Gender Based Violence in Kenya Summary: Gender Based Violence is a criminal offence and a moral indignation as provided in the Kenyan Penal Code, the Sexual Offences Act 2006 and the Constitution 2010. GBV also contributes to health problems which ultimately translate into social and economic burdens for society members and the Government. It therefore impedes the achievement of developmental goals, for instance, in the context of the Millennium Development Goals and Kenya's Vision 2030. This report is based on a baseline survey carried out in 13 counties namely, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Meru, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Samburu, Kisii, Migori, Busia and Vihiga. The purpose was to establish the prevalence, cause and effects of GBV at the community level. The overall design was a cross-sectional survey while a questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection. The unit of analysis was the individual while the units of observation were individual community members and key informants. Individual respondents were selected randomly with a priori decision targeting a sample of 80.0% women and 20.0% men. Key informants were drawn from Government Departments in the frontline of addressing GBV including National Police Service, Judiciary, Probation and Aftercare Service and Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. The existence and nature of GBV in the community was measured by respondents awareness of forms and underlying causes of self-reported experience of acts of GBV in ones lifetime and in the last 12 months from intimate and non-intimate partner; types of experience disaggregating for physical, sexual and emotional assaults; reporting of the acts; and institutional and community responses to GBV. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in tables and figures. The analyses were aided by EpiData and SPSS computer programs. Qualitative data were analyzed through identification of relevant themes and presented through descriptions and quotations. Some of the key findings in the report are: i. The most common description of what constitutes GBV was "bodily harm inflicted by man on woman" reported by 73.8% of female and 68.9% of male respondents. There was low level of viewing abuses on children as GBV, which seems to indicate that respondents generally considered GBV only in relation to "adult to adult" behaviour and not "parent to child" behaviour. ii. More men than women report GBV to be "bodily harm inflicted by woman on man" and "psychological harm inflicted by woman on man". This reflects a gender bias in which women "trivialize" the experience of men and a cultural change in which men admit being victimized by women. iii. Among the key informants, the Judiciary and Probation Officers demonstrated clear understanding of what constitutes GBV while the understanding of the Police and Provincial Administration was ambiguous. iv. Respondents generally reported existence of beliefs in their areas/communities indicating men's dominance over women in their areas; for instance, 52.5% of female and 56.6% of male respondents reported that in their community it is believed that "Disciplining a woman is a man's traditional right". Thus, the most fundamental cause of GBV is the traditional belief about men's dominance over women. v. The commonest forms of GBV mentioned by both men and women were "inflicting bodily harm/physical assault", "verbal abuse" and "rape". Clear gender differences were indicated by more women than men identifying "bodily harm" as a common form of GBV, and more men than women identifying "discrimination". vi. Lifetime prevalence of GBV was 38% for women and 20.9% for men while current prevalence was 37.7% for women and 48.6% for men. This shows that while women's vulnerability remained fairly constant, that of men increased appreciably in the last one year. This is consistent with the common belief about increased vulnerability of men as reported in the media. vii. Significant proportions of women (15.2%) and men (7.4%) had ever experienced sexual violence. While women's vulnerability to sex violence is well know, that of men is a new finding. Focusing on sexual violence in the last 12 months among women, rape was the commonest form (compared with sexual threats and sexual humiliation). More women (37.5%) reported having experienced rape (that is, physically forced to have sexual intercourse against one's will) from an intimate partner than a non intimate partner (9.6%). viii. GBV reporting was found to be low. Only 15.2% of female and 16.7% of male respondents who had ever been sexually violated had reported or had someone else report the act of sexual violence. Only 10.3% of women and 6.8% of men reported to have ever been asked at a health facility of any GBV physical or sexual experience they might have encountered. Among respondents who had ever reported GBV experience, most of them had reported to the Police and Provincial Administration indicating the importance of these institutions (even though the study found their understanding of GBV being inadequate). Interestingly, more men (56.5%) than women (32.4%) reported to the police confirming the general assumption that women are intimidated when reporting GBV. ix. Only a few of the respondents reported GBV to "mother", "father" or "religious leader", which raises a serious concern since these are the closest in providing immediate intervention. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: National Crime Research Centre, 2014. 116p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 1, 2015 at: http://ncia.or.ke/ncrc/phocadownload/ncrc%202015%20-%20gender%20based%20violence%20in%20kenya.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Kenya URL: http://ncia.or.ke/ncrc/phocadownload/ncrc%202015%20-%20gender%20based%20violence%20in%20kenya.pdf Shelf Number: 136932 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual Violence |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Title: Sex Offender Management Assessment and Planning Initiative Summary: Sex offenders have received considerable attention in recent years from both policymakers and the public. This is due to the profound impact that sex crimes have on victims and the larger community and also due to the increased identification and apprehension of sex offenders. Perpetrators of sex crimes have come to be viewed by policymakers, practitioners, and the public as a unique group of offenders in need of special management practices. As a result, a number of laws and policies focusing specifically on sex offenders have been implemented across the country in recent years, often with extensive public support. There also has been a growing recognition in the criminal justice community that crime control and prevention strategies-including those targeting sex offenders-are far more likely to be effective and cost-beneficial when they are based on scientific evidence about what works. Indeed, crime control policy and program development processes are increasingly being informed by scientific evidence; in addition, many practices in policing, corrections, and other areas have been and continue to be shaped by evidence generated through research. Incentives and mandates for evidence-based programming are now frequently used by funding sources, and the demand for trustworthy, research-generated evidence about what works is rapidly increasing (Przybylski, 2012). Recognizing the important role scientific evidence plays in the development and implementation of effective policies and practices, including those focused on sex offenders, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and OJP's Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART Office) began to identify and disseminate information from state-of-the-art research on central and emerging issues in sex offender management to inform policy and practice in the field. Since 1996, OJP has worked to promote advances in the field of sex offender management. In the 1980s and 1990s, several high-profile sex crimes led to the enactment of state and federal legislation directed toward tracking and controlling sex offenders. These laws were passed without the benefit of strong research to support particular approaches to managing sex offenders. In response to this flurry of legislative activity and heightened public concern, OJP convened a national summit in 1996 that brought together nearly 200 practitioners, academic researchers, and other experts to discuss the most effective management strategies for this offender population. During the summit, OJP received recommendations about the needs of the field regarding sex offender management training and technical assistance. In response to these recommendations, OJP initiated research projects on sex offender management, developed sex offender-specific grant programs, and supported the Center for Sex Offender Management's training and technical assistance to the field. In the ensuing years, OJP sponsored more than 100 research projects, publications, and training curricula related to sexual assault and sex offender management. Grant programs provided funds to approximately 200 state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to enhance and improve the management of sex offenders in their communities. These jurisdictions have created standards for the treatment and supervision of adults and juveniles, employed sex offender-specific assessment and truth-verification tools, enhanced victim advocacy and support, developed specialized sex offender courts, and improved information sharing and collaboration within and across disciplines and jurisdictions. In 2006, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (AWA) authorized the establishment of the SMART Office-the first federal office devoted solely to sex offender management-related activities. The office is responsible for helping to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (Title I of AWA) and also for providing assistance to criminal justice professionals and the public about the entire spectrum of sex offender management activities needed to ensure public safety. Building on OJP's efforts, the SMART Office began work in 2011 on the Sex Offender Management Assessment and Planning Initiative (SOMAPI), a project designed to assess the state of research and practice in sex offender management and to inform OJP's research and grant-making efforts in this area. As part of this effort, the office gathered information about research and practice in the field and enlisted practitioners to (1) provide details about sex offender management programs and practices that are promising or effective, and (2) identify the needs of the various disciplines involved. The SMART Office contracted with the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) and a team of subject-matter experts to review the scholarly literature on sexual offending and sex offender management and to develop annotated summaries of the research for dissemination to the field. To gain insight into emerging issues, promising practices, and pressing needs in the sex offender management field at the state and local levels, NCJA conducted an informal national inventory of sex offender management professionals in 2011. Finally, the SMART Office hosted the Sex Offender Management Research and Practice Discussion Forum (SOMAPI forum) in February 2012. At this event, national experts-both researchers and practitioners-gathered in the District of Columbia to discuss the research summaries and inventory results in order to further refine what is known about the current state of sex offender management, gaps in research and practice, and the needs of the different disciplines involved in this work. Recommendations from the SOMAPI forum informed this report and will help guide OJP's sex offender management research, policy, and grant-making efforts in the future and provide direction to the field on how best to protect the public from sexual violence. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2014. 189p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2015 at: http://www.smart.gov/SOMAPI/pdfs/SOMAPI_Full%20Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.smart.gov/SOMAPI/pdfs/SOMAPI_Full%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 136967 Keywords: Evidence-Based PracticesJuvenile Sex OffendersSex OffendersSexual ViolenceYouthful Sex Offenders |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: Justice on Trial: Lessons from the Minova Rape case in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: In November 2012, thousands of defeated army troops rampaged through the small eastern town of Minova and neighboring villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, pillaging and raping as they went. It was one of the worst incidents of sexual violence in Congo in recent years. A year later, under intense international pressure, Congolese judicial authorities brought to trial 25 soldiers and 14 officers for war crimes before a domestic military court. The Minova rape trial raised high hopes and drew intense international scrutiny. It was seen as a key test for providing accountability for the pervasive sexual violence and other abuses that have plagued eastern Congo. Yet, despite massive international support, the proceedings failed to deliver justice: none of the high level commanders with overall responsibility for the troops in Minova were indicted and some of those who went to prison were convicted on questionable evidence without right to appeal. Justice on Trial is based on extensive interviews with military justice officials, lawyers, victims who testified, United Nations staff, and local activists, and analysis of public court documents. It examines the inner workings of the Congolese military justice system and highlights - through the shortcomings in this case - the barriers that often thwart effective justice for atrocities in Congolese courts, including insufficient expertise in handling grave international crimes, violations of fair trial rights, and an apparent unwillingness to pursue high-level commanders. The scale of serious crimes committed in Congo, and the limitations of the International Criminal Court, increase the burden on the Congolese justice system to develop the capacity and will to prosecute crimes competently, independently, and impartially. Details: New York: HRW, 2015. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2015 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/drc1015_4up_0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/drc1015_4up_0.pdf Shelf Number: 136972 Keywords: Criminal TrialsMilitary CourtsRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: Violence Against Children in Kenya: Findings from a 2010 National Survey Summary: The 2010 Kenya Violence against Children Study (VACs) is the first national survey of violence against both female and male children in Kenya. The survey is the most up to date National assessment of households covering 1,306 females and 1,622 males aged between 13 to 24 years. The Kenya VACs was designed to yield lifetime and current experiences of emotional , physical and sexual violations for female and male children from the following age groups: - 18 to 24 year olds who experienced acts of violence prior to age 18 (lifetime events). - 13 to 17 year olds who experienced acts of violence during the 12 months prior to the survey (current events). The 2010 Kenya VACs was guided by a Technical Working Group (TWG). The group was assembled in view of their expertise in issues of children in Kenya and the mandates of their organizations. The findings from the survey indicate that violence against children is a serious problem in Kenya. Levels of violence prior to age 18 as reported by 18 to 24 year olds (lifetime experiences) indicate that during childhood, 32% of females and 18% of males experience sexual violence . 66% of females and 73% of males experienced physical violence and 26% of females and 32% of males experience any violence as a child. 13% of females and 9% of males experienced all three types of violence during childhood. The most common perpetrators of sexual violence for females and males were found to be boyfriends/girlfriends/romantic partners comprising 47% and 43% respectively followed by neighbors, 27% and 21% respectively. Mothers and fathers were the most common perpetrator of physical violence by family members. For males, teachers followed by Police were the most common perpetrators of physical violence by an authority figure. Emotional violence for both females and males was most often inflicted by parents. Regardless of the type of violence, less than one out of every females or males who experienced sexual, physical, or emotional violence as a child knew of a place to go to seed professional help. Most importantly, less than 10% of females and males who experienced sexual, physical or emotional violence as a child actually received some form of professional help. Females aged 18 to 24 who reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood were significantly more likely to report feelings of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and fair/poor health than those females who did not experience sexual violence. Three out of every ten females 30% aged 18 to 24 who reported experiencing unwanted completed intercourse before the age of 18 (i.e., sex that was physically forced or pressured ) became pregnant as a result. About 90% of females and males who experienced sexual violence as a child reported of a place to go for HIV testing. Among females aged 18 to 24 who experienced sexual violence as a child, about 7% had received money for sex compared to 2% of those who did not experience violence prior to age 18. Females and males age 18 to 24 who experienced sexual violence prior to age 18 (7% versus 2% for females; 53% versus 35% for males). Over half females and males age 18 to 24, regardless of whether they experienced violence prior to 18, believe that it is acceptable for a husband to beat his wife. Furthermore, 40% of females and 50% of males believed that a woman should tolerate spousal violence in order to keep her family together. Details: Nairobi: UNICEF - Kenya Office, 2012. 178p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2015 at: https://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/docs/VAC_in_Kenya.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Kenya URL: https://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/docs/VAC_in_Kenya.pdf Shelf Number: 137028 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentEmotional AbuseFamily ViolenceRapeSex OffensesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Children |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Sexual Assault: Actions Needed to Improve DODs Prevention Strategy and to Help Ensure It Is Effectively Implemented Summary: Sexual assault is a crime that devastates victims and has a far-reaching negative impact for DOD because it undermines DODs core values, degrades mission readiness, and raises financial costs. DOD data show that reported sexual assaults involving service-members more than doubled from about 2,800 reports in fiscal year 2007 to about 6,100 reports in fiscal year 2014. Based on results of a 2014 survey, RAND estimated that 20,300 active-duty service-members were sexually assaulted in the prior year. Senate Report 113-176 includes a provision for GAO to review DODs efforts to prevent sexual assault. This report addresses the extent to which DOD (1) developed an effective prevention strategy, (2) implemented activities department-wide and at military installations related to the departments effort to prevent sexual assault, and (3) developed performance measures to determine the effectiveness of its efforts to prevent sexual assault in the military. GAO evaluated DODs strategy against CDCs framework for effective sexual-violence prevention strategies, reviewed DOD policies, and interviewed cognizant officials. What GAO Recommends GAO recommends that DOD link prevention activities with desired outcomes; identify risk and protective factors for all domains; communicate and disseminate its strategy to all program personnel; align service policies with the strategy; and fully develop performance measures. DOD concurred with all recommendations and noted actions it was taking. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2015. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-16-61: Accessed November 6, 2015 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/673515.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/673515.pdf Shelf Number: 137209 Keywords: MilitaryRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Cox, Peta Title: Sexual assault and domestic violence in the context of co-occurrence and re-victimisation: State of knowledge paper Summary: This state of knowledge paper examines the intersection between sexual assault and domestic violence, focusing on two forms of concurrent victimisation: re-victimisation (when a woman, over her lifetime, experiences both sexual assault and domestic violence) and intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). The paper looks at the complexity of these experiences to identify the common impacts of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to critically examine how re-victimisation and IPSV can shift the ways in which we think about, and provide services for, women affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Key findings include: - The lack of longitudinal studies of re-victimisation reduces our ability to make conclusions about causal factors or the nature of victimisation over time. - Much of the available research on IPSV and re-victimisation is unable to be extrapolated to findings about the general population, as it focuses on non-representative groups such women who were attending psychology clinics. - Research indicates that women who experience child sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to experience IPSV than women who have not experienced CSA. Similarly, women who have experienced CSA are more likely to experience DV (not limited to sexual violence) in their adult relationships. - IPSV generally occurs in the context of other forms of violence and was often part of a larger pattern of coercive control in a relationship. IPSV should be considered a tactic of DV, and not a separate phenomenon. - Heteronormative beliefs and conservative gender norms were associated with acceptance and experience of sexual coercion for both men and women. - IPSV victims are less likely to seek help than victims of other forms of DV. - Drug and alcohol use may be a precursor, consequence or risk factor associated with IPSV and re-victimisation. Similarly, emotional distress and psychiatric conditions may increase a person's vulnerability to violence, place them in high risk contexts and/or may be a consequence of violence. - A wide range of communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women with a disability, have discrete patterns of victimisation, including distinct behaviours and norms that may increase the risk of victimisation. - Normative understandings of what constitutes "real rape" affect how victims, perpetrators and bystanders interpret experiences of sexual assault. These norms particularly affect interpretations of IPSV incidents. - Both IPSV and re-victimisation had significant physical and mental health consequences. Details: Sydney: ANROWS, 2015. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: State of Knowledge Paper, Issue 13: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://anrows.org.au/publications/landscapes/co-occurrence-and-re-victimisation Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://anrows.org.au/publications/landscapes/co-occurrence-and-re-victimisation Shelf Number: 137316 Keywords: Family ViolenceRepeat VictimizationSex CrimesSexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Holden, Jenny Title: We Want to Learn About Good Love: Findings from a Qualitative Study Assessing the Links Between Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Violence Against Women and Girls Summary: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) - including learning about relationships, gender and gender-based violence (GBV), sex, sexuality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) - can empower young people to make informed, autonomous decisions regarding their current and future relationships. CSE may also influence a positive shift in social norms which underpin violence against women and girls (VAWG), such as harmful notions of masculinity, and rigid gender roles and stereotypes - both in schools and the wider community. Drawing on global evidence on CSE interventions and primary and secondary research in Cambodia and Uganda1, this report explores the extent to which CSE may be a key mechanism to promote gender equality, shift harmful social norms and prevent VAWG. This report finds compelling evidence that CSE can be seen not only as part of a quality education, but also as part of a holistic approach to preventing VAWG. However, more evidence on 'what works' in changing attitudes on gender equality and reducing VAWG as part of CSE delivery is needed. Details: London: Plan International UK and Social Development Direct, 2015. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2015 at: http://www.plan-uk.org/assets/Documents/pdf/we-want-to-learn-about-good-love Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.plan-uk.org/assets/Documents/pdf/we-want-to-learn-about-good-love Shelf Number: 137347 Keywords: Educational ProgramsGender-Related ViolenceSex EducationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, GirlsViolence Prevention |
Author: New Zealand. Law Commission. Title: The Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Violence. Criminal trials and Alternative Processes Summary: In its Report The Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Violence: Criminal Trials and Alternative Processes (R136), the Law Commission completes a review of trial processes in sexual violence cases and makes recommendations for change. It considers whether a non-criminal process is a viable alternative way of dealing with certain incidents of sexual violence, where that is desired by the victim, and puts forward a proposal to give effect to such an alternative. It also suggests that victims should have wraparound support throughout their time in the justice system and proposes the creation of a commission against sexual violence which would be responsible for leading and coordinating the provision of support to victims of sexual violence. The Law Commission makes a total of 82 recommendations across three distinct areas. Those recommendations include the following: Trial process and the courts - There should be a limit on the amount of time it takes for criminal proceedings involving sexual violence to get to trial. - Less traumatic methods of giving evidence at trial should be made available to complainants of sexual violence. - All judges who sit on sexual violence trials should receive special training. - A specialist sexual violence court should be piloted and future consideration should be given to whether proceedings in that court should or should not be heard in front of a jury. Alternative process - Government should put in place a legal and policy framework to give effect to an alternative process that could operate entirely separately of criminal trial. - The process would provide for a victim to complete a programme that addresses the harm caused by the sexual violence and that facilitates discussion with and reparation by the perpetrator, if appropriate. - It would be run by accredited, expert providers. - There would be some flexibility as to how the process is run by each provider but nationwide standards would ensure the safety of participants and cases could be rejected if the provider assessed them as unsuitable based on public safety risk or risk to the victim. - If this process was successfully completed by a perpetrator, the incident of sexual violence could not form the basis of a subsequent criminal prosecution. Support for victims - Government should develop training and education programmes for all those who interact with sexual violence victims in a professional capacity and should also consider a national accreditation programme. - A sexual violence commission should be established to coordinate support services for victims and to promote communication and consultation across the sector, and between government-based and community-based support providers. - The commission should also be responsible for carrying out research, delivering training and education programmes, and accrediting and monitoring the providers of the alternative process. Details: Wellington, NZ: Law Commission, 2015. 249p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 11, 2016 at: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC-R136-The-Justice-Response-to-Victims-of-Sexual-Violence.pdf Year: 2015 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC-R136-The-Justice-Response-to-Victims-of-Sexual-Violence.pdf Shelf Number: 137458 Keywords: Criminal TrialsSex OffendersSexual ViolenceVictims of Crimes |
Author: Legal Aid Network (LAN) Title: Justice Delayed, Justice Denied. Seeking Truth about Sexual Violence and War Crime Case in Burma. ((With a Special Focus on the Kawng Kha Case, in Kachin Land) Summary: Despite the so-called democratic transition taking place since 2010, Burma1 remains constitutionally under the control of the Armed Forces. However, our national democratic icon, democratic forces, some ethnic armed organizations, many NGOs -- especially GONGOs - and most of the international community are siding with or exercising a policy of appeasement with the power holders, without scrutinizing whether the source of their power emanates from the genuine will of the various ethnic nationalities and/or indigenous peoples. As a result, terms such as human dignity, human value, and particularly human rights have become empty rhetoric. Accountability is merely a political slogan, used by the incumbent President Thein Sein, the chairperson of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), since coming to office in 2011, but never implemented by any government institution in practice. The vicious circle of impunity continues, and, for the time being, seeking justice is an unpopular concept, voiced only by victims' communities. Against this background, a heinous crime against two young ethnic Kachin female volunteer teachers was committed on January 19, 2015, allegedly by the Myanmar soldiers of the ruling regime. Despite the fact that it has been almost ten months now, the perpetrators are still at large and no suspect has been identified by the police. Investigations carried out by the authorities have not focused on the victims, but have been one-sided, benefitting the perpetrators. The lack of reparative and restorative justice has led to delay and finally a denial of justice. The ominous silence around this case will become a catalyst for recurrence of gross human rights violations in the future. This preliminary report attempts to uncover the truth about this case, relating it to similar past incidents of war crimes, particularly sexual violence. It is also examined as to whether the state is held accountable for failure to provide protection for such heinous crimes and reparations to the victims, due to official state passivity. The government is also reminded of its obligations under domestic and international law. The victims of rape have commonly been non-Burman ethnic females, such as Shan, Karen, Kachin, Karenni, Palaung, etc. As such, the crimes can be categorized as having an ethnic nature. In many previous cases, even though victims were raped, they were not murdered. And even if they were murdered, they were not tortured. However, the Kawng Kha war crime case highlighted in this preliminary report is quite distinct. The victims were not only raped but also murdered. Worse, it was not an ordinary rape but a gang-rape. In addition, the victims were inhumanely and brutally tortured before they were murdered. As of now, nobody knows whether the victims were tortured by the perpetrators before or after being raped. As such, among the gross human rights violations inflicted on the various ethnic nationalities over the past decades, the Kawng Kha case constitutes one of the most heinous crime ever committed. Unfortunately, the ruling regime, albeit having the responsibility as the government, has not yet submitted any report specifically on this case to the Committee against Torture and to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Burma has already acceded to. There are no independent institutions or professionals working with victims of sexual violence nor does there exist any effective law for protection of witnesses in Burma. In accordance with the 2008 Constitution of Burma, the Myanmar Armed Forces, led by the Commander-in-Chief - not the State President - primarily exercise executive power. In addition to the Police and other security institutions, the Judiciary is also subservient to the executive. This legal and institutional framework has exacerbated the situation of the victims, their families and their communities, whenever the culprits or suspects are army personnel or government authorities. In regard to sexual violence, a serious problem is that ethnic women victims, given social, geographical, financial and legal constraints, are unable even to file complaints; and, even if a complaint is filed, it is commonly rejected by the Judiciary or the local authorities. This paper explores the status of State Institutions, focusing on the Police Institution, from the aspect of institutional integrity as well as procedural justice, as underpinned by not only national laws, international human rights laws and humanitarian law, but also the Rule of Law. This paper also establishes the nexus between civil war and human rights violations and attempts to find a reasonable solution. Last, but not least, the role and responsibility of the international community is scrutinized from the perspective of promotion and protection of human rights in connection with the previous and current background scenario of Burma. Details: Chiang Mai, Thailand: Kachin Women's Association in Thailand, 2016. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 27, 2016 at: http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/KWAT-2016-01-Justice_Delayed_Justice_Denied-en-red.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Burma URL: http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/KWAT-2016-01-Justice_Delayed_Justice_Denied-en-red.pdf Shelf Number: 137666 Keywords: Human Rights AbusesRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenWar Crimes |
Author: Beck, Allen J. Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Juvenile Correctional Authorities, 2007-12 Summary: Presents national estimates of nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment reported by correctional authorities in state juvenile correctional systems and local and private juvenile correctional facilities from 2007 to 2012. The report also examines substantiated incidents, including characteristics of victims and perpetrators, location, time of day, nature of injuries, impact on the victims, and sanctions imposed on the perpetrators. Companion tables in the Survey of Sexual Violence in Juvenile Correctional Facilities, 2007-12 - Statistical Tables include counts of allegations and substantiated incidents of sexual victimization for each state juvenile correctional system, juvenile correctional facility in Indian country, and sampled locally and privately operated juvenile correctional facility. Data are from BJS's Survey of Sexual Violence (SSV), which has been conducted annually since 2004. Highlights: In 2012, juvenile correctional administrators reported 865 allegations of sexual victimization in state juvenile systems and 613 in local or private facilities and Indian country facilities. The number of allegations per year has fluctuated in state juvenile systems and the rate more than doubled, from 19 per 1,000 youth in 2005 to 47 per 1,000 in 2012. In locally and privately operated facilities, the number of allegations dropped from 2009 to 2011 and then began to rise in 2012. Based on 2-year rolling averages, the rate in 2012 was 13.5 per 1,000 youth, up from 7.2 per 1,000 in 2010. From 2007 to 2012, nearly 9,500 allegations of sexual victimization of youth were reported in state or local and private facilities. Fifty-five percent involved youth-on-youth sexual victimization and 45% involved staff-on-youth sexual victimization. Upon investigation, 25% of the allegations of youth-on-youth sexual victimization and 10% of the allegations of staff-on-youth sexual victimization were substantiated during the 6-year period. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 1, 2016 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svrjca0712.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svrjca0712.pdf Shelf Number: 137717 Keywords: Juvenile CorrectionsJuvenile InmatesRapeSexual VictimizationSexual Violence |
Author: Gutierrez, Luz Mendez Title: Clamor for Justice. Sexual Violence, Armed Conflict and Violent Land Dispossession Summary: Clamor for Justice: Sexual Violence, Armed Conflict and Violent Land Dispossession is grounded in the lives of Maya Q'eqchi women from the communities of Sepur Zarco and Lote Ocho, in the Polochic Valley of Guatemala. It is one of the book's many virtues that we encounter them not through the abstraction "women victims of sexual violence," but through the particularity of their own voices, their experiences, their ideas. Their ideas, the alliances they forge, their creative strategizing to wrest justice from legal systems that have never treated them or the crimes committed against them seriously: these are at the heart of Clamor for Justice. At a time when the international policy community calls for an "end to impunity," but lacks both adequate conceptions of how to achieve it and sufficient political will to transform rhetoric into institutional practice, this book opens our eyes and offers inspiration. The innovative legal strategies pioneered by the women of Sepur Zarco, Lote Ocho and their allies open new pathways to justice, not only for these Q'eqchi women, but potentially for women in many other parts of the world. We need these models, and Clamor for Justice importantly works to spread the word. Details: Guatemala: Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Accion Psicosocial, 2015. 176p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2016 at: http://genderandsecurity.org/sites/default/files/Clamor_for_Justice_Guatemala.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Guatemala URL: http://genderandsecurity.org/sites/default/files/Clamor_for_Justice_Guatemala.pdf Shelf Number: 137757 Keywords: Conflict Related ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: California State Auditor, Bureau of State Audits Title: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. California Universities Must Better Protect Students by Doing More to Prevent, Respond to, and Resolve Incidents Summary: Sexual harassment and sexual violence against university students is an issue of critical importance. In May 2014 the U.S. Department of Education published a list of 55 universities, including the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), that it is investigating for their handling of sexual violence complaints. Further, according to a report prepared in 2007 for the National Institute of Justice, one-in-five women is sexually assaulted while in college. The federal government recognizes that sexual harassment of students, which includes sexual violence, interferes with students' rights to receive an education free from discrimination and, in the case of sexual violence, is a crime. Sexual harassment and sexual violence are forms of discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). The issue of sexual violence was highlighted in January 2014 when the president of the United States announced the creation of a White House task force to develop a coordinated federal response to campus rape and sexual assault. The task force issued its initial report in April 2014. The universities we reviewed - UC Berkeley; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); California State University, Chico (Chico State); and San Diego State University (San Diego State) - do not ensure that all faculty and staff are sufficiently trained on responding to and reporting student incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence to appropriate officials. In addition, although the Title IX coordinators and staff involved in key roles of the incident-reporting process receive adequate training, certain other university employees who are likely to be the first point of contact, such as resident advisors and athletic coaches, are not sufficiently trained on responding to and reporting these incidents. By not ensuring that all university employees are adequately and routinely trained on responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and by not providing practical information on how to identify incidents, universities risk having their employees mishandle student reports of the incidents. Further, when they are not sufficiently trained, employees may not know how to interact appropriately with students in these situations and may do something that would discourage students from engaging in the reporting process. In addition, the universities must do more to appropriately educate students on sexual harassment and sexual violence. State law requires universities within the California State University (CSU)system and requests those within the University of California (UC) system to provide educational and preventive information about sexual violence to all incoming students as part of established campus orientations, although it does not specify exactly when new student orientations must occur. We believe that the universities should provide this education to incoming students near the time that they arrive on campus, as they may be the most vulnerable to experiencing an incident of sexual harassment or sexual violence in their first weeks on campus. Additionally, universities should ensure that all continuing students receive periodic refresher training, at least annually, on this subject. We also noted that the content of the education did not always cover the topics outlined in statute. Further, the universities must review and modify as needed their incoming student and employee educational programs because of recent changes to federal law and federal guidance. The four universities did not always comply with requirements in state law for distribution of relevant policies. The distribution of these policies is important to inform students and university employees of how to appropriately handle and respond to incidents. In addition, the universities did not post their policies in certain places on campus where they might be seen by large numbers of students. To ensure that students are informed and reminded of the policies, it is important for the universities to prominently post them in locations frequented by students. Further, it is important that the Legislature amend state law to require universities to provide such information in certain prominent locations that are not currently specified in law, such as residence halls and other university housing and athletic facilities. Our review determined that all four universities maintain adequate information at each department involved in the reporting process in the form of brochures and flyers describing the resources available to students who have experienced an incident of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in addition to resources listed online. However, 46 of the 208 students who participated in a survey we conducted, or 22 percent, stated that they were not aware of resources available on campus should they or someone they know experience sexual harassment or sexual violence, indicating that the brochures and flyers, by themselves, may not always be effective in informing students of available resources. The survey also revealed that from 2009 through early March 2014, 73 of the 208 students, or 35 percent, reported experiencing 85 incidents of sexual harassment or sexual violence by another member of the campus community. The students reported that they did not file a Title IX complaint for 74, or 87 percent, of the 85 incidents. Each university we reviewed has an adequate overall process for responding to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. However, our review of 80 case files at the four universities revealed that the universities need to improve these processes in some key areas. Specifically, the universities should do more to demonstrate that a student who may have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence is informed of his or her reporting options and what to expect regarding the university's subsequent actions. The universities then need to better inform students who file a complaint of the status of the investigation and to notify them of the eventual outcome. Additionally, the universities need to evaluate summary data related to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Evaluation of these data would allow them to identify trends, such as the timing and location of incidents, that could then inform their outreach and protection efforts. The four universities have created or are in the process of creating multidisciplinary committees, which is recognized as a best practice, to address sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention. These multidisciplinary committees can evaluate data on the number and types of incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence and aid in the discussion of potential solutions. Details: Sacramento: California State Auditor, 2014. 113p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: http://auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2013-124.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2013-124.pdf Shelf Number: 137788 Keywords: Campus CrimesColleges and UniversitiesRapeSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Karen Women's Organisation (KWO) Title: Salt in the Wound: Outcomes and SGBV Cases in the Karen refugee camps, 2011-13 Summary: The report documents the results of research into the justice outcomes of 289 cases of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the seven Karen-majority refugee camps located along the Thai-Burma border. The results of our research are staggering, and provide ample evidence for the need for change. In the vast majority (80%) of all the SGBV cases in six of the seven camps, women received inadequate justice responses. Even in cases of sexual violence, including rape, we found that there were very weak responses by the judicial systems. The inadequate justice outcomes include perpetrators just signing an agreement to say that they won't do it again (usually with no follow up to ensure that they don't), or paying a small fine to the authorities (usually with zero compensation for the victim) or almost no action at all by authorities. This is not good enough for crimes of violence. Details: Burma: KWO, 2015. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 9, 2016 at: https://karenwomen.org/2015/11/24/kwo-new-report-salt-in-the-wound/ Year: 2015 Country: Burma URL: https://karenwomen.org/2015/11/24/kwo-new-report-salt-in-the-wound/ Shelf Number: 137819 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Great Britain. Office for National Statistics Title: Crime Statistics: Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, year ending march 2015 Summary: This release is a collaboration between ONS and Home Office analysts. It explores a variety of official statistics on violent crime and is based on interviews carried out on the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) in the year to March 2014 and crimes recorded by the police period over the same period. Trend analysis from both sources is included. This release is split into five chapters, each covering a different aspect of violent crime. The first chapter provides an overview of violent crime, summarising the extent and range of violent crime together with an analysis of long term trends. It also explores information such as the characteristics of the victim and the offender, as well as where and when incidents took place. The second chapter presents analyses of data gathered from the Home Office Homicide Index which includes murder, manslaughter and infanticide. The chapter discusses trends in homicide and puts the latest figures in the context of international comparisons. It also provides details on the characteristics of victims and suspects. The third chapter presents findings on the use of weapons in selected offences recorded by the police including firearms, knives and sharp instruments. It includes information on how they are used, and the injuries caused, as well as describing the geographical distribution of these offences. The fourth chapter uses data from a self-completion section on the 2013/14 CSEW which asks about experience of sexual and domestic violence. It describes offences occurring in the 12 months before the interview as well as those taking place since age 16. The chapter explores aspects of serious sexual assault and attitudes to sexual violence. The final chapter presents findings from the 2013/14 CSEW on violent incidents where alcohol has been a factor. Additional analysis on the nature of alcohol-related violence is also provided from the combined datasets of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 CSEW. This chapter also presents some information on alcohol-related violent crime recorded by the police. Key points - The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) continues to show steady declines in violent crime over the last 20 years. Between the 1995 and the 2013/14 surveys, the number of violent crime incidents has fallen from 3.8 million in 1995 to 1.3 million in 2013/14. - Violent crime victimisation rates have fallen by more than half since peak levels of crime in the mid-1990s. In 1995 4.8% of adults aged 16 and over were a victim of violent crime in the previous year, compared with 1.8% in the 2013/14 survey. - Homicide has also shown a general downward trend since 2002/03. The number of currently recorded homicides for 2013/14 (526) and 2011/12 (528) were the lowest since 1989 (521). The number of homicides in 2013/14 was equivalent to 9.2 offences per million population. - As in previous years, children under one year old had the highest rate of homicide (23.9 offences per million population) compared with other age groups. With the exception of those aged under one year, adults generally had higher incidence rates of being a victim of homicide than children. - The numbers of sexual offences (64,205) in 2013/14 was the highest recorded by the police since 2002/03. As well as improvements in recording, this is thought to reflect a greater willingness of victims to come forward to report such crimes. The CSEW has not seen a rise in the prevalence of sexual assault. The latest estimates show a small fall in sexual assault victimisation rates compared with the previous year. - In 2013/14, there were 7,709 offences in which firearms were involved, a 5% decrease compared with 2012/13. Offences involving knives or sharp instruments fell by 2% between 2012/13 and 2013/14 (to 25,972). These falls follow a sustained downward trend over a number of years. - The profile of victims of violent crime and sexual violence varied according to the type of offence. The CSEW showed that young men were most likely to be the victims of violence, while in contrast young women were more likely to have experienced sexual assault (including attempts). - Women were also more likely to be a victim of domestic abuse, with 8.5% of women and 4.5% of men having experienced domestic abuse in the last year, equivalent to an estimated 1.4 million female victims and 700,000 male victims. - In 2013/14, as in previous years, around two-thirds of homicide victims (65%) were male. In contrast, victims killed by a partner or ex-partner were more likely to be women. - Victims perceived the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol in 53% of violent incidents. This is equivalent to an estimated 704,000 'alcohol-related' violent incidents. While the volume of violent incidents that were 'alcohol-related' has fallen over time the proportion has remained relatively steady over the last ten years. Alcohol was a particularly prevalent factor in violent incidents between strangers, 64% of which were perceived to be alcohol-related. Details: London: Office of National Statistics, 2016. various pagings Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2016 at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=Crime+and+Justice#tab-sum-pub Shelf Number: 137883 Keywords: Alcohol-Related CrimeCrime StatisticsCrime SurveysDomestic ViolenceFirearmsGun-Related ViolenceHomicidesSexual AssaultSexual OffensesSexual ViolenceVictimizationViolent CrimeWeapons |
Author: International Alert Title: 'Bad Blood': Perceptions of children born of conflict-related sexual violence and women and girls associated with Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria Summary: This research found that girls and women kidnapped by Nigeria's insurgent group, Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-da'wa wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, face mistrust and persecution upon their return to society. International Alert and UNICEF carried out the research in Borno in northeast Nigeria to understand the impact of communities' and authorities' perceptions of these women, girls and their children on safety, rehabilitation and reintegration opportunities. The report provides policy and programming recommendations to ensure that reintegration and relocation plans are conflict sensitive and support child protection and peace-building outcomes. Details: London: International Alert; Abuja, Nigeria, UNICEF Nigeria, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 29, 2016 at: http://www.international-alert.org/sites/default/files/Nigeria_BadBlood_EN_2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Nigeria URL: Shelf Number: 137996 Keywords: Boko HaramConflict-Related Sexual ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: United Nations Refugee Agency Title: Initial Assessment Report: Protection Risks for Women and Girls in the European Refugee and Migrant Crisis Summary: For the first time since World War II, Europe is experiencing a massive movement of refugees and migrants, women, girls, men and boys of all ages, fleeing armed conflicts, mass killings, persecution and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Many seek refuge in Europe from the ongoing armed conflicts that have torn apart their societies, and are entitled to protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention, its subsequent Protocol, and other international instruments. From January to November 2015, Europe witnessed 950,469 refugee and migrant arrivals through the Mediterranean, with Greece receiving the vast majority of arrivals (797,372). Those arriving by sea are fleeing the Syrian Arab Republic (49%), Afghanistan (20%), Iraq (8%), Eritrea (4%), Nigeria (2%), Pakistan (2%), Somalia (2%), Sudan (1%), Gambia (1%) and Mali (1%). The majority travel to Turkey, from where they undertake a treacherous journey by sea to Greece and then make their way through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria in an attempt to reach their destination countries, including Germany and Sweden. Each day brings new arrivals, and accurate data remains a challenge. Refugees and migrants are travelling en masse, striving urgently to reach their destination from fear of border closures, potentially increased restrictions in asylum policies and the onset of winter. It is a dangerous journey, with refugees and migrants often facing high levels of violence, extortion and exploitation along the way, including multiple forms of SGBV. Single women travelling alone or with children, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, unaccompanied children, early-married children - sometimes themselves with newborn babies - persons with disabilities, and elderly men and women are among those who are particularly at risk and require a coordinated and effective protection response. Concerned by the protection risks faced by women and girls, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) undertook a joint seven-day assessment mission to Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in November 2015. This report describes the assessment's findings and key recommendations for the European Union (EU), transit and destination country governments, humanitarian actors and civil society organizations (CSOs). The assessment found that women and girl refugees and migrants face grave protection risks and that the current response by governments, humanitarian actors, EU institutions and agencies and CSOs are inadequate. The findings emphasize the urgent need to scale up response efforts, implement innovative solutions and strengthen protection mechanisms and services across borders to adequately address the protection threats facing women and girls. In this particular crisis, Europe's response needs to match its international obligations, responsibilities and stated values. There is a need for the European Union, as well as relevant governments in Europe, with the support of protection and humanitarian actors, to strengthen resources dedicated to ensuring effective protection, especially for persons with specific needs and those who are at heightened risk in this crisis. Details: (S.L.): UNHCR, 2016. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 4, 2016 at: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/EuropeMission_Protection_Risks_19_Jan_Final_0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/EuropeMission_Protection_Risks_19_Jan_Final_0.pdf Shelf Number: 138042 Keywords: Gender-Related ViolenceMigrantsRapeRefugeesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Summary: The Department of Justice (department) is committed to assisting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence, and to administer justice when these crimes occur. Through the department's many partnerships with state, local, tribal and territory law enforcement agencies (collectively, law enforcement agencies or LEAs), the department has recognized that many agencies are striving to improve their response to allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, and are seeking assistance and support for these efforts. This guidance document is intended to reflect and further the department's partnership with the police leaders, line officers and detectives who work tirelessly to ensure that policing is free from bias and to uphold the civil and human rights of the communities they serve. The department extends its appreciation to the many police leaders and experts on law enforcement responses to sexual assault and domestic violence who worked with us to develop this guidance and provided us with helpful comments and suggestions. One critical part of improving LEAs' response to allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence is identifying and preventing gender bias in policing practices. Gender bias in policing practices is a form of discrimination that may result in LEAs providing less protection to certain victims on the basis of gender, failing to respond to crimes that disproportionately harm people of a particular gender or offering reduced or less robust services due to a reliance on gender stereotypes. Gender bias, whether explicit or implicit, conscious or unconscious, may include police officers misclassifying or underreporting sexual assault or domestic violence cases, or inappropriately concluding that sexual assault cases are unfounded; failing to test sexual assault kits; interrogating rather than interviewing victims and witnesses; treating domestic violence as a family matter rather than a crime; failing to enforce protection orders; or failing to treat same-sex domestic violence as a crime. In the sexual assault and domestic violence context, if gender bias influences the initial response to or investigation of the alleged crime, it may compromise law enforcement's ability to ascertain the facts, determine whether the incident is a crime, and develop a case that supports effective prosecution and holds the perpetrator accountable. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2015. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2016 at: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/799366/download Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/799366/download Shelf Number: 138163 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Related BiasPolice Policies and PracticesPolice ResponseSexual Violence |
Author: Baughman, Benjamin Title: A Study of Rape Investigation Files Involving Female Survivors: A Comparison of Allegations Deemed False and Genuine. Summary: Determining the veracity of a rape allegation in the absence of incontrovertible evidence is highly problematic and complicated by vagaries of surrounding issues. The purpose of the present study was to utilise a unique, multi-faceted approach with a representative US complete dataset (n=351) to identify the most prominent, distinguishing characteristics between genuine and false allegations. There are reasons to suggest that false allegations will be distinguishable from genuine rapes. The reasons include psychological dynamics such as a false allegers' (not a survivor of rape) reliance on rape myths for their fictitious account. In contrast, genuine reports of rape tend to encompass more specific behavioural details. 17% of the present population were objectively determined to be fabricated. Published results have indicated genuine rapes having a higher quantity and quality of reported actions. Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) was used to identify and categorise co-occurring behaviours, finding thematic consistency in genuine rapes. In contrast, false allegations revealed an erratic structure indicative of the fabricated stories' reliance on rape myths. Thematic structures are consistent with published findings which lends support to the grouping procedure utilised for this thesis. Additionally, a mean number of 6.6 behaviours in false allegations compared to the 9.3 behaviours controlled by the offender in genuine cases were observed. Partial Order Scalogram Analysis with base coordinates (POSAC) allows for using a combination of the most reliably distinguishing characteristics across cases. A developed model provided a unique method of exploring the qualitative and quantitative variations across cases. The eight most distinguishing behaviours were used to calculate a Behavioural Profile Score (BPS) for each incident and supported published results. As another potential means of assessing plausibility, analysis showed that genuine reports of rape contained greater detail as measured by the number of specific behaviours described. Although this thesis has various limitations, the results of three very distinctly different procedures all indicate distinguishable characteristics between genuine and false allegations. Additionally, it demonstrates the significance of myths in shaping actions and provides indications to why so many cases are indeterminate. Details: Huddersfield, UK: University of Huddersfield, 2016. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed March 17, 2016: http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/27856/ Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/27856/ Shelf Number: 138311 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationsRapeRape VictimsSexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Muller, Catherine Title: Violence against Women in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli Military Operation Protective Edge Summary: Following the Israeli military Operation Protective Edge in summer 2014, this reports presents the findings of a study initiated by ActionAid and Alianza por la Solidaridad (Alianza) on violence against women (VAW) in the Gaza Strip, defined as 'any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life'. This study had two aims: First, to paint a wider picture of violence against women across Gaza after the last Israeli military operation, complementing existing qualitative work on subsets of the population. Second, to draw conclusions about what services could be offered to better protect and support survivors of VAW in Gaza, and what interventions can be planned that tackle attitudes and trigger behavioural changes in order to decrease its incidence and prevalence. A survey with a representative sample of women in the Gaza Strip and qualitative interviews, focus groups and roundtable discussions were carried out to learn more about the types of VAW in public and private spaces in Gaza; incidence and prevalence of VAW in public and private spheres; perception of the nature, causes and consequences of VAW; existing avenues of support to survivors of VAW; and to understand its link to military violence in Gaza. The fieldwork for this study took place between April and July 2015; 37 social workers spoke to 440 women who responded to a quantitative questionnaire, and 332 women, 130 men, 7 key community informants and 28 members of civil society organisations in focus group discussions, roundtables and individual interviews to help us gain a wider picture about the types, prevalence and frequency of violence that women aged 17 and above experience across the Gaza Strip. Details: Alianza por la Solidaridad & Action Aid, 2015. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/StudyVAWGazaafterIsraeliMilitaryOperationProtectionEdge2014ApSActionAid.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Palestine URL: http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/StudyVAWGazaafterIsraeliMilitaryOperationProtectionEdge2014ApSActionAid.pdf Shelf Number: 138373 Keywords: Domestic Violence Gender-Related Violence Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Title: Women on the Run: First-Hand Accounts of Refugees Fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico Summary: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is entrusted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly with responsibility for providing international protection to refugees and others of concern and, together with governments, for seeking permanent solutions to their problems. UNHCR would not be able to carry out its essential duties without the support, cooperation, and participation of States around the world. UNHCR provides international protection and direct assistance to refugees in some 125 countries throughout the world. It has over 60 years of experience supervising the international treaty-based system of refugee protection and has twice received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on behalf of refugees. UNHCR works closely with governments and others to ensure that the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol are honored, and that national and regional migration policies are sensitive to the protection needs of all individuals. International refugee protection centers on providing refugees the protection of asylum, ensuring their human rights are respected, and safeguarding the principle of non-refoulement: the prohibition against returning individuals to a place where they would face danger. The protection of women is a core priority of UNHCR at the global, regional, and national levels. Gender inequality systematically prevents women and girls from claiming and enjoying their rights, and is exacerbated by displacement. UNHCR is committed to promoting gender equality and ensuring equal access to protection and assistance so women can fully participate in all decisions affecting their lives. In 2014, for instance, the percentage of females playing active roles in leadership and management structures in refugee communities increased from 42 to 46 per cent;136 UNHCR's sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) reporting and awareness raising led to a doubling of reported incidents in 44 key countries; and women identified access to livelihood options as key to creating self-reliance and sustainable solutions to displacement. UNHCR's Executive Committee has adopted four general conclusions relating specifically to refugee women. These conclusions note the need for UNHCR and host governments to give particular attention to the international protection needs of refugee women; the need for reliable information and statistics about refugee women in order to increase public awareness of their situation; the need for an active senior-level steering committee on refugee women; and the need for the development of training modules on the subject for field officers. The UNHCR Regional Office in Washington, DC covering the United States of America and the Caribbean gives priority to enhancing protection for women arriving in and within the United States, including for women in detention. After coming into contact with increasing numbers of women and families fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, UNHCR undertook this study to understand the challenges they face. The overarching goal for the study was to hear from the women themselves the reasons they fled their countries of origin and the challenges they encountered while seeking protection. The women's voices provide the foundation for the ultimate aim of the study: to document profiles of women from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico with a need for international protection, and provide policy makers and adjudicators with necessary information to bolster regional asylum for women. Details: Washington, DC: UNHCR, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2016 at: http://www.unhcr.org/5630f24c6.html Year: 2015 Country: Central America URL: http://www.unhcr.org/5630f24c6.html Shelf Number: 138557 Keywords: Asylum SeekersGender-Based ViolenceImmigrantsRefugeesSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Women's League of Burma Title: "If they had hope, they would speak": The ongoing use of state sponsored sexual violence in Burma's ethnic communities Summary: Burma Army soldiers continue to engage in acts of sexual violence on a widespread scale, and women and human rights defenders in ethnic communities face harassment and persecution, the Women's League of Burma (WLB) said in a new report published today to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. To achieve sustainable peace and help safeguard the rights of ethnic women, the government of Burma must immediately stop its military offensives in the ethnic areas, pull back its troops and begin political dialogue with the ethnic armed groups towards genuine federalism. The WLB's new report, 'If they had hope, they would speak': The ongoing use of state-sponsored sexual violence in Burma's ethnic communities', highlights 118 incidences of gang-rape, rape, and attempted sexual assault that have been documented in Burma since 2010, in both ceasefire and non-ceasefire areas. This number is believed to be a fraction of the actual number of cases that have taken place. These abuses-which are widespread and systematic-must be investigated, and may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under international criminal law Details: Chiang Mai, Thailand: Women's League of Burma, 2014. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2016 at: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/VAW_Iftheyhadhope_TheywouldSpeak_English.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Burma URL: http://womenofburma.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/VAW_Iftheyhadhope_TheywouldSpeak_English.pdf Shelf Number: 138603 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: MacNeela, Padraig Title: Young People, Alcohol and Sex: What's Consent Got To Do With It? Exploring How Attitudes to Alcohol Impact on Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity: Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity:Judgements about Consent to Sexual Activity: Summary: This qualitative study explores the intersection of university students attitudes to alcohol use and consent to engage in sexual activity. This report describes: - The background to the study - The two qualitative methodologies used to collect and analyse data - The findings that arose from student reactions to hypothetical scenarios of non-consenting sexual activity, and - Discusses the findings in respect of the scope to support change in attitudes to alcohol use and consent. One of the key findings in the extensive RCNI Rape and Justice in Ireland report (Hanley et al., 2009) was the high rate of co-occurrence of heavy drinking with rape, by perpetrators and / or victims. This finding led RCNI to develop a year-long campaign in 2012, titled Calling Time on Sexual Violence and Alcohol. The current study builds on this work to address the links that exist between sexual violence and alcohol use. Internationally, it is recognised that extreme intoxication is a component of how the public understand sexual coercion and rape. For instance, this link underpins a 'double standard' attitude, whereby victims are attributed more responsibility if they had been drinking while perpetrators are often perceived as less responsible (Abbey, 2008). Studies of university student attitudes to alcohol use and non-consenting sexual encounters are not available in the Irish context, so relevant work from other countries will be cited in introducing this study. One reference point in the existing research literature is that of stereotypical rape myths (Ryan, 2011). These myths rely on attitudes and social scripts that support a network of fixed, false beliefs about sexual violence. Such rape myths are linked to the stigmatisation of victims by others. They are also associated with self-stigma, as many women who have been forced to have sex do not label the experience of rape, due to their own internalized expectations for what rape entails (Littleton et al., 2006). Thus, a victim who has been drinking may be less likely to label sexual violence as rape, in the mistaken belief that he or she shares responsibility for the assault. It is not just through rape-specific expectations that preconceptions and stereotypes inform attitudes to nonconsenting sex. Berntson et al. (2013) take a broader view on how college students use scripts and pre-existing expectations to make sense of their relationship experiences. For them, relationships and sexual activity are interpreted through interpersonal sexual scripts that are shared among peers. Berntson et al. suggest that women are more likely to view their sexual activity within a communicative, relationship-based script. They contrast this with the traditional male preference for a recreational script for 'no strings' sex. This picture reflects long-standing cultural norms, in which men and women may be pursuing different, potentially conflicting objectives through sexual activity. It should be noted that gender role differences in expectations for sexual activity may now be changing. According to U.S. research, recreational sexual scripts have gained traction among young adults as an acceptable option for both sexes. This has been seen in the emergence of the 'hook up' culture. Hooking up refers to engaging in sexual behaviours without a pre-existing romantic relationship (Downing-Matibag & Geisinger, 2009). This might include sexual intercourse, but a hook up can also include or be restricted to oral sex, sexual touching, or masturbation. It is at this point that it becomes essential to consider the intersection between attitudes to sex and the impact that alcohol use has for sexual expression among young adults. Alcohol use has been identified as a critical issue for the well-being of young adults who take part in hook ups. In one recent survey of U.S. students, Thomson Ross et al. (2011) found that non-consenting sex was strongly associated with binge drinking and reports of harms arising from alcohol consumption. The link between drinking and non-consenting sex is especially relevant in an Irish context, as, quite apart from the emergence of a hook up culture, alcohol use is a dominant feature of socialising among young adults. For instance, a comparative study of 21 countries established that Irish university students exhibited one of the highest rate of drinking internationally (94%) (Dantzer et al., 2006). Dantzer et al. found no gender difference in the rate of non-drinking among Irish students, whereas in most countries rates of non-drinking are substantially higher among females than males. Ireland is one of several European countries with particularly high rates of alcohol consumption, along with Denmark, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Netherlands (Dantzer et al., 2006). All of these countries have high rates of binge drinking as well, a style of drinking that involves the consumption of large amounts of alcohol within a short period. There is by now little doubt that binge drinking is associated with considerably elevated risks of exposure to alcohol-related harms. These span the physical domain (e.g., injury, blackouts), psychological harms (e.g., lower quality of life, alcohol dependence), and social harms (e.g., higher rates of public disorder convictions, lower academic performance) (Kypri et al., 2009). Following repeated exposure to harms among peer networks, negative events such as a memory blackout or interpersonal conflict may become normalised. It may be the case that these adverse outcomes become accepted as the cost of accommodating heavy drinking as an integral part of the university experience. The degree to which alcohol-related harms such as non-consenting sex, rape, and sexual assault have been normalised is as yet unstudied in the Irish context. Details: Galway: Rape Crisis Network Ireland, 2014. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 12, 2016 at: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Whats-Consent-Full-A41.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Whats-Consent-Full-A41.pdf Shelf Number: 138638 Keywords: Alcohol Related CrimeBinge DrinkingCampus RapeColleges and UniversitiesSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Watson, Joy Title: The role of the state in addressing sexual violence: Assessing policing service delivery challenges faced by victims of sexual offences Summary: The focus of this policy paper will be to look at the role of the state in addressing sexual violence in public and private spaces. Specifically, the focus will be on the policy provisions in terms of service delivery to sexual offences victims in terms of policing and health services and how these services are currently being provided. The paper begins by discussing the prevalence of violence against women globally and in South Africa. It then examines the South African state's response to gender-based violence and the gendered nature of the state's response to addressing violence against women. The paper further examines the response of the criminal justice system, and assesses the service delivery challenges faced by victims of sexual offences at the hands of the police and broader criminal justice system, and the intersection of this with healthcare provision. The paper concludes by making recommendations on how to address these challenges. Details: Cape Town, South Africa: African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: APCOF Policy Paper no. 13: Accessed April 13, 2016 at: http://www.apcof.org/files/9762_APCOF_Brief13.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.apcof.org/files/9762_APCOF_Brief13.pdf Shelf Number: 138648 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Rosay, Andre B. Title: Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men: 2010 Findings From the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Summary: This report examines the prevalence of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men, using a large nationally representative sample from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). More specifically, it provides estimates of sexual violence, physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, and psychological aggression by intimate partners. It also provides estimates of interracial and intraracial victimizations and briefly examines the impact of violence. Results should be used to raise awareness and understanding about violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey The NISVS was launched in 2010 by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the support of the National Institute of Justice and the Department of Defense. This survey provides detailed information about sexual violence, physical violence by an intimate partner, stalking, and psychological aggression by an intimate partner. The analysis in this report is based on two of the samples that were included in the 2010 NISVS - the general population sample and the American Indian and Alaska Native over-sample. These two samples provide information from 2,473 adult women and 1,505 adult men who identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native, alone or in combination with another racial group. Most women (83 percent) and most men (79 percent) were affiliated or enrolled with a tribe or village. For both women and men, more than half (54 percent for both) had lived within reservation boundaries or in an Alaska Native village in the past year. The NISVS has important limitations: Only certain types of victimizations were included, the survey was only administered by phone, and it was not conducted in any indigenous languages. As with other victimization surveys, estimates may be impacted by recall errors and by the continuing stigma associated with disclosing victimizations. Some estimates have large margins of error. Despite these limitations, the survey also has important strengths: It uses behaviorally specific questions and it was administered to a large, nationally representative sample. The survey results provide the most thorough assessment on the extent of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2016. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249736.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/249736.pdf Shelf Number: 139150 Keywords: American IndiansFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceNative AmericansSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Establishing the Connection: Interventions linking service responses for sexual assault with drug or alcohol use/abuse: Final report Summary: Establishing the Connection was a Victorian-based study that aimed to examine the intersections between alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and sexual victimisation and trauma, how both support sectors currently work together, and how they can respond more effectively to the needs of those affected. The study found that: - Participants from both the AOD and the sexual assault sectors demonstrated a practical understanding of the interrelationship between drug and alcohol use and sexual victimisation. The overlap between sexual victimisation and alcohol and other drug use was very relevant for AOD and sexual assault counsellors and managers who were aware of the very large numbers of potentially "shared" clients. - Current practice in the assessment and intake processes in the AOD and sexual assault sectors varies considerably and reflects both the organisational frameworks that guide practice, as well as the initiative and confidence of individuals in the sectors in referring clients to other services. - Factors that hinder collaboration included insufficient resources; uncertainty about how the other sector works; lack of communication; and role creep, which describes the expansion of demands and activities of a job or role over time that are not balanced by additional resources to support them. - Practitioners and managers expressed great interest in expanding their understanding of the other sector through a variety of avenues, some of which included: shared focus on client-centred care; openness to discussion and sharing information; previous interagency collaboration; and policy and governance support. Findings from the report informed the development of practice guidelines to assist service providers with the identification, assessment, response and referral of individuals and families affected by co-occurring sexual abuse victimisation and substance use issues. Details: Alexandria, NSW: National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2016. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: ANROWS Horizons, Issue 02/2016: Accessed May 31, 2016 at: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/Establishing%20the%20Connection%20Horizons.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/Establishing%20the%20Connection%20Horizons.pdf Shelf Number: 139249 Keywords: Alcohol and CrimeDrug Abuse and CrimeRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictims of Crime |
Author: Berridge, Susan Title: Serialised Sexual Violence in Teen Television Drama Series Summary: This thesis examines the kinds of stories about teenage sexual violence that are enabled (or not) by US and British teen television drama series between 1990 and 2008. This genre is centrally concerned with issues of sexuality and, in particular, sexual vulnerability as teenage characters negotiate the transition from childhood to adulthood. Sexual violence narratives are common within this context. This thesis argues that a fuller understanding of representations of sexual violence is enabled by contextualising these narratives in relation to overall series' and generic contexts. I employ a structural methodology to map where these storylines occur within series' and generic structures across fourteen texts, uncovering striking patterns that point to the value of analyzing several programmes alongside one another. This then provides the starting point for a deeper textual analysis of how sexual violence functions narratively and ideologically. Through doing this, I am able to provide insights into a variety of different forces that shape how these narratives are framed. Contextualising my analysis of representations of sexual violence allows me to account for the specificities of episodic and serial narrative forms, the generic hybridity of individual programmes, the wider conventions of the teen drama series genre, the gender of the series' protagonist and US and British contexts. Additionally, I identify the genre's dominant sexual norms and explore how these norms intersect with representations of sexual violence. Details: Glasgow: University of Glasgow, 2010. 269p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2326/1/2010berridgephd.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2326/1/2010berridgephd.pdf Shelf Number: 139287 Keywords: Mass MediaMedia and ViolenceSexual ViolenceTelevision Violence |
Author: Edstrom, Jerker Title: Therapeutic Activism: Men of Hope Refugee Association Uganda Breaking the Silence over Male Rape in Conflict-related Sexual Violence Summary: Men's experiences as victims of sexual and gender-based violence remain little recognised in research, policy or practice. Mainstream narratives generally continue to depict men as perpetrators of violence and women as victims. Yet, having been linked to forced migration in contexts of armed conflict, sexual violence against men is slowly becoming recognised as far more widespread than was previously thought. Responding to this, the Institute of Development Studies approached the Refugee Law Project and Men of Hope Refugee Association Uganda in order to jointly design and carry out a study on collective action among male survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. This report explores one central question addressed by the study: 'despite the odds stacked against them, what makes it possible for male survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to organise and become activists, challenging discriminatory social and gender norms?' The study finds that, despite pervasive discrimination, groups of male survivors have been able to develop resilience and mutual support through collective action. Further, the study finds that third-party service providers and non-governmental organisations can play an important support role in reinforcing the resilience and capacity of male survivors to organise collectively. The report addresses the overarching question through three main sub-questions: 1.How can looking at male survivors of sexual violence help us understand the complexity of men's relationship to sexual and gender-based violence? 2.How and why do groups of male survivors of conflict-related sexual violence respond to their experiences of violence, oppression, stigmatisation and marginalisation, including as refugees? 3.How does the individual agency of male survivors of sexual violence living as refugees interact with collective action to respond to the experience of violence and marginalisation? Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2016. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Empowerment of Women and Girls, Evidence Report No. 182: Accessed June 28, 2016 at: http://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/9995/ER182_TherapeuticActivismMenofHopeRefugeeAssociationUgandaBreakingtheSilenceoverMaleRapeinConflictrelatedSexualViolence.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2016 Country: Uganda URL: http://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/9995/ER182_TherapeuticActivismMenofHopeRefugeeAssociationUgandaBreakingtheSilenceoverMaleRapeinConflictrelatedSexualViolence.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 139444 Keywords: Conflict ViolenceMale RapeSexual Violence |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: "It's Wrong...but you get used to it": A qualitative study of gang-associated sexual violence towards, and exploitation of, young people in England Summary: 1. The research was commissioned by the Office of the Children's Commissioner for England as part of its Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups. The research aimed to consider: the scale and nature of gang-associated sexual violence and exploitation in six areas of England; the main pathways into gang-related sexual violence and exploitation for young people living in these neighbourhoods; and potential models for an effective multi-agency response to the issue. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2013. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 29, 2016 at: http://uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/bitstream/10547/305795/1/Gangs-Report-final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/bitstream/10547/305795/1/Gangs-Report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 131719 Keywords: Child Sexual ExploitationGang-Related ViolenceSexual ExploitationSexual Violence |
Author: Rosay, Andre B. Title: Documentation for Analysis of Violence Against American and Alaska Native Women and Men - 2010 Findings From the National Intimate Partner And Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) by the National Institute of Justice Summary: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) includes eight victimization sections (psychological aggression [PA], coercive control and entrapment [CCE], physical violence [PV], elder abuse - psychological aggression [EPA], elder abuse - coercive control and entrapment [ECCE], elder abuse - physical violence [EPV], stalking [S], and sexual violence [SV]). This document summarizes the structure of the NISVS data and explains how analysis files were created from the original data files provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All of the NISVS analyses by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) should be replicable with the following documentation. Chapter 1 provides an overview of this technical report, and describes the sequence of tasks that NIJ performed to create composites from the original data files. A broad overview on the structure of the NISVS data is then presented in Chapter 2 (additional information is available in CDC documents). More specifically, Chapter 2 provides a summary of (a) how CDC variable names were changed to a simpler structure and (b) perpetrator identifiers can be tracked from question to question, and across sections. Chapter 3 provides an overview of how data were extracted, merged, checked, and cleaned in each victimization section (PA to SV). An overview on sampling and weighting is provided in Chapter 4 (additional information is available in RTI documents). Specific details for each section of the NISVS survey are then provided in Chapters 5 through 12. Chapter 13 provides a detailed summary of data cleaning. Respondent level files are created in Chapter 14 and perpetrator level files are created in Chapters 15 through 17. Chapter 18 provides an overview of the stalking follow‐up questions. Victimization estimates are then computed in Chapter 19. An overview of the sexual violence follow‐up section is presented in Chapter 20. Chapter 21 provides an overview of the general follow‐up section, Chapter 22 provides an overview of the intimate partner section, Chapter 23 provides an overview of the respondent characteristics section, and Chapter 24 provides an overview of the health section. Final data files are then created and documented in Chapter 25. Final codebooks are available separately (see Appendix B and C). Chapter 26 provides documentation for all tables and figures in the full report of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. All syntax files are included in Appendix A. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2016. 392p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 27, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250087.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250087.pdf Shelf Number: 140067 Keywords: Intimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalkingVictimization SurveysVictims of ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Luedke, Alicia, Compiler Title: The Other War: Gang Rape in Somaliland Summary: The Horn of Africa has for decades struggled with chronic occurrences of civil conflict, fragile state structures and tribal and ethnic affiliations opposed to states' modern obligations. The situation for women and girls in the Horn of Africa continues to be characterized by systematic victimization, subordination and their subjection to violence. In contrast to the intentions of limiting women and girls' opportunities and appearances, they are aiming at capitalizing the small space and opportunities they are gaining, leading to their engagement and presence in public life. This report outlines Somaliland's historical development and the clan structures existing in Somaliland. It furthermore sheds light on Somaliland's plural legal system and reflects upon it from a women's rights perspective. It touches upon the existing engendered gerontocracy and the accompanying assumptions of gender roles and realities influencing the lives of women and girls in Somaliland, as well as looking at notions of gender relations and male youth ideologies, particularly highlighting youth frustration with the limitations of the traditional system and the weak of modern statuary legal scheme. The report aims at revealing the layers of sociocultural controversy between the global concepts and praxis of women's rights and their presence in the public sphere and the inherited images of women's subordination. Those aspects are part and parcel of the phenomeon of sexual violence, and in particular multiple perpetrator sexual abuse, in Somaliland. The specific socio-historic and cultural background of Somaliland's clan based system, as well as its plural legal systems are necessary to understand and display the full scope of factors influencing on such cruel instances of sexual violence. The report highlights how the static gender roles imposed by culture and religion are central in putting women and girls further at risk and gives insight into environments and drivers motivating perpetrators of sexual gender based violence to commit such crimes. This report has the objective of raising awareness and strengthening civil society and government efforts to address gang rape in Somaliland. The aim is especially to take a look at the absence of justice, impunity for perpetrators and challenges encountered by Somaliland male and female youth. Details: Kampala- Uganda: Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), 2015. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 29, 2016 at: http://www.sihanet.org/sites/default/files/resource-download/The%20Other%20War%20-%20Gangrape%20in%20Somalialand%20SIHA%20Network.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Somalia URL: http://www.sihanet.org/sites/default/files/resource-download/The%20Other%20War%20-%20Gangrape%20in%20Somalialand%20SIHA%20Network.pdf Shelf Number: 140065 Keywords: Conflict-Related ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Bileski, Matthew Title: The Reporting of Sexual Assault in Arizona, CY 2003-2012 Summary: Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) - 41-2406, which became law in July 2005, requires the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) to compile information obtained from all Arizona disposition reporting forms on sexual assault (A.R.S. - 13-1406) and the false reporting of sexual assault involving a spouse (A.R.S. - 13-2907.03). The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides the ACJC with the necessary records to meet the requirement. Utilizing DPS arrest and disposition data, ACJC is mandated to provide an annual sexual assault report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records. The data used to complete this report are extracted by DPS from the Arizona Computerized Criminal History (ACCH) records system and provided to ACJC in January on an annual basis. By statute, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts are required to submit to the ACCH repository information on all arrests and subsequent case disposition information for felonies, sexual offenses, driving under the influence offenses, and domestic violence-related offenses. This report focuses on data from calendar years (CY) 2003 to 2012 and updates data reported in the CY2002 to 2011 report. The ACJC is required to report on law enforcement reporting, charge filings, and subsequent case disposition findings (specifically convictions) and sentencing of A.R.S. - 13-1406 sexual assault charges, A.R.S. - 13-1406.01 sexual assault involving a spouse charges, and - 13-2907.03 false reporting of sexual assault of a spouse charges. In addition to the mandatory sexual assault statutes, data in the report include A.R.S. - 13-1423 violent sexual assault arrest and disposition information reported to ACCH. The following summarizes some of the latest findings in year-over-year change from CY 2011 to CY 2012 for all sexual assault-related2 arrest and disposition information available in the ACCH: - The total number of arrests involving sexual assault increased from 277 in CY 2011 to 306 in CY 2012, and arrest charges also increased from 562 to 584 over the same period. A total of two arrests were made involving violent sexual assault in CY 2012, accounting for 14 violent sexual assault charges. - Over 99 percent of sexual assault-related arrestees in CY 2012 were male, an increase from 98.1 percent reported in CY 2011. The majority of arrestees continued to be white/Caucasian and under the age of 25. - Sexual assault-related arrests flagged for domestic violence increased from 33 arrests in CY 2011 to 42 arrests in CY 2012. - Convictions for sexual assault-related charges decreased from 219 in CY 2011 to 126 in CY 2012. Also in CY 2012, court dismissals outnumbered convictions at 132. - Convictions for sexual assault charges involving domestic violence remained unchanged at eight in CY 2011 and CY 2012; however, court dismissals rose from 10 to 28 during the same period. No convictions were reported for violent sexual assault and sexual assault involving a spouse charges in CY 2011 and CY 2012. - The percentage of sexual assault convictions that resulted in a sentence of probation fell from 85.4 percent in CY 2011 to 73.8 percent in CY 2012. The percentage of convictions that resulted in a sentence to prison fell from 51.1 percent in CY 2011 to 50.8 percent in CY 2012, and sentences to jail fell from 3.7 percent to 2.4 percent over the same period. Further, sentences were all, or in part, suspended for 45.2 percent of convictions in both CY 2011 and CY 2012. Details: Phoenix: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, 2014. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 30, 2016 at: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2014%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report%20Final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.azcjc.gov/ACJC.Web/Pubs/Home/2014%20ARS%2041-2406%20Report%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 140089 Keywords: Crime StatisticsRapeSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual AssaultsSexual Violence |
Author: Clark, T.C. Title: Sexual and reproductive health and sexual violence among New Zealand secondary school students. Findings from the Youth'12 national youth health and wellbeing survey Summary: This report presents findings from Youth'12, the third national health and well-being survey of secondary school students in New Zealand. This is New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive survey of the health and well-being of New Zealand's young people in secondary schools. Included in the survey are a range of factors that impact on the healthy development of young people, including family/whanau, community, education and social environments. This report focuses on reporting the sexual violence experiences and the sexual and reproductive health of students in secondary schools. The information in this report was provided by a representative sample of 8,500 students from secondary schools throughout New Zealand in 2012. There are three parts to this report: (1) Experience of unwanted sexual contact, (2) Sexual and reproductive health and (3) Ethnic specific information for Maori and Pacific students. Also reported are selected time trends from the 2001, 2007 and 2012 surveys. Details: Auckland, NZ: University of Auckland, Adolescent Health Research Group, 2016. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Youth2000Survey Series: Accessed September 7, 2016 at: https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/assets/fmhs/faculty/ahrg/docs/Sexual%20Health%20Report%20Final%209%206%2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: New Zealand URL: https://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/assets/fmhs/faculty/ahrg/docs/Sexual%20Health%20Report%20Final%209%206%2016.pdf Shelf Number: 147892 Keywords: Adolescent HealthAdolescentsSex CrimesSexual Violence |
Author: Wittes, Benjamin Title: Closing the sextortion sentencing gap: A legislative proposal Summary: On the surface, at least, the sextortion case of Joseph Simone seems far more egregious than does that of Joshua Blankenship. Simone was a wrestling coach at a prestigious preparatory high school in Providence, Rhode Island. He was charged with sextorting "numerous" minor males; prosecutors estimated that he had exploited at least 22 young boys through a social media manipulation scheme, pretending to be a young girl when soliciting initial nude images, and then threatening to release those initial images on Facebook if the boys did not perform more sex acts. Blankenship also ran a social media manipulation scheme - but in this instance, against a single minor female in Maryland, convincing her that she had broken the law herself by sending out a nude photo, and demanding more images in exchange for not telling the police. But Blankenship was sentenced in federal court, whereas Simone faced trial in state court in Rhode Island, specifically in the Providence Superior Court. The result? The man with at least 22 victims was sentenced to one year in prison and two more in home confinement. By contrast, Blankenship, who had only one victim, received 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal child exploitation charges. What sort of sentence does conduct like Simone's get a man in federal court? Another sextortionist, William T. Koch, was convicted in a federal court in Ohio on charges that he too extorted 20 minor males, with one victim as young as 11-years-old. Koch was sentenced to 20 years in prison on federal charges of extortion, exploitation of a minor, and receipt and distribution of child pornography. Sextortionists dont get to decide which jurisdiction prosecutes them. They do, however, get to choose their victims. And it matters a great deal which ones they choose. Mark Reynolds was sentenced to 14 years in prison on one federal charge of possession of child pornography for sextorting one minor female using a social media manipulation scheme. Contrast that with Adam Paul Savader, who sextorted between 15 and 45 adult women and received a paltry sentence of two-and-a-half years in federal prison. Savader was convicted on charges of interstate extortion and stalking. Reynolds received eleven-and-a-half years more in prison than did Savader, even though Savader potentially had up to 44 more victims. Federal law seems to care a great deal more about children than it does about adult women. Details: Washington, DC: Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution, 2016. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2016 at: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sextortion2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sextortion2.pdf Shelf Number: 147931 Keywords: Child Pornography Computer Crime Cybersecurity Online Victimization Sex Crimes Sexting SextortionSexual Violence |
Author: Browne, Angela Title: Examining Criminal Justice Responses To and Help-Seeking Patterns of Sexual Violence Survivors with Disabilities Summary: Despite national survey estimates indicating a sharp increase in rates of violent victimization and an increased risk of serious outcomes for people with reported disabilities compared to people without reported disabilities,i few studies have examined criminal justice responses to and help-seeking patterns of sexual assault survivors with disabilities. Goals of this exploratory study were to: 1. Describe criminal justice reporting of sexual assault against persons with disabilities (e.g., number and source of reports, characteristics of survivors and perpetrators, case characteristics, and case outcomes) using administrative and case file data from a large metropolitan area's District Attorney's Office (DAO)ii consisting of all sexual assault cases involving adults from 2008 to 2013 when the reported victim had a disability/was Deaf; 2. Assess how cases of sexual assault survivors with disabilities proceeded through the criminal court system, using administrative data, case file reviews, and Assistant District Attorney and Victim-Witness Advocate informational interviews; and 3. Describe help-seeking experiences of sexual assault survivors with disabilities from formal and informal sources, including influences on how and where they seek help, their experiences in reporting, barriers to reporting, and outcomes of this reporting, drawn from interviews with community-based survivors and service providers. Details: New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2016. 87p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250196.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/250196.pdf Shelf Number: 145107 Keywords: Sexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of CrimeVictims with Disabilities |
Author: Parkes, Jenny Title: A Rigorous Review of Global Research Evidence on Policy Summary: This rigorous literature review was commissioned by UNICEF, with the aim of examining research evidence on approaches to addressing school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV). While the scope of the review was global, an emphasis was placed on research in low- and middle-income countries. The review addressed the following questions: 1. What does research evidence tell us about the kinds of policies and practices being used to address SRGBV, and in what contexts, around the world? What concepts and ideas underpin these interventions, and what are the implications for addressing SRGBV? 2. What is the evidence on how interventions on SRGBV engage with education policy processes at and across national, district and local levels, and with contextual features, including political, economic and social conditions? 3. How can research evidence and data-gathering tools be used effectively to inform policy and practice on SRGBV across a range of settings? The conceptual approach taken viewed SRGBV as multi-dimensional, including physical, sexual and psychological acts of violence that are underpinned by norms, stereotypes and inequalities and shaped by institutions. Details: London: University College London, Institute of Education, 2016. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2016 at: http://www.unicef.org/education/files/SRGBV_review_FINAL_V1_web_version.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef.org/education/files/SRGBV_review_FINAL_V1_web_version.pdf Shelf Number: 145893 Keywords: Gender-Related ViolenceSchool ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Girls |
Author: Unizon Title: Pornography and Prostitution: a report on exploitation and demand Summary: Report on the links between pornography and gender-based violence, including legal policy proposals for Sweden with US comparisons. Part I (pp. 1-30) is written by Unizon (Swedish women's shelter umbrella NGO) and based on primary data from their member organizations. Part II (pp. 31-108) is written by Max Waltman in collaboration with Unizon. The four chapters in part II is based on Waltman's PhD dissertation (2014), making an analytical summary of the existing research, then followed by legal policy proposals. Adopting a problem-driven theoretical approach, the reality of pornography's harms is analyzed. Evidence shows its production exploits existing inequalities among persons typically drawn from other forms of prostitution who suffer multiple disadvantages, such as extreme poverty, childhood sexual abuse, and race and gender discrimination, making survival alternatives remote. Consumption is divided by sex. A majority of young adult men consumes pornography frequently; women rarely do, usually not unless initiated by others. After consumption, studies show many normal men become substantially more sexually aggressive and increasingly trivialize and support violence against women. Vulnerable populations - including among others battered, raped, or prostituted women - are most harmed as a result. The report concludes with a chapter outlining legal policy proposals. It analyzes their real and imagined obstacles and potential to address real empirically documented harms with law. First, a proposal for applying existing procuring provisions on production of pornography is made since pornographers literally "promote," and typically also "improperly economically exploit" that persons have sex for remuneration. Case law shows that freedom of expression is not an obstacle, so long as an application of general law on offenses committed during production does not directly target the dissemination of otherwise constitutionally protected expressive materials (cf. conviction of Anna Odell's Art Activism 2009, and convictions of rapists who systematically filmed their offenses to make pornography). Second, a legislation against dissemination via similar amendments in the Swedish basic law as for child pornography or alcohol commercials is proposed, but based on a more precise and narrowly tailored definition of the graphic sexually explicit subordinating, and dehumanizing and objectifying pornography that evidence-based research show causes more gender-based violence. Civil rights legislation against such sex discrimination is recommended, among other things since studies of the application of criminal pornography laws show serious deficiencies or non-enforcement when the initiative does not lie among those affected - an approach that does not account effectively for their perspectives and interests. The latter can be represented by actors with stronger incentives (e.g., women's shelter organizations) than disinterested, desensitized, or over-worked police officers and prosecutors. Details: Stockholm: Unizon, 2016. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2016 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2846737 Year: 2016 Country: Sweden URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2846737 Shelf Number: 140805 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolencePornographyProstitutionSex WorkersSexual Violence |
Author: Lezhnev, Sasha Title: A Criminal State: Understanding and countering institutionalized corruption and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo Summary: he Democratic Republic of Congo is not a failed state—for everyone. It is a failure for the vast majority of Congolese who suffer from abysmal security, health care, and education services. However, it is an efficient state for ruling elites and their commercial partners who seek to extract or traffic resources at the expense of Congo's development. Over the past 130 years, Congo has had many elements of violent kleptocracy, a system of state capture in which ruling networks and commercial partners hijack governing institutions and maintain impunity for the purpose of resource extraction and for the security of the regime. Ruling networks utilize varying levels of violence to maintain power and repress dissenting voices. This system plays out today with the current regime’s attempt to subvert a democratic transition. President Joseph Kabila and his associates profit from grand corruption and are trying by all means necessary to hold on to power. From King Leopold II over a century ago to Kabila today, Congo’s leaders have redirected billions of dollars from the Congolese state and people, and have used brutal violence at times to gain or maintain the ultimate prize: control of the state and its vast natural resource base. During Kabila’s tenure, up to $4 billion per year has gone missing or been stolen due to the manipulation of mining contracts, budgets, and state assets. This follows trends set by King Leopold, the Belgian colonial authorities, Mobutu Sese Seko, and Kabila’s father who preceded him as president before his assassination. These regimes have partnered with commercial actors to rob Congolese people of their valuable natural resource assets. These leaders' international partners have also profited significantly, some of whom reportedly have paid large bribes to do so. For example, in a recent U.S. Department of Justice plea agreement, the U.S. hedge fund Och-Ziff asserted that some of its business partners, including Israeli businessman Dan Gertler according to sources familiar with the case, paid over $100 million in bribes to Congolese officials in order to receive billions of dollars worth of mineral concessions at very low prices. Violence has been the systemic companion of these regimes. It is estimated that 5.4 million people have died and hundreds of thousands have been subjected to sexual violence in conflict during the rule of Joseph Kabila and that of his father, Laurent Kabila, with the active participation of neighboring states in the killing and looting inside Congo, particularly Rwanda and Uganda. This is in addition to structural violence and repression. Based on field and historical research, this study argues that President Kabila and his close associates rely in large part on theft, violence, and impunity to stay in power at the expense of the country’s development. From the days of Leopold to the present, top officials in Congo and their associates have created seven “pillars” of violent kleptocracy. They are: Let the security forces pay themselves. Mobutu said, “You have guns, you don’t need a salary.” In order to prevent being overthrown by force, the regime allows army commanders to become wealthy by exploiting resources and citizens, thus fueling cycles of conflict. Stay in power, or possibly lose everything. Leaving office can mean that regime-connected elites lose their ill-gotten gains and immunity from prosecution. Pro-democracy movements are thus repressed, often violently, as they are threats to the corrupt system. Ensure there is little to no accountability for regime-connected elites. Impunity is the glue that holds the system together. Judicial systems target regime opponents or low-level figures, not high-level perpetrators of corruption or human rights abuses. Create parallel state structures and co-opt rebel groups to weaken political threats. Parallel chains of command are set up to ensure loyalty; rebels are brought into the army without vetting or real integration. The bloated army then commits abuses and collaborates with armed groups. Ensure that high-level officials benefit from corruption. If appointed to a military post or government office, the official is expected to pass payments up the chain. This system, “rapportage,” has led the real tax burden for Congolese citizens to be around 55 percent. Personally profit from natural resource deals, underspend on services, and hijack reforms. The regime receives bribes from certain outsiders to sell resources at very low prices, then outsiders flip them for large profits, depriving the Congolese state of massive revenue. Transparency reforms such as the Extractive Indsutries Transparency Initiative (EITI) help a bit, but the main vehicles for corruption—state-owned companies and their foreign shell company partners—remain opaque. The government deliberately underspends on public services, as its focus is on patronage. Confuse everyone by creating uncertainty on policies in order to increase corruption. The government creates institutions that contradict its own laws or policies, and state agencies impose and collect their own taxes, which increases predation. These “pillars” have made the Congolese state largely an institutional façade for an enterprise of theft and predation. This is why the government resists serious reform of its army, justice sector, and state-owned companies, which are at the heart of many crises in Congo. This has had devastating effects, as average Congolese citizens earn less than they did in the 1970s in real prices. The system coexists with a formal side in which the state performs some functions, and some basic infrastructure financed by China has been built. However, there is a logic as to why Congo has not developed into a more peaceful, capable state. A weak state that provides few services but keeps army commanders busy, mineral wealth opaque, and impunity continuous for regime leaders serves them by allowing them to maximize profits and maintain power. The unique networks controlling kleptocratic systems often contain the seeds of their own demise, and Mobutu’s control of Congo’s kleptocracy was no different. The focus on patronage led to gross economic inefficiency, divide and rule strategies created escalating opposition which spilled over into rebellion, and when Mobutu’s patronage money ran low, elites and the population turned against him. As Mobutu’s network frayed and began to collapse, his decision to support the former Rwandan army and militias that had committed the 1994 genocide and escaped across the border into Congo led to the decision by Rwanda and Uganda to invade Congo, in turn leading to the deadliest war in the world since World War II. Some of these seeds of demise and instability are reappearing today. Shifting the analytical lens from failed state to kleptocratic state. The international community largely analyzes Congo as a fragile or failed state, pumping in aid and peacekeeping assistance to make up for the lack of investment or interest in the provision of state services. Official aid to Congo averaged $2.6 billion annually from 2006 to 2013. Meanwhile, the Kabila regime starves state services. Just one example: while his presidential cabinet received nearly triple its planned budget in 2015 ($88 million), the electoral commission received only one-third its budget ($69 million). If international policymakers are to have a real impact in helping Congolese reformers actually reform the system, they need to shift lenses. They should view the current situation in Congo as the latest iteration of a longer pattern of violence and corruption, and respond accordingly. Policies should focus on creating significant consequences for those most responsible for the system of violence, corruption, and undermining of democracy. This can be done by creating new leverage using tools of financial pressure normally reserved for countering nuclear proliferation and terrorism aimed at isolating certain leaders from the international financial system, and increasing support for Congolese civil society organizations and journalists to hold the government accountable. Policy goals should be two-fold: to create accountability for financial and human rights crimes; and to create new leverage for peace, human rights, and governance reforms. The West has as-yet unrealized and unutilized leverage with the regime, as Congo’s officials and international commercial partners use U.S. dollars for transactions, thus touching the western banking system. This combination would much more strongly support Congolese efforts to change the system and enhance good governance. Recommendations Financial pressure: For a policy of financial pressure aimed at reforms, the United States and other actors within the international community should combine the use of anti-money laundering measures with widened, enforced targeted sanctions designations. This would comprise a new and unique financial pressure approach that would create real leverage in support of processes that can bring change in Congo. The objective would be to freeze out of the international financial system those committing atrocities and undermining peace. Congress should ensure that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has sufficient resources and direction to undertake investigations and enforcement. Enacting anti-money laundering measures. The U.S. Treasury Department and key African and European government financial intelligence units (FIUs) should work in partnership to take measures to counter money laundering activities that transit through banks in Congo and abroad. For example, the U.S. FIU, known as the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), should issue a public advisory concerning the patterns used to launder the proceeds of corruption from Congo, as well as any other sets of transactions that may represent money laundering activity, such as elements of the gold trade. Such an advisory should include, where possible, discussion of the correspondent banking channels used by Congolese and regional banks to connect to the international financial system. Other FIUs should take similar advisory steps, which collectively should urge banks and other financial institutions to conduct stronger due diligence and provide more reporting on suspicious transactions. However, given the relevance of the U.S. dollar to transactions that underlie kleptocratic activity in Congo, an advisory from FinCEN would be the strongest first step. FinCEN and FIUs from African governments, such as South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania, should collaborate on information sharing, capacity building programs, and enforcement to make these advisories and the subsequent investigations more effective. Enhancing targeted sanctions. The United States, European Union, African Union, Southern African Development Community, and the United Nations Security Council each have their own sanctions frameworks and authorities. These governments or bodies should learn the lessons of past sanctions by using these authorities to impose targeted sanctions, aggressively enforce those sanctions, and place other financial pressure on senior officials, business owners, banks, and armed commanders that comprise the leadership of the kleptocratic network that is responsible for perpetrating and/or benefiting from violence, autocracy, and corruption in Congo. Where necessary, additional sanctions authorities should be adopted, such as a new executive order in the United States and the equivalent in other countries, that enable measures that target those benefitting from public corruption or misappropriation of state assets. Accountability: The International Criminal Court (ICC), the United States, Central and East African nations, and European states should use judicial tools to target the facilitators of violence, prosecute corruption-related crimes, and bolster atrocity crimes cases with a strategy to target assets stolen by those responsible for serious crimes to impose real accountability. Targeting the facilitators of violence and prosecuting pillage. The ICC and national courts with appropriate jurisdiction should investigate serious ongoing crimes in Congo including aiding and abetting atrocities perpetrated by armed groups. These courts should also investigate the war crime of natural resource pillage, particularly related to gold. Seizing criminally derived assets. The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor should seize criminally derived assets in relation to its current and future Congo cases and develop a wider strategy for asset seizures across all cases. It should revive the ICC financial crimes unit. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative should investigate and locate the proceeds of grand corruption and organized violence in Congo and use asset forfeiture provisions to recover those assets and return them to the communities from which they were stolen. Prosecuting corruption-related crimes. The U.S. Department of Justice, under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other relevant statutes, as well as its European counterparts, e.g. in Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Norway, should investigate and prosecute embezzlement, extortion, and other crimes related to corruption. Good governance and transparency: The overall objective of policymakers should be a reformed, functional state that is responsive to Congolese citizens’ needs. While pursuing financial and legal pressure to create immediate costs for current corrupt and violent behavior, the U.S., European, African, Asian, and multilateral institutions should support long-term democratic and transparency processes, governance reforms, and needed capacities by taking the following steps: Reforming Aid. Capacity building programs in all sectors need to be reconceived so that they no longer reinforce existing corrupt institutions, as where there is no political will for reform they will not have the desired impact. Donor countries should undertake a top-to-bottom review to focus only on aiding institutions that are in the process of reform. Donors must incorporate strong accountability and oversight measures in state capacity building and security sector programs in Congo and be willing to defund or reject projects if the government fails to include safeguards to prevent corruption. For example, an aid program should not only give equipment and training to ministry officials, but also require that the ministry pay salaries on time and its anti-corruption unit actively pursue corruption cases. Congress should play a constructive role in ensuring aid is well targeted and require oversight and reporting related to state capacity building programs. Pressing for the publication of financial reports and audits of state-owned companies and the China contract. The United States, European countries, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and mining companies investing in Congo should strongly encourage President Kabila and the DRC Minister of Portfolio to require that key state-owned companies such as Gécamines and SOKIMO publish detailed annual financial statements. Furthermore, there should be an independent, third-party audit conducted and published of the companies and the expenditures related to the $6.2 billion Congo-China agreement, an opaque arrangement. Strengthening EITI implementation and urge completion of the Mining Code review. The United States, the African Development Bank, European states, and the World Bank should strengthen Extractive Indsutries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementation in Congo by pressing for EITI reports to disclose the expenditures of state-owned companies, as required by EITI, pushing for full beneficial ownership disclosure, particularly for partners of state-owned companies, and following up on contract transparency. Also, the United States, European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, and mining companies investing in Congo should urge the Congolese government to complete the Mining Code review with the full participation of civil society. Supporting civil society with increased legal aid, protection, and capacity building. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), European donor agencies, the African Union, and the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) should increase democracy support, particularly legal aid and protection support, to civil society, faith-based, and women’s groups to enable them to function as a more effective watchdog on democracy and corruption. In addition, the U.N. Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and international donors should increase their protection of human rights defenders. Details: Washington, DC: Enough, 2016. 121p. Source: Internet Resource: Violent Kleptocracy Series: East & Central Africa: Accessed October 27, 2016 at: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/A_Criminal_State_Enough_Oct2016_web.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Congo, Democratic Republic URL: http://www.enoughproject.org/files/A_Criminal_State_Enough_Oct2016_web.pdf Shelf Number: 140856 Keywords: Bribery Conflict-Related Violence Mining Companies Natural Resources Political Corruption Sexual ViolenceViolence |
Author: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Title: Violence Against Children in Haiti: Findings from a National Survey 2012 Summary: The 2012 Violence against Children Survey (VACS) in Haiti is the first national survey of violence against children in the Republic of Haiti. Implemented in June of 2012 the VACS is a nationally representative household survey of females and males 13 to 24 years of age that is based on a three–stage cluster design that yields separate estimates of experiences of sexual, physical, and emotional violence prior to age 18 years for both females and males in Haiti. The survey incorporated standard enumeration areas, known as Section d'Enumération (SDE), as well as the internally displaced persons (IDP) living in camps/tent settlements resulting from the 2010 earthquake. There were a total of 2916 completed interviews: 1457 females with an overall response rate 85.6% and 1459 males with overall response rate 82.0%. The primary purpose of the survey was to estimate the (1) lifetime prevalence of childhood violence, defined as violence occurring before 18 years of age and (2) prevalence of childhood violence in the 12 months prior to the survey among 13 to 17 year olds. The survey included a short questionnaire for an adult in the household to build rapport with the family and to determine current socio-economics of the household. The respondent questionnaire for 13 to 24 year olds includes the following topics: demographics; socioeconomic status; parental relations; education; general connectedness to family, friends, and community; marital status; domestic servitude; displacement following the January 2010 earthquake; sexual behavior and practices; sex in exchange for money or goods; pregnancy; HIV/ AIDS testing; experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual violence; health outcomes associated with exposure to violence; and utilization and barriers to services. The findings from the survey indicate that violence against children is a serious problem in Haiti: 1 out of 4 females and 1 out of 5 males in Haiti have experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to the age of 18 years. In addition, almost two-thirds of both females and males experienced physical violence prior to 18 years by an adult household members or authority figures in the community and approximately one-third experienced emotional violence during childhood (i.e., prior to turning 18) by an adult household member. The results of this survey have significant implications for the design and implementation of Haitian specific prevention and response programs and policies to address abuse and violence against children. The 2012 VACS Haiti would not have been possible without the partnership and collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development (INURED), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Multi-Sectoral Task Force known as the Comité de Coordination (CC), and Together for Girls Partnership. The guidance and creation of the CC, which includes representation from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Ministry of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Brigade for the Protection of Minors, and other key governmental and non–governmental partners, was critical to the survey’s success. KEY FINDINGS Prevalence of Violence against Children Sexual violence (sexual abuse and exploitation) experienced in childhood: One out of 4 females aged 13 to 24 years in Haiti experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse before turning 18 years of age. Among males in the same age group, 1 out of 5 experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to the age of 18. Among those who experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to age 18 years, 69.5% of females and 85.4% of males had multiple incidents (i.e., two or more incidents) of sexual abuse. The most common form of sexual abuse experienced by both females and males before the age of 18 was unwanted sexual touching, followed by unwanted attempted sex. Of those who had their first sexual intercourse prior to age 18, 1 out of 5 females and 1 out of 10 males experienced their first sexual intercourse as unwilling, meaning that they were forced or coerced to engage in sexual intercourse. In the 12 months preceding the survey, nearly 1 out of 5 females and 1 out of 10 males aged 13 to 17 years experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse. About 4% of females and 7% of males received money, food, gifts, or other favors in exchange for sex prior to age 18 years. Physical violence experienced in childhood: Almost two-thirds of both females and males aged 18 to 24 years in Haiti experienced physical violence by adult household members or authority figures in the community, such as teachers, prior to the age of 18 years. Approximately one-third of females and males aged 13 to 17 years experienced physical violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Ninety percent of females and 85.7% of males aged 13–17 years perceived that their most recent experience of physical violence by an adult household member or authority figure in the past 12 months was intended as disciplinary action or punishment. Emotional violence experienced in childhood: Approximately one-third of both females and males in Haiti experienced emotional violence by an adult household member prior to turning 18 years of age. Nearly thirty percent (27.8%) of females and 16.2% of males aged 13 to 17 years experienced emotional violence by an adult household member in the 12 months preceding the survey. Overlap of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Violence in Childhood Sexual, physical, and emotional violence commonly overlapped in childhood in Haiti. One-third of females and one out of 4 males aged 13 to 24 years experienced multiple types of violence prior to age 18. Females were significantly more likely to experience multiple forms of violence during childhood than males. Perpetrators of Violence against Children Perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse: Boyfriends or romantic partners followed by friends or classmates, neighbors, and strangers were the most frequent perpetrators of first incidents of child sexual abuse. Among males of similar age, friends or classmates followed by girlfriends or romantic partners were the most frequently reported perpetrators of first incidents of childhood sexual abuse. More than three quarters of females and approximately one-third of males who experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18 reported that the perpetrator of their first incident of abuse was at least 5 years older than they were at the time of the incident. Perpetrators of childhood physical violence: Among 18–24 year olds who experienced physical violence before turning 18 by an adult household member or an authority figure in the community, approximately 6 out of 10 females and males experienced at least one incident of child physical violence by a mother and/or father. In the same group more than 8 out of 10 females and males that had experienced physical violence had at least one incident of physical violence that was perpetrated by a teacher, more commonly a male teacher. Similar patterns of perpetration were observed among 13–17 year olds who experienced physical violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Perpetrators of childhood emotional violence: Among 18–24 year olds who had any incidents of emotional abuse prior to age 18, approximately 4 out of 10 females and males experienced at least one incident of child emotional violence by a mother. Furthermore, approximately one-third of both females and males in this same group experienced at least once incident of child emotional violence by a father. Among females 13–17 year olds who had any incidents of emotional abuse in 12 months prior to the survey, more than half experienced emotional violence by a mother. Context of Childhood Sexual Violence Against Children Where the sexual abuse occurred: Almost 6 out of 10 of both females and males who had experienced sexual violence prior to age 18 indicated that at least one of their experiences of sexual abuse took place in their own home or tent, or the home or tent of the perpetrator. The most common location, however, for both females and males was their own home or tent. About 1 in 5, 18–24 year old females reported an incident occurred on a road. Among 13–17 year old females and males the most common location for the most recent incident of sexual abuse occurring during the last year was on a road. Childhood Domestic Servitude and Violence Childhood domestic servitude was significantly associated with experiencing sexual and emotional violence prior to age 18 among both females and males aged 18 to 24 years. Among 13–17 year olds, female domestic servants were significantly more likely than peers who were not servants to have experienced sexual and physical violence in the preceding 12 months, while emotional violence was more likely in both male and female domestic servants. Sexual Abuse Among Displaced Populations Approximately a quarter of 13 to 24 year olds were displaced or moved due to the earthquake. Not all of those who were displaced moved to camps. About 1 in 5 respondents lived in a camp or resettled area following the earthquake in 2010 for any period of time. Overall, displacement following the earthquake was not associated with experiencing sexual abuse subsequent to the earthquake among females aged 13–24. However, females aged 13–24 years displaced into or living in camps or tent settlements specifically, were significantly more likely to have experienced sexual abuse after the earthquake as compared to all females aged 13–24 years, displaced or not, who were not living in camps or tent settlements. Surprisingly, for males aged 13–24 displacement following the earthquake was protective of sexual abuse subsequent to the earthquake and living in camps or tent settlements was not associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse. Service Uptake for Violence Approximately 6 out of 10 females and 4 out of 10 males aged 18 to 24 years who experienced child sexual abuse prior to age 18 years told someone about an incident of sexual abuse. Only 1 out of 10 females and 1 out of 15 males who experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18 received any professional services of any kind, including medical, mental health, legal, or protection services, for the sexual abuse. Approximately 1 out of 10 females and males who experienced physical violence prior to age 18 received any professional services of any kind for an incident of physical violence. Health Outcomes of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Violence Females aged 18–24 years who experienced any sexual abuse or any physical or emotional violence prior to age 18 were more likely to have been diagnosed or have had symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) as compared to those who did not experience any of these incidents. Furthermore, females who experienced child emotional violence were also more likely to have ever experienced suicidal ideation. Sixteen percent of females who experienced unwanted completed sex prior to age 18 became pregnant as a result of at least one of the incidents. Males who experienced any emotional violence prior to age 18 were more likely to ever experience suicidal ideation as well as to have been diagnosed with or have had symptoms of an STI as compared to those who did not experience emotional violence. Females aged 13–17 who experienced sexual abuse in the past year reported significantly higher rates of drinking alcohol, suicidal ideation, and diagnoses or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections as compared to those who did not experience sexual violence. In addition, females aged 13–17 who experienced physical or emotional violence in the past year were significantly more likely to report serious mental distress than those who did not experience either type of violence. The experience of emotional violence among females aged 13–17 was also significantly associated with suicidal ideation and having a diagnoses or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections when compared to those who did not experience emotional violence. Sexual Abuse and HIV/AIDS Testing Knowledge and Testing Behaviors Approximately two-thirds of females aged 18–24 years who experienced any sexual abuse prior to age 18 knew where to go for an HIV test, however, less than half were ever tested. Among males of similar age, half of those who experienced any sexual abuse prior to age 18 knew where to go for an HIV test and only 1 out of 10 were ever tested. Violence and Sexual Risk Taking Behavior The study examined the prevalence of sexual risk taking behaviors in the 12 months prior to the survey among 19 to 24 year olds and their association with childhood violence in order to ensure exposure to childhood violence preceded involvement in sexual risk taking behavior. Over a third (36.4%) of sexually active females aged 19–24 years who experienced child sexual abuse had multiple sex partners in the past 12 months compared to 29.4% of 19–24 year old females who had not experienced child sexual abuse. Females aged 19–24 years who experienced child physical violence were more likely to have received gifts, food, or favors in exchange for sex during the past 12 months compared to those who had not experienced child physical violence. Females aged 19–24 years who experienced childhood emotional violence were more likely to use condoms infrequently in the last 12 months compared to those who had not experienced childhood emotional violence. Attitudes towards Spousal Violence and the Role of Gender in Sexual Practices and Intimate Partner Violence Nearly half of all females and 2 out of 5 of males aged 13–17 years believed that a man is justified in hitting or beating his wife if she goes out without telling him, if she neglects the children, if she argues with him, if she refuses to have sex with him, or if she burns the food. More than half of females and males aged 13–17 years believed that it is men who should decide when to have sex, that men need more sex than women, that men need other women, that women who carry condoms are "loose", or that women should tolerate violence in order to keep their family together. Details: Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2016 at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/violence-haiti.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Haiti URL: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/violence-haiti.pdf Shelf Number: 144993 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseSexual ViolenceViolence against Children |
Author: Hamel, Christelle Title: Rape and sexual assault in France: initial findings of the VIRAGE survey Summary: How common are rape and other forms of sexual assault in France today? In what contexts, and at what ages do they occur? In 2015, the French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) conducted a large-scale survey of violence and gender relations (Violence et rapports de genre, VIRAGE), on a large sample of respondents representative of the French population aged 20- 69. Their answers to the survey questions provide a detailed picture of the sexual violence experienced by women and men in France. Details: Paris: French Institute for Demographic Studies, 2016. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Population & Societies no. 537: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/25953/538.population.societies.2016.november.rape.agression.sexual.en.pdf Year: 2016 Country: France URL: https://www.ined.fr/fichier/s_rubrique/25953/538.population.societies.2016.november.rape.agression.sexual.en.pdf Shelf Number: 147925 Keywords: RapeSexual AssaultSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: Mapping the therapeutic services for sexual abuse in the UK in 2015 Summary: About the mapping exercise 1. The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Violence at the University of Bedfordshire was commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to undertake a mapping exercise – across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - of therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced any form of child sexual abuse (CSA), including child sexual exploitation (CSE). This mapping exercise was intended to be an update, and facilitate a comparative analysis with the 2007 audit. However, different samples and the more limited nature of the exercise means that it is inadvisable to make direct comparisons. However, the current mapping exercise has revealed new insights about a broader range of services than were included in the previous 2007 audit. 2. The current mapping exercise consisted of: 1) identification of generalist and specialist services in the four nations providing therapeutic support for any form of child sexual abuse, including child sexual exploitation (n=750); 2) an online questionnaire distributed to all identified services; 3) a small number of followup telephone interviews with service providers and 4) a small number of telephone interviews with service commissioners. A total of 130 respondents provided data in the questionnaire on 149 services, giving a service response rate of 20%. Key findings There were a range of findings across funding and commissioning experiences of services, provision for children and young people, current service use and met and unmet need among the sample. Key findings include: Obtaining full and accurate data on current service use is complex and difficult, and the task has not improved since the 2007 audit where similar difficulties were encountered. A key recommendation in that report was an improvement in the recording of data, particularly by services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs) but the evidence suggests this has not been addressed. This makes it incredibly difficult to establish solid evidence about the need/demand for services and whether or not current provision is adequately meeting the demand. Some of the generalist services in the current mapping exercise were unable to provide referral figures on CSA/CSE because they do not tend to disaggregate their figures on this particular issue. The referral data provided in the current mapping exercise shows an overall gap (a 12% current gap and an anticipated gap of 17% in future) in provision across the services in this sample to children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse / exploitation. While some children may be referred to other services, there are likely to be some children who do not receive a service, or do not receive a timely service. The mapping exercise revealed a large number of services across the UK comprised of both specialist and generalist services which exist across statutory, voluntary and private sectors and in some case comprise multiagency initiatives. Whilst specialist services have been identified by some commentators to be more responsive and tailored to victims of sexual violence, it is clear that in the current climate of increasing awareness and demand, generalist services are identifying and supporting children and young people who have experienced CSA / CSE. Despite variation in the needs and support required between younger children and older children who have experienced CSA/ CSE, some services are supporting both groups. What is less clear is whether these services are effectively equipped to provide specialised support to meet the needs of children and young people experiencing different forms of CSA. SARCs have been an important development in provision of streamlined support for victims of sexual violence, although a key finding identified both in the literature and within this mapping exercise is a lack of emotional support within these services for children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse / exploitation. Since the 2007 audit, there appears to have been little change in the funding environment for CSA. Greater awareness of CSE means that it is possible that there has been more attention given to funding specialist services in this area at the expense of services dedicated to other forms of CSA. Across specialist services, funding continues to be provided through insecure and short-term funding cycles which are at odds with the nature of the provision required to adequately support children and young people with these experiences. Services continue to devote an enormous amount of time and energy to chasing new funding streams, which, they say diverts energy and time away from delivering quality services to children and young people. Service providers and commissioners have noted how complex and confusing the commissioning environment is, creating more stress and insecurity for providers. Service providers feel confident that they will continue to be funded but this confidence derives primarily from an optimism about their reputations and the current high priority of CSA/CSE rather than having actually secured future funding. Some referral sources for services are more developed than others; only 50% of services are seeing/accepting referrals from the police, for example and fewer from youth justice and youth services. CAMHs remain difficult to access and the situation appears to be declining in some areas in the face of funding cuts in recent years. Providers view CAMHs as largely difficult to access, a finding which has been identified in other studies and reviews of services. Almost all services, however, set eligibility criteria to restrict access. Age is one of the more common criteria and the mapping exercise has shown that, at least among the current sample, services for younger children are scarce while services for older children and adolescents are in somewhat greater supply. Although there is significant variability in the quality and amount of referral data received, the patterns of service provision suggest that it is White British girls without disabilities who comprise the largest group receiving services. Creative therapies remain a common approach in working with children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. The ‘therapeutic relationship’ is also very common across services which focus on child sexual exploitation as well as other forms of child sexual abuse. Services are largely only accessible during the hours of 9 to 5 during the weekdays. For children and young people who may want and need support outside of these hours, provision is scarce. Children and young people with eating disorders, substance abuse problems, additional mental health needs and young offenders are most likely to be referred onwards to another service for help. Details: University of Bedfordshire, The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Violence, 2015. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/504283/mapping-therapeutic-services-sexual-abuse-uk-2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/504283/mapping-therapeutic-services-sexual-abuse-uk-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 147941 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMental Health ServicesSex CrimesSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Mitra-Kahn, Trishima Title: Invisible women, invisible violence: Understanding and improving data on the experiences of domestic and family violence and sexual assault for diverse groups of women: State of knowledge paper Summary: Women from all cultures, ages and socio-economic groups are affected by domestic and family violence and sexual assault, but the extent, nature and impact is not evenly distributed across communities in Australia. Women from diverse backgrounds are disproportionally affected by violence. The differential nature and effects of this violence is often compounded by various forms of marginalisation for diverse groups of women such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse and women with disability. Invisible women, invisible violence establishes the state of knowledge about the experiences of domestic and family violence and sexual assault among women from diverse groups. Reviewing existing knowledge and data on the experiences of violence and identifying key gaps in data as they relate to diverse women, it also affirms the more complex message that, while we know there is disproportionate impact, the exact nature and scale of this difference is extremely difficult to quantify. Despite not knowing the exact quantum of the violence, there is significant evidence that expressions of violence in these communities are distinct, and that these differences require considered and specific service and policy responses, for which data that is coherent, accessible, relevant and accurate is needed. This paper finds there are challenges within the Australian research and data landscapes in understanding the experiences of domestic and family violence and sexual assault for the diverse groups. Four key gaps in information in the current Australian research landscape were identified: · Limitations in quantitative evidence on the prevalence and perpetration of violence; · The complexity and specificity of violence; · Multiple, intersecting barriers to reporting violence and accessing appropriate services and; · "Diversity within diversity" the intersections of identity and disadvantage. In the process of mapping the current Australian data landscape, this paper identified that while a wide range of data are currently being collected administratively and via surveys, there are limitations of individual data sources and across the Australian data landscape as a whole. The analysis identified the following five key data gaps as they relate to the diverse experiences of domestic and family violence and sexual assault: 1) Design and methodological gaps in data sources; 2) Definitional complexities within data sources; 3) Gaps in the quality of existing data sources; 4) Gaps in recording and reporting of data; and 5) Gaps in the leveraging of existing data for the creation of new statistical information. This project provides 36 options for enhancing Australia's domestic and family violence and sexual assault data landscape in the short to medium term. Options for improvement range in cost from under $250,000 to several million dollars and provide both discrete and ongoing improvements. While each option provides valuable enhancements to the data landscape, decisions regarding which options to progress will always reflect complex policy and budgetary considerations and, as such, may or may not align with these suggestions. A long term commitment to fit-for-purpose data collection and analysis through the implementation of the Foundation for a "National Data Collection and Reporting Framework for family, domestic and sexual violence" (DCRF) is also crucial to ensuring systemic change and improvement in policy and practice. Details: Sydney: Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety Limited (ANROWS), 2016. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: ANROWS Landscapes: Accessed December 21, 2016 at: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/DiversityData_UPDATED191216.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://media.aomx.com/anrows.org.au/DiversityData_UPDATED191216.pdf Shelf Number: 147777 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceSexual AssaultsSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Gammill, Erica Title: A Texas-Sized Failure: Sexual Assaults in Texas Prisons Summary: Every person, including individuals in jail or prison, deserves to be free from sexual violence. Sexual victimization is not included in a prison sentence, and it should not be part of the punishment. States bear legal responsibility under the Constitution and federal law for protecting prisoners in its facilities from sexual violence and other serious harm. Yet, people in prison are at heightened risk of sexual assault. In particular, the State of Texas and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) have failed to protect prisoners in their custody from sexual assaults. Despite more than a decade of federal legislative efforts and oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice—including the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)—the prevalence of sexual assault remains high in Texas prisons. Several prisons in Texas have among the highest rates of sexual victimization in the nation. Regardless of claims that PREA standards are being implemented in Texas prisons, reports from prisoners themselves indicate that sexual assaults in Texas correctional facilities remain a serious problem. The alarming frequency of sexual assault in Texas prisons not only contributes to conditions in Texas facilities that are abhorrent to human dignity, but also violates the constitutional and human rights of prisoners in the TDCJ. Details: Austin, TX: Prison Justice League and Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, 2016 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2017 at: http://taasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BK_A-Texas-Sized-Failure-SA-in-TX-Prisons-Final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://taasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BK_A-Texas-Sized-Failure-SA-in-TX-Prisons-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 147769 Keywords: Prison RapePrison ViolenceSexual AssaultsSexual Violence |
Author: Boesten, Jelke Title: On Ending Sexual Violence, or Civilising War Summary: This paper uses the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, held in London in June 2014, as a window into the current wave of calls for action against wartime rape. The recent political attention to address sexual violence in conflict builds on decades of scholarly research, feminist activism, and more recently, the adoption of feminist goals in UN gender and security work. This paper asks if the feminist work done to unpack and unsettle gender binaries that foment sexual violence in war and in peace is not undone by the singular focus on rape-in-war. With the knowledge that rape in war tends to reproduce and naturalise the inequalities that fed into conflict in the first place, how should we understand a focus on eradicating sexual violence in war spearheaded by countries that regularly engage in postcolonial wars? What does this say about the framing of contemporary war, and attitudes towards sexual violence? More specifically, to what extent can one usefully make war 'more civilised' (US Secretary of State John Kerry's words) by addressing one specific aspect? The paper builds on case study research in Peru which looks at how the state deals with rape in war and peace, as well as the broader literature in the field of gender, peace and security. Details: London: King's International Development Institute, King's College London, 2015. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: International Development Institute Working Paper 2015-02: Accessed February 13, 2017 at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/idi/Research/Boesten-IDI-Working-Paper-2015-02.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/idi/Research/Boesten-IDI-Working-Paper-2015-02.pdf Shelf Number: 145999 Keywords: Conflict Related ViolenceRapeSexual Violence |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Military Personnel: DOD Has Processes for Operating and Managing Its Sexual Assault Incident Database Summary: As of October 2013, the Department of Defense's (DOD) Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) was fully implemented and in use across the military services, and DOD had taken several steps to standardize DSAID's use throughout the department. Sexual assault incident data are input into DSAID through both manual and automated data entry processes and include, as applicable, victim and referral support information, investigative and incident information, and case outcome data for certain incidents of sexual assault that involve a servicemember. Additionally, in some instances DSAID includes sexual assault cases involving a servicemember spouse, an adult family member, and DOD civilians and contractors. Further, DOD has taken several steps to standardize DSAID's use through the development of (1) policies, processes, and procedures for using the system; (2) training for system users; and (3) processes for monitoring the completeness of data. DSAID users have identified technical challenges with the system and DOD officials stated that they have plans to spend approximately $8.5 million to implement modifications to DSAID that address most of these challenges in fiscal years 2017 and 2018. Some of the key technical challenges users have identified experiencing with the system relate to DSAID's system speed and ease of use; interfaces with other external DOD databases; and users' ability to query data and generate reports. DOD has plans in place to implement modifications to DSAID that are expected to alleviate these challenges; however, officials stated that they will not be approved to fund these modifications until they have conducted an analysis of alternatives that is in line with DOD's acquisition policy framework. This framework, as well as the GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide , outline key elements of this analysis, such as relative lifecycle costs and benefits and the effect and value of cost and schedule, among others. Conducting an analysis of alternatives including these elements is key to ensuring that DOD appropriately manages its modifications to DSAID. In 2010, GAO found that DOD had failed to demonstrate adherence to these key elements in the initial development and implementation of DSAID, and, DOD projects it will have spent a total of approximately $31.5 million on implementing and maintaining DSAID through fiscal year 2018. This is approximately $13 million more than the 2012 estimate. DOD's plan to conduct an analysis of alternatives that adequately considers key elements should position DOD to more accurately assess whether planned modifications to DSAID can be implemented within budget and result in the desired outcome. DOD manages modifications to DSAID through its change management process, which GAO found substantially aligns with key applicable elements established in the industry standards that GAO reviewed. Specifically, DOD has established processes for managing change requests, such as developing a process to evaluate requested changes to the database and establishing a board that approves, tracks, and controls changes to the database. DOD has also established processes for configuration management, including a process to track, communicate, and deliver changes to the database. Why GAO Did This Study GAO has reported that DOD has not collected uniform data on sexual assaults involving members of the armed forces. In 2008, Congress required DOD to implement a centralized, case-level database for the collection and maintenance of these data. In 2012, DSAID reached initial operational capability to capture sexual assault data. House Report 112-479 included a provision for GAO to review DSAID no sooner than 1 year after it was certified compliant with DOD standards by the Secretary of Defense. This report (1) describes the current status of DOD's implementation of DSAID and steps DOD has taken to help standardize DSAID's use, (2) assesses any technical challenges DSAID's users have identified and any DOD plans to address those challenges, and (3) assesses the extent to which DOD's change management process for modifying DSAID aligns with information technology and project management industry standards. GAO reviewed DOD documents, and interviewed DOD program officials as well as DSAID users. Specifically, GAO conducted site visits to 9 military installations and met with 42 DSAID users. Views obtained are nongeneralizable. Installations were selected based on their use of DSAID, number of users, geographic diversity, and other factors. GAO is not making recommendations in this report. DOD provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2017. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-17-99: Accessed February 18, 2017 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/681999.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/681999.pdf Shelf Number: 141097 Keywords: Military Personnel Rape Sexual Assaults Sexual Violence |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Sexual Assault: Better Resource Management Needed to Improve Prevention and Response in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve Summary: The Army National Guard (Guard) and Army Reserve (Reserve) have implemented sexual assault prevention and response programs, but face challenges in areas such as staffing, budget management, and investigation timeliness that may hinder program implementation. Staffing: The Guard and the Reserve have staffed their sexual assault prevention and response programs, but their use of full-time and collateral-duty personnel has produced sizeable workload disparities. For example, the Guard allots two full-time staff to each state and territory, which provides Rhode Island—a state with about 2,000 soldiers—the same number of staff as Texas, which has about 18,600 soldiers. Similar imbalances exist in the Reserve, with one full-time staff at one command responsible for about 9,000 soldiers located in 16 different states, while the one full-time staff member at another command is responsible for 300 soldiers in 4 states. Officials said that collateral-duty personnel are used to mitigate workload disparities, but these positions are not always filled in the Guard, and the Reserve does not know the number filled. Without evaluating their staffing structures, the Army does not know the extent of such issues and their effect. Budget Management: The Guard has developed budget guidance on the use of funds but has not effectively communicated it to program staff, and the Reserve has not developed or distributed this guidance to its staff. Thus, Guard and Reserve program staff do not have information needed to develop their budget allocations and help ensure the efficient use of program funds. Investigation Timeliness: Data on Guard cases investigated by its Office of Complex Administrative Investigations (OCI) in fiscal year 2015 show that 57 percent, or 45 of 79 cases, took 6 to 9 months to complete; 39 percent, or 31 of 79 cases, took 3 to 6 months; and the remaining 4 percent (3 of 79 cases) took longer than 9 months. According to OCI officials, investigations take longer to complete because OCI does not have enough personnel to handle its growing caseload, which more than doubled from 2014 to 2015. The Army and the Guard have not reassessed OCI's resources since the increase in investigation requests to help ensure it has the staff needed to complete investigations within 3 weeks, as required by OCI guidance. Eligibility for follow-up or long-term health-care services paid for or provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) varies based on a Guard or Reserve victim's duty status at the time of an assault. Victims in the Guard and Reserve must go through a process, known as a line of duty determination, to determine their eligibility for care. The Guard has established an expedited process for making a determination within 72 hours of the process being initiated. However, the Reserve's process is lengthy, and in prior work GAO found that 80 percent of these determinations were overdue. Reserve officials said they plan to include an expedited process in the new Army regulation that is being drafted; however, Reserve officials did not provide details about the planned process or documentation about how it would be implemented. Without an expedited process to provide more timely decisions, sexual assault victims in the Reserve may continue to pay for their care up front, or else face delayed access to care. Why GAO Did This Study Sexual assault in the Army is often discussed in terms of its incidence among active-duty forces. Sexual assault is a crime that similarly confronts the more than 550,000 members who collectively serve in the Guard and Reserve, who together reported 604 sexual assault incidents in fiscal year 2015; however, sexual assault is generally an underreported crime. Congress included a provision in statute for GAO to review sexual assault prevention and response in the Army's reserve components. This report addresses the extent to which (1) the Guard and Reserve face any challenges implementing programs to prevent and respond to sexual assault; and (2) medical and mental health-care services are available to victims in the Guard and Reserve. GAO reviewed DOD and Army policies; administered two web-based surveys; conducted site visits to four installations; and interviewed officials. What GAO Recommends GAO is making six recommendations, including that DOD evaluate program staffing structure, communicate and develop budget guidance, assess the Guard's investigation timeliness and resources, and develop an expedited process for determining Reserve eligibility for healthcare services. DOD concurred with three recommendations partially concurred with two, and did not concur with assessing Guard investigation timeliness, stating that the Army has limited authority over OCI. GAO continues to believe that actions are needed to fully address the two recommendations, and redirected the OCI recommendation to the Guard, as recommended by DOD. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2017. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-17-217: Accessed February 28, 2017 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683046.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/683046.pdf Shelf Number: 141229 Keywords: ArmyMilitarySexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Farley, Melissa Title: A Thorn in the Heart: Cambodian Men who Buy Sex Summary: We interviewed 133 Cambodian men who had bought sex from adult women in prostitution, with 37% also acknowledging having bought sex from minor girls. Almost all (95%) of the men interviewed for this study stated that children were available for paid sexual abuse in brothels, bars, and massage parlors in Phnom Penh. In order to measure the men's attitudes and behavior, we used previously validated and standardized questionnaires, and a structured interview, yielding both quantitative and qualitative data. Conducted by a specially trained team of 8 interviewers, the interviews each lasted about 2-3 hours. Most of the men said that they had a wife or girlfriend when they used a woman in prostitution. They reported having many sex partners throughout their lifetime (21% had 21-50 sex partners and 35% had 50 or more sex partners). Prostitution was the first sexual experience of most interviewees, many of them having responded to peer pressure and the need to prove their manhood by using a woman in prostitution. Almost all of the men bought sex once a month or more often. Like men in other countries, they bought sex both indoors and on the street. Almost all the men bought women in brothels where they reported observing extreme violence, coercion and threats - evidence that may indicate sex trafficking. Thirty-nine percent of the interviewees described having seen trafficking of women and children. Almost all had bought sex from a woman who was controlled by a pimp. Most frequently the pimps were women but sometimes they were men. In these interviews, the men dehumanized women in prostitution, seeing them as inferior to other women. They tended to blame prostituted women for the spread of HIV. The sex buyers believe that prostitution prevents rape, although there is no empirical evidence for that. In fact the opposite is more likely to be true: men's prostitution activity is associated with an increased incidence of rape. 1 The men who most strongly supported the institution of prostitution were also those men who had a hostile masculine self-identity. Such men think that dominance is important in love relationships and see relationships with women in adversarial terms. Those men with hostile masculine identities also tended to believe rape myths (for example they believed that women say no to sex when they mean yes, and women who dress provocatively are seeking to be raped). The study found that men who bought women for sex generally lacked empathy for the women, failing to grasp the extremely negative feelings that the women say that they feel during prostitution. Most of the men in the study told us that in addition to acts of violence against the women they bought for use in prostitution, they had also committed sexually aggressive acts against their non-prostituted partners. Pornography was used by almost all sex buyers. The men who watched the most pornography bought sex most often. The men who watched more violent pornography reported more frequent incidences of sexually coercive behaviors against both prostituted women and non-prostituted women. Most of the men explained that they copied what they saw in pornography with the prostituted women they bought. An important component of this research study was the development of a greater understanding of gang rape/bauk prostitution, assumed by some to be a uniquely Cambodian form of gender based violence. From the men's narrative responses to the structured interview and also from statistical analyses, it is clear that viewing gang rape pornography from other cultures (especially western/Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai) has a strong effect on some men's decision to perpetrate gang rape against women in prostitution. Many Khmer men reported that they watched gang rape pornography from other cultures and imitated what they saw when they perpetrated bauk against prostituted and non-prostituted women. The sex buyers indicated that effective deterrents to prostitution would include greater criminal penalty and public exposure. Recommendations based on this research include enforcement of existing laws on prostitution and trafficking against buyers while at the same time decriminalizing women in prostitution, educational programs about the toxic influence of pornography in Khmer culture, and education and prevention programs for youth that challenge the notion that buying sex enhances masculinity. Details: San Francisco: Prostitution Research, 2012. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2017 at: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/Cambodia%20Project%20Final.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/Cambodia%20Project%20Final.pdf Shelf Number: 131170 Keywords: Child Prostitutes Pornography Prostitutes Prostitution Sexual Violence |
Author: Smith, Sharon G. Title: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. 2010-2012 State Report Summary: Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence are important public health problems that have an enormous and long term physical and mental health impact on victims. These types of violence often occur early in the lifespan of victims, and for most subtypes, women and racial and ethnic minorities are most affected. While our knowledge about sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization has improved over the years, we still lack information on state-level prevalence estimates and the characteristics of the violence (e.g., type of perpetrator) at the state level. State-level data are important because they help to understand the burden of these problems at the state level and can inform state efforts to prevent and respond to these problems. This is the first report to offer this information at the state-level. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) is an ongoing, national random-digit-dial (RDD) telephone survey on sexual violence (SV), stalking, and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. Data, representative of the U.S. non-institutionalized adult population, are collected from the non-institutionalized English - and Spanish-speaking U.S. population aged 18 or older using a dual-frame sampling strategy that includes landlines and cell phones. NISVS provides national and state-level estimates of these types of violence, collecting data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The primary objectives of this report are to describe at the national and state levels: - The prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence; - The impact of violence experienced by an intimate partner; - The prevalence of these forms of violence experienced as minors; - The health conditions associated with these forms of violence. This report uses the NISVS data years of 2010-2012 to produce national and state victimization estimates. All of the estimates provided in the text are from the aggregated 2010-2012 data because this combined dataset provides the greatest number of reliable estimates at the national and state levels. National estimates for the most recent data year, 2012, are included as a point of reference and can be found in Appendix A. Estimates in this report are based on data from completed interviews conducted between January 2010 and December 2012. An interview is defined as completed if the participant provided responses to the questions for demographics, general health, and all violence victimization sections. The relative standard error (RSE), which is a measure of an estimate's statistical reliability, was calculated for all estimates in this report. If the RSE was greater than 30%, the estimate was considered unreliable and is not reported. The case count was also considered; if the estimate was based on a numerator - 20, the estimate is also not reported. We have provided estimates for the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). In our descriptions of the findings, when there are reliable estimates for fewer than all states and DC, we have indicated the number of states with reliable estimates and counted DC as a state, for a total of 51. Details: Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 17, 2017 at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf Shelf Number: 145521 Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence Sexual Violence Stalking Victimization SurveysVictims of Violence Violence Against Women |
Author: Hillman, Matthew M. Title: Strengthening Our Response to Sexual Violence: A Working Paper on Prevention and Response Strategies for Selkirk College Summary: Bill 23: Sexual Violence and Misconduct Act requires that all post-secondary institutions establish and implement a sexual misconduct policy including prevention and response measures. This paper supports the work that is being done at Selkirk College to address the prevention and response requirements of Bill 23, and support a decrease in the number of sexual assaults on campus while simultaneously working to increase the number of students who seek support following a sexual assault. This paper is informed by two Selkirk College institutional research projects, feedback provided by college staff, and information found in existing guidelines for post-secondary institutions. The resulting understanding of issues related to sexual violence on campus that emerged from this research informs the recommendations for Selkirk College's sexual violence prevention and response strategy in various areas: identifying and utilizing a preferred language, gaining institutional buy-in and support, developing a peer-to-peer delivery model, creating and rolling out an awareness campaign and designing and implementing evaluation mechanisms. Furthermore, this paper outlines three intervention approaches that are either currently in use at Selkirk College or are being considered for delivery to the campus community in the near future: Bringing in the Bystander (BITB) training and supporting survivors education and healthy masculinities groups. While the recommendations found in this paper align with the approaches that many post-secondary institutions throughout the province are taking in order to meet the requirements of Bill 23 and to address issues related to sexual violence, this project considers needs specific to the rural college-community of Selkirk College. The perspectives and insights of Selkirk College staff members and the student body collected during this study reflect the unique nature of this institution and have been incorporated into the suggestions and recommendations this working paper offers. Details: Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, 2014. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 2, 2017 at: https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/handle/1828/8041 Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/handle/1828/8041 Shelf Number: 145904 Keywords: Campus Rape College and Universities Sex Offenders Sexual Assaults Sexual Violence |
Author: Warrington, Camille Title: Making Noise: Children's voices for positive change after sexual abuse. Children's experiences of help-seeking and support after sexual abuse in the family environment Summary: Overview 1. This study was commissioned by the Children's Commissioner for England and carried out in 2015/16 by staff from the International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, in partnership with the NSPCC. It sought to elicit children and young people's views and experiences of help-seeking and support after child sexual abuse (CSA) in the family environment. 2. The title, and spirit, of the research - 'Making Noise: children's voices for positive change after sexual abuse' - was determined with our Young People's Advisory Group, who have played a critical role throughout the work. It represents our efforts to not only generate new research knowledge, but to simultaneously demonstrate the capacity of children and young people to contribute to enhanced responses to these issues and the importance of challenging the cultures of silence in which abuse and impunity flourish. 3. The research comprised 53 in-depth qualitative interviews with children aged 6 to 19 who were receiving support for experiences of CSA in the family environment. All interviewees were accessed through one of 15 third-sector therapeutic services from across England. This data was supplemented with focus groups (30 participants) and survey data (75 respondents) with more generic cohorts of young people exploring possible barriers to disclosure and service access. 4. The research sought to respond to a recognised gap in evidence from the perspectives of children and young people affected by CSA in the family environment. To our knowledge this study represents data from the largest sample of children and young people in a qualitative study on this issue. 5. The research aims were to improve understanding of participants' experiences of: - recognition, identification and disclosure of CSA in the family environment - help-seeking and support - contact with services as a result of reporting/identification of CSA - care systems, and - criminal justice procedures and to ascertain children and young people's views on how such processes could be improved. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2017. 184p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2017 at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/UniBed_MakingNoise%2020_4_17.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/UniBed_MakingNoise%2020_4_17.pdf Shelf Number: 145917 Keywords: Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Children and Violence Sexual Violence Victim Services Violence Against Women, Children |
Author: Mercado, Cynthia Calkins Title: Sex Offender Management, Treatment, and Civil Commitment: An Evidence Based Analysis Aimed at Reducing Sexual Violence Summary: This study was designed to provide a comprehensive exploratory examination of the program management, treatment, and recidivism of sexual offenders in New Jersey. There were four main objectives of the research: 1) To provide normative data on a large sample of New Jersey sex offenders; 2) To determine which sex offenders get selected for treatment and what criteria are used to make that decision; 3) To examine the effect of treatment on recidivism; and 4) To compare those offenders selected for commitment as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) with those offenders not selected for commitment. Data were gathered from the archival records of 3,168 male sex offenders who were housed at either a prison-based sex offender treatment facility (treatment group) or any of the New Jersey State prisons (no treatment group) and released from custody between the years 1996 and 2007. Additionally, archival data were gathered from all detained or committed SVPs. Federal and state recidivism data were obtained for all released offenders. Ultimately, three general outcome categories were the focus of the analyses: selection for treatment (determined by whether the offender was housed at the prison-based sex offender treatment facility), recidivism (determined by whether an offender was convicted of an additional offense - sexual or non-sexual - following release), and SVP commitment (determined by whether the offender was released or civilly committed upon completion of the index sentence). After coding the archival file data for offender characteristics, offense characteristics, risk assessment outcomes, and recidivism (and what type of recidivism, if applicable), comparisons were made via chi-square analysis and independent samples t-test across these three outcomes; that is, we compared treated and non-treated offenders, recidivists and non-recidivists, and committed and not-committed offenders on these factors. Additionally, a series of classification tree analyses and logistic regressions were conducted to gather insight into what factors were most strongly indicative of selection for treatment, SVP commitment, and recidivism. The following points highlight the major findings for each objective of the study: Objective One - The overwhelming majority of offenders in this sample had female victims (83.9%; n = 2,566), indicating that women and girls continue to be among those most victimized by sexual violence. - Nearly three-quarters of the index crime events involved molestation of a minor child, and despite a popular notion of "stranger danger" that is prevalent across sexual crimes (an assumption that is arguably an influential factor in sex offender legislation), most offenders knew their victims. Over 44% of the sample perpetrated an offense against someone with whom they were already acquainted (but not related), and an additional one-third of the sample offended against an immediate or extended family member. - A minority (15%) of the offenses were perpetrated against strangers, suggesting that the "stranger danger" notion of offending (upon which much sex crime legislation is based) may not reflect the empirical reality that most sex crimes (85%) are committed by individuals known to the victim - With regard to prior criminal history, nearly 70% of the offenders had been charged with a prior non-sexual offense; however, less than one-third of the sample had a prior history of sexual offenses, providing some support for the notion that sex offenders may be more generalist rather than specialist in their offending patterns. Objective Two - The best predictor of placement in the treatment facility was the demonstration of some treatment amenability or readiness for treatment. Choosing offenders based upon their willingness to participate in treatment may, however, exclude those offenders who are at highest risk to recidivate. - Those placed in the treatment facility had lower risk scores than those in the general population, which may run contrary to the risk-need-responsivity principle of providing the most intensive services to those of highest need. Objective Three - In terms of general recidivism (i.e., recidivism of any nature), those offenders who did not receive treatment recidivated (in terms of a new conviction) at twice the rate of those who did receive treatment (51.7% versus 25.0%), and this difference remained even when the groups were matched with regard to actuarial risk scores. - When looking specifically at sexual recidivism rates, we found that overall 5% of the offenders in our sample were re-convicted of a new sexual offense over an average 6.5 year follow-up period. - No differences in sexual recidivism were found between the treated and untreated groups, even when these groups were matched in terms of recidivism risk. Though random assignment to treatment conditions is seldom possible in research of this nature, future studies that use random assignment would allow for firmer conclusions regarding treatment effectiveness. - Sex offenders who offended against strangers were more likely than those who were acquainted with or related to their victim to re-offend after treatment. Likewise, sex offenders who had adult victims were more likely to offend after treatment than those who had minor victims. Objective Four - Sex offenders selected for civil commitment were found to be at significantly higher risk of recidivating (based on Static-99 and MnSOST-R actuarial risk scores) than offenders not committed under SVP statutes. - Sex offense history, MnSOST-R historical scale score, prior history of any contact sexual offense, use of weapon during index offense, age at first sex offense, history of psychiatric problems, age of victim, and age at first non-sexual offense were predictive of SVP commitment. - Based upon re-conviction data, those considered for civil commitment but ultimately not committed were found to have high rates of any kind of recidivism (67%). Details: New York: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 2013. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2017 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243551.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/243551.pdf Shelf Number: 130140 Keywords: Civil CommitmentOffender ClassificationRecidivismSex Offender TreatmentSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Gardner, John Title: Reasonable Reactions to the Wrongness of Rape Summary: The short paper is a reply to bob Watt, who takes issue in an interesting way with the moral psychology implicit in my old paper 'The Wrongness of Rape' (co-authored with Stephen Shute). Watt says that Shute and I make a sideshow of the emotions by holding them answerable to reasons. I show that this charge is false. I show that it is actually Watt who makes a sideshow of the emotions by presenting them as unresponsive to reasons. I also respond to Watt's criticism of the concrete proposal that Shute and I make, namely that rape is sheer use of a person. Details: Oxford, UK: University of Oxford - Faculty of Law, 2016. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 7/2016: Accessed August 5, 2017 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2727709 Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2727709 Shelf Number: 146733 Keywords: Rape Sexual Violence |
Author: Mills, Elizabeth Title: 'They Call Me Warrior': The Legacy of Conflict and the Struggle to End Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Sierra Leone Summary: A relatively small country with just over 6 million people, Sierra Leone has been the focus of considerable public and policy attention because of the recent Ebola epidemic and, before that, the decade-long civil war. Given the concern with finding ways to 'build Sierra Leone differently' in the post-Ebola context, this paper considers some of the legacies of the country's history. It focuses on gender and the emergence of a dynamic network of actors that reveal not only the country's history of violence but also its capacity for 'rebuilding differently' to foster resilience and create long-term social transformation. During the war, from 1991 to 2002, an estimated 50,000 people were killed and more than 500,000 were forced to flee their homes to escape violence. Statistics can never sufficiently capture the horror of the war, but they can indicate the extent to which multiple forms of violence permeated people's lives. The legacy of violence is equally difficult to quantify but, as we found in our fieldwork in Sierra Leone from 2014 to 2015, it is woven into people's everyday lives, and particularly in their sense of trust in each other and in formal and informal institutions. This report focuses on one particularly pernicious form of violence - sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) - as it is, and was, experienced by men and women. The impact of the war and the country's transition to democracy surfaces in lesser known ways too; in this paper we describe how networks of actors emerged in refugee camps and coalesced around a shared struggle to transform harmful gender relations and end violence. Based on fieldwork with these actors, we outline some of the social, economic and infrastructural challenges they face in their work to collectively foster gender equality and end SGBV. According to the activists we engaged with in Sierra Leone, the challenge of addressing SGBV has sometimes been exacerbated by a limited conception of development, which too often assumes that models for social and economic 'progress' can be imported and implanted into highly complex contexts. Far greater attention therefore needs to be paid to local specificity, to the effects of sexual and gender violence on all genders, and to the recommendations made by those people and organisations working to create sustained and positive change in these complex contexts. The findings of this study speak to this complexity and are organised, first, around the factors that underpin SGBV and, second, around the key actors working to transform harmful gender dynamics through collective action. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies (IDS), 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Evidence Report no. 155: Accessed August 26, 2017 at: https://www.ids.ac.uk/publication/they-call-me-warrior-the-legacy-of-conflict-and-the-struggle-to-end-sexual-and-gender-based-violence-in-sierra-leone Year: 2015 Country: Sierra Leone URL: https://www.ids.ac.uk/publication/they-call-me-warrior-the-legacy-of-conflict-and-the-struggle-to-end-sexual-and-gender-based-violence-in-sierra-leone Shelf Number: 137053 Keywords: Gender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Cucolo, Heather Title: Promoting Dignity and Preventing Shame and Humiliation by Improving the Quality and Education of Attorneys in Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Civil Commitment Cases Summary: In Strickland vs. Washington, the Supreme Court acknowledged that the role of counsel is critical to the ability of the adversarial system to best insure that just results are produced. Yet, the Court did not elaborately define the Sixth Amendment constitutional right to counsel and lower courts, have set the bar shockingly low. In this article we examine the quality of attorneys who litigate Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA) cases, and conclude that a failure to apply a higher standard of adequate counsel - beyond what was set out in Strickland - results in humiliation, shame and lack of dignity for clients. Effective and competent counsel must be cognizant of how shame and humiliation corrupts our legislation, court proceedings and subsequent management of the sex offender population. We explore the concepts of shame and humiliation and how the effects of these concepts damage not only the client, but the integrity of the court proceeding and subsequent goals of treatment rehabilitation. We focus on the volatile "arranged marriage" of law and psychology in sex offender civil commitment cases that require attorneys to have a particular set of skills and knowledge in order to conduct a fair, judicious and ethical trial, and to secure an accurate verdict. This is necessary to not only preserve the dignity of the legal system but additionally preserve the dignity of clients facing - what is most likely considered - one of the most undignified adjudicative determinations: that of "sexual violent predator". We propose that without specialized training and expert collaboration, attorneys cannot provide even remotely adequate or effective representation. We consider these issues through the prism of therapeutic jurisprudence, which we believe is vital to any authentic understanding of the underlying issues and offer suggestions to prevent and minimize client shame, humiliation and lack of dignity (including sample dialogues that counsel might have with her client). Details: New York: Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates, New York Law School, 2017. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: NYLS Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2910541: Accessed August 31, 2017 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2910541 Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2910541 Shelf Number: 146962 Keywords: Criminal Court Sex Offenders Sexual ViolenceSexually Violent Predator Act Shaming |
Author: Nesbitt-Ahmed, Zahrah Title: Engaging Men and Boys to End Sexual to End Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Sierra Leone: A Stakeholder Mapping Report, June 2014 Summary: Increasingly, engaging with men and boys has emerged as a vital strategy adopted by non-governmental organisations, national governments, women's organisations, and international agencies for ending sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and achieving gender equality, including in refugee and post-conflict settings (Barker and Ricardo 2005; Dworkin, Colvin, Hatcher and Peacock 2012). While SGBV is a global problem, recent research in West Africa suggests that this problem becomes particularly acute in post-conflict countries. In Sierra Leone, the focus of this report, it is widely estimated that during its civil war from 1991-2002, up to 250,000 women and girls were subjected to some form of SGBV (Amnesty International 2007: 4). Rape, largely but not solely by men against women, was used systematically by all factions and, although peace was declared in 2002, the trauma of war and its violent tactics has left scars that run through the fabric of households, families and communities. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of men and boys in addressing SGBV, in June 2014 IDS and MAGE-SL held two stakeholder workshops and a series of interviews in Sierra Leone. This report begins with a brief overview of the workshops, which form part of a larger research study on collective action and the role of men and boys in addressing SGBV in Sierra Leone. Section 4 details five of the key themes drawn from the workshops. These are: (1) the civil war as catalyst for critical awareness; (2) the economic basis of inequality in households; (3) law and policy reform; (4) inadequate support for those engaged in work to address SGBV; and (5) knowledge sharing. Section 5 maps the various stakeholders in Sierra Leone whose interests either overlap with, intersect with, or impede the work of those engaging with men and boys against SGBV; it also highlights the opportunities and challenges. Drawing from the workshop findings, Section 6 suggests why it is important to engage with men and boys to address SGBV, and Section 7 provides a concluding summary. Details: Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: IDS Evidence Report No. 110: Accessed September 9, 2017 at: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/5780/ER110_EngagingMenandBoystoEndSexualandGenderBasedViolenceinSierraLeoneAStakeholderMappingReportJune2014.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2015 Country: Sierra Leone URL: https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/5780/ER110_EngagingMenandBoystoEndSexualandGenderBasedViolenceinSierraLeoneAStakeholderMappingReportJune2014.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 147200 Keywords: Abusive MenGender-Related ViolenceRapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Nobert, Megan Title: Addressing Sexual Violence in Humanitarian Organisations: Good Practices for Improved Prevention Measures, Policies, and Procedures Summary: Report the Abuse (RTA), the first global NGO to solely address sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers, has created the first good practices tool to assist humanitarian organisations in their efforts to improve how they address this problem. As the issue has gained more exposure, humanitarian organisations across the globe have increasingly asked for guidance. This good practices tool, as well as other guidelines and information created by RTA, forms the foundational basis for improved prevention measures, policies, and procedures to address sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers. Any discussion on this issue must start with why it happens, and to that end RTA's good practices tool begins by examining the most significant risk factor for sexual violence in humanitarian workplaces: organisational culture. Cultures that encourage constructive feedback, address misconduct issues, and provide the information and resources necessary for sexual violence issues to be addressed in a professional and survivorcentred manner are less likely to experience such incidents. Organisational culture not only underpins why sexual violence incidents occur, but why survivors so rarely report incidents. It is the core change that humanitarian organisations must be working towards - emphasising zero tolerance for sexual violence incidents of any nature. Zero tolerance must start with implementing strong and repetitious prevention measures: including simple and clear messaging about how sexual violence will not be tolerated, combined with appropriate, sensitive, and frequent trainings on the topic. Backed by strong leadership, these measures have the potential to significantly reduce the number of sexual violence incidents that might occur in humanitarian workplaces. Of course any prevention measure, in addition to being understood by all members of staff, must also be supported by policies and procedures that underline both prevention and response. Comprehensive, holistic, accessible, and survivor-centred policies on sexual violence in humanitarian workplaces serve an essential function: clarifying what is sexual violence, how to report incidents when they occur, and the consequences for perpetrators. The development of such policies must take into account feedback from staff members, in particular national staff, and evaluate the trust they have in the organisation's structure and mechanisms; this allows for the creation of an M&E system to start evaluating how humanitarian organisations are doing to address the issue. There is a myriad of ways to guarantee staff members fully understand what is acceptable behaviour: starting from recruitment through to the regular signing of a Code of Conduct. Ensuring that the language used in policies on sexual violence is accessible and understood by everyone in the organisation - from the cleaner to the Executive Director - can be a daunting task; however it is necessary for all members of staff to understand their rights to a safe and healthy workplace, as well as how they must contribute to the creation of one. It is important to remember that the first people a survivor encounters post-sexual violence can have a strong impact on their entire recovery process, good or bad. Therein lies the significance of developed and operational procedures, the final piece to creating safe and healthy workplaces for all humanitarian aid workers, and the real demonstration that all prevention measures and policies put in place by the organisation function professionally, impartially, and in a survivor-centred manner. Procedures start with functional and accessible reporting processes that result in transparent, professional, and impartial investigations; they end with accountability for both survivors and perpetrators. Where possible this should involve local justice mechanisms, bearing in mind that in many of the locations where humanitarian operations are undertaken this may not be a reality. In all circumstances though, the priorities must be the support and care of survivors, and the creation of an environment where impunity is not allowed to thrive. Given the importance of an organisation's culture in preventing incidents of sexual violence, it should be clear that different roles within humanitarian organisations could be vital to addressing this issue. To further assist humanitarian aid workers at all different levels, we have provided some analysis of how different roles can and must contribute to the creation of safe and healthy humanitarian workplaces, and we actively encourage the empowerment of individuals within such roles to address this problem. Finally, as part of our continuing efforts to provide support and guidance, for all of the sections noted within this short summary, a series of recommendations has been provided. These recommendations should help to guide implementation of the good practices tool, and in particular assist in the development of M&E measures to determine progress on the issue. However, humanitarian organisations are also encouraged to expand on the ideas outlined within this tool and use it as a starting or foundational block. The publication of the good practices tool, and other guidance and information created by RTA, should not be seen as the end of work on the issue. This is the starting point, from which we hope others will take up our call to action. Addressing sexual violence against humanitarian aid workers is necessary, and it must happen now, not tomorrow. It is a real and grave issue that needs to be tackled by all humanitarian organisations, for the benefit of all humanitarian aid workers. Details: Swit: Report the Abuse, 2017. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 25, 2017 at: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/RTA%20Addressing%20Sexual%20Violence%20in%20Humanitarian%20Organisations%20-%20Good%20Practices%20for%20Improved%20Prevention%20Measures%2C%20Policies%2C%20and%20Procedures.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/RTA%20Addressing%20Sexual%20Violence%20in%20Humanitarian%20Organisations%20-%20Good%20Practices%20for%20Improved%20Prevention%20Measures%2C%20Policies%2C%20and%20Proce Shelf Number: 147443 Keywords: Humanitarian Aid WorkersRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceWorkplace Violence |
Author: Malik, Nikita Title: Trafficking Terror: How Modern Slavery and Sexual Violence Fund Terrorism Summary: Modern day slavery presents a plethora of benefits to terrorist groups by attracting, retaining, mobilising and rewarding fighters. The definition of conflict-related sexual violence, created by the UN in 2012, links sexual violence - rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation, and other forms of sexual violence of comparable gravity against women, men or children - to conflict. As per this definition, the use of sexual violence in conflict is evident in the motivations of perpetrators, the profile of victims, the climate of impunity or State collapse, and when terms of a ceasefire agreement have been violated. Terrorists use sexual violence, including rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriage, to bolster recruits, galvanise fighters, and, in the case of Islamist groups, punish kuffar (disbelievers). Propaganda on sexual slavery serves as an incentive for new recruits and foreign fighters, with the promise of wives and sex slaves acting as a 'pull factor'. There is a fixation on the part of Islamic State (IS) fighters with the concept of kuffar (disbelievers), used to dehumanise ethnic groups so that barbaric acts can be condoned. Religious elements are infused into sexual violence practices to skirt around the moral wrongdoing of rape. Forced inseminations, forced pregnancies, and forced conversions are a means to secure 'the next generation of jihadists'. Boko Haram fighters have also tried to impregnate women with the purpose of creating the next generation of fighters, mirroring Islamic State practices. Forced marriages and conversions to Islam are more common in Boko Haram than in Islamic State. Some abducted victims have adopted Boko Haram's ideology as their own, refusing to leave the group. National laws on sexual violence within countries where extremist groups are present (Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Nigeria) allow rapists to marry their victims to avoid prosecution and punishment, placing the burden of shame and stigmatisation on survivors rather than perpetrators. There are clear links between terrorists, criminals, and traffickers. Terrorists use organised crime tactics such as money laundering, migrant smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, and human trafficking. Sexual markets in territory controlled by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have been common, as has the use of human trafficking marketplaces in Libya. A clear driver behind sexual trafficking is financial gain. The most contentious issue revolves around whether smugglers or negotiators pay IS directly. While terrorists seem to commit sexual violence for ideological reasons, ransom payments point to a new source of revenue for terrorism that is directly linked to the use of sexual violence. Modern slavery provides monetary flows to terrorist organisations such as Islamic State and Boko Haram through the sale and re-sale of human bodies, with reports indicating that kidnapping represents $10-30 million of revenue to IS in 2016. It is possible that as revenues from other streams such taxation and oil sales decrease, revenue from hostage-taking and ransom, and modern day slavery may increase as IS struggles to sustain its financial reserves. Evidence suggests that the link between migrant smuggling and human trafficking is likely to remain in the future, and may grow as more individuals exit IS. Pieces of evidence hint at an awareness amongst terrorist groups of the potential for exploiting smuggling tactics and routes. Since mid-2015, Islamic State has reportedly captured 63 women in Libya and sexually abused them. The nexus between sexual violence, trafficking, and terrorism is under-explored. Statistical data and testimonies to understand how sexual violence and modern slavery fund terrorism are inconsistent or unavailable. In order to bolster its efforts to counter modern slavery, this report recommends that the British government lead in the creation of a dedicated legal unit in the form of an International Legal Task Force to work with NGOs, charities, and embassies on the ground to better track the overlap between sexual violence, trafficking groups, and terrorist organisations. Special attention must be given to information drawn from the body of evidence emerging from victims of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism, that can hint at the level of financial revenues implicit in transactions between traffickers and terrorists. Domestic abuse may overlap with terrorism, but appears to fall outside the UN definition of conflict-related sexual violence, and the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism. Among the perpetrators of attacks inspired or connected to Islamic State in Europe and the United States, some have had a history of domestic and sexual violence, alluding to a direct connection between terrorism and domestic physical and/or sexual violence. In the UK, laws including the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Terrorism Act of 2006 should be interpreted more broadly, in order to adequately reflect the spectrum of crimes committed by individuals using sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism, defined under United Nations Security Resolution 2242 (2015). Details: London: The Henry Jackson Society, 2017. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2017 at: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HJS-Trafficking-Terror-Report-web.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HJS-Trafficking-Terror-Report-web.pdf Shelf Number: 147622 Keywords: Human Trafficking Modern Slavery Sexual ViolenceTerrorism Terrorist Financing |
Author: Human Rights Watch Title: "All of My Body Was Pain": Sexual Violence against Rohingya Women and Girls in Burma Summary: Burmese soldiers committed widespread rape against women and girls during the military's campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Rakhine State. Since August 25, 2017, more than 600,000 Rohingya have fled killings, sexual violence, and mass arson, seeking refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. "All of My Body Was Pain" is based on 52 interviews with women and girls, including 29 survivors of rape. In many of the cases women and girls reported being raped by six or more soldiers. Women also described with great distress seeing security forces murder their young children or other relatives or neighbors. The journey to Bangladesh was particularly painful and difficult for survivors of gang rape walking with serious injuries and for pregnant women. Bangladesh and international donors have provided funds and critical services to assist the refugees. But numerous crimes against humanity have been committed without accountability for senior military officials or others responsible for the worst abuses. The United Nations Security Council should urgently implement a full arms embargo on Burma, impose targeted sanctions against leaders responsible for grave violations of human rights, and refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. Attention to sexual violence and other abuses suffered by Rohingya women and girls should be integrated into every aspect of the response to this human rights and humanitarian crisis. This includes rigorous investigations of the scope of sexual violence against the Rohingya, provision of medical and psychosocial services to survivors, and measures to prevent and respond to genderbased violence in refugee camps. Details: New York: HRW, 2017. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/burma1117_web_1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Burma URL: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/burma1117_web_1.pdf Shelf Number: 148282 Keywords: RapeSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Mann, Rosemary Title: Norma's Project: A Research Study into the Sexual Assault of Older Women in Australia Summary: Norma's Project was conceived in response to the experience of Norma, the mother of one of the four researchers involved in the project. Norma was a confused and vulnerable 83 year old woman who was sexually assaulted by a male staff member during a respite stay in a residential aged care facility in 2011. Norma was able to tell her story coherently and consistently, and she was able to identify her attacker. She was fortunate that her daughter and others, including police and sexual assault workers, listened and believed her account, tried to bring the perpetrator to justice, and worked hard to make her feel safe again. Nonetheless, given the lack of forensic evidence, the case against the perpetrator was not strong enough for a successful court action to be prosecuted. The idea of older women as victims of sexual assault is relatively recent and little understood. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that, despite the silence that surrounds the topic, such assaults occur in many settings and circumstances. The lack of community awareness can be partly attributed to commonly held assumptions that older women are asexual. How, then, can they be the target of sexual assault? What is unimaginable and unacceptable becomes unsayable or invisible. The significant gaps in knowledge about the sexual assault of older women present a major obstacle to the development of frameworks and strategies for prevention and intervention. Consequently the Norma's Project research team sought funding from the Australian Department of Social Services to address the gaps and increase our understandings of the settings, social contexts and vulnerabilities associated with the sexual assault of older women. The project aims to increase awareness of this important issue both within the community and amongst service providers, and to strengthen the community's ability to prevent, respond to and speak out about the sexual assault of older women. Details: Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), LaTrobe University, 2014. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: http://elder-mediation.com.au/resources/Sexual_Assault_Older_Women_Australia.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://elder-mediation.com.au/resources/Sexual_Assault_Older_Women_Australia.pdf Shelf Number: 148283 Keywords: Elder Abuse and NeglectElderly VictimsRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Title: Effective law and policy on gender equality and protection from sexual and gender-based violence in disasters - Global study Summary: This report aims to help fill a gap in knowledge on the effectiveness of national laws, policies and institutional frameworks in supporting gender equality in disaster risk management (DRM) and in preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in disasters. More specifically, it contributes to the implementation of two resolutions of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2015. These were Resolution 3 on 'Sexual and gender-based violence: Joint action on prevention and response', and Resolution 6 on 'Strengthening legal frameworks for disaster response, risk reduction and first aid. Based on global research and three country case studies - in Ecuador, Nepal and Zimbabwe - the report considers national laws and the experiences of disaster-affected communities as to their effectiveness in protecting against SGBV and ensuring gender equality in humanitarian response. Taking a broader look at DRM laws and gender, based on international comparative research, the report concludes that States should look to include mandates for gender-sensitive DRM, SGBV protection, and a minimum representation of 30% women in all DRM system institutions, and to have this outlined in their DRM laws. The report also offers a set of recommendations to governments and the IFRC, national societies and other humanitarian organisations. Details: Geneva: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2017. 80p. 3 country reports. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 19, 2018 at: http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/Gender-SGBV-Report_-Global-report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/Gender-SGBV-Report_-Global-report.pdf Shelf Number: 148885 Keywords: Disasters Gender-Based Violence Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Quadara, Antonia Title: The effects of pornography on children and young people: An evidence scan Summary: In 2016, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) was engaged to review what the available research evidence tells us about the impact exposure to and consumption of online pornography has on children and young people. The increasing availability of pornography online has raised concerns about the impacts it may have on children and young people's: knowledge of, and attitudes to, sex; sexual behaviours and practices; attitudes and behaviours regarding gender equality; behaviours and practices within their own intimate, sexual or romantic relationships; and risk of experiencing or perpetrating sexual violence. The purpose of this project was not to duplicate the considerable work undertaken by other researchers working on these issues (e.g., Flood, 2009; Flood & Hamilton, 2003a, 2003b; Sabina, Wolak, & Finkelhor, 2008; Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2007; Ybarra & Mitchell, 2005). Rather, the purpose was to synthesise recent research and current approaches/interventions across this range of domains to inform future initiatives to reduce the negative impacts of pornography on children and young people. Approach Between August and October 2016, the research team reviewed the available research regarding: the effects of pornography on children and young people in relation to the issues listed above; and current approaches and interventions that have been developed to address the negative effects of pornography and support respectful relationships. Research undertaken in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Ireland, Scandinavia and Canada was prioritised. To varying degrees, the international contexts listed here share some similarities with Australia, such as political and legislative systems. However, the implications of the research are not fully transferable. The literature was then synthesised to: draw conclusions about the key effects of pornography on children and young people and how this relationship between pornography and associated impacts is best understood; identify factors that might help explain or mediate the relationship between exposure to pornography and other "sexualising" materials and the impact on children and young people (i.e., risk and protective factors); and identify promising approaches to addressing this issue with children and young people, including key learnings. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2017. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 20, 2018 at: https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/rr_the_effects_of_pornography_on_children_and_young_people_1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/rr_the_effects_of_pornography_on_children_and_young_people_1.pdf Shelf Number: 148896 Keywords: Child WelfarePornographySexual Violence |
Author: Dank, Meredith Title: Exploratory Research into the Intersection of Forced Marriage, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Violence Summary: This exploratory study aimed to broaden the literature on forced marriage to examine forced marriage in the United States context. The study focused on the nature and scope of forced marriage in the context of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as the adequacy of service provider and criminal and civil justice system stakeholder responses to forced marriage. Based on 7,791 valid responses to an Urban Institute survey administered through Google Consumer Survey, we estimated a sample prevalence rate of forced marriage in the U.S. at 11.2%. We then conducted analyses of interviews with 24 people who experienced forced marriage or knew someone who did and 15 service providers and other stakeholders. Through this, we explored both the intersection between forced marriage and violence and abuse as well as services needed and received by those who have experience forced marriage. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2018. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed February 14, 2018 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251485.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251485.pdf Shelf Number: 149123 Keywords: Forced Marriage Intimate Partner Violence Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: End Rape on Campus Australia Title: Connecting the dots: Understanding sexual assault in university communities Summary: The following report is the result of End Rape on Campus Australia's extensive experience working with and advocating for student survivors of sexual assault. We believe that everyone has a right to an education free from sexual violence and that educational institutions have the responsibility of addressing sexual assault within their communities, both at the level of primary prevention, as well as through providing quality, trauma-informed services and pathways for reporting incidents of sexual assault. In this submission, we provide an overview of the problem of sexual assault at tertiary educational institutions in Australia, including the nature and extent of the issue, the obstacles a survivor may face when reporting and accessing support, and the historical context of universities' failure to respond to this issue. We have made a number of recommendations for change both at individual universities, and at the level of State and Federal Governments, to address the ongoing problem of sexual assault in university communities. The nature and extent of sexual assault within university communities At present, there is little reliable data on sexual assault prevalence rates at Australian universities, however national statistics show that young women in general are at a significantly greater risk of experiencing sexual assault than any other group of people. Recent media cases and data obtained through FOI investigations indicate that sexual assault and harassment is occurring at concerning rates at Australian universities and colleges. Attitudes which minimise sexual assault, shift blame onto victims or normalise non-consensual activity create a climate in which sexual assault is both more likely to occur, and less likely to be recognised and reported. We note that the perpetrators of sexual assault are overwhelmingly male, reflecting the gendered nature of sexual assault as a crime of power and control. In many instances, rape occurs off campus, in domestic settings such as share-houses, apartments, house parties, and so on. Although many universities restrict their attention to incidents which have occurred on campus, EROC Australia believes that this distinction is artificial. All instances of sexual assault experienced by a student have the potential to affect their ability to study and to participate in the university community regardless of where the assault took place. In this section, we also outline the role of witnesses and responders to acts of sexual assault, including friends of the victim, tutors, Residential Advisors and student representatives. There is an overarching lack of training and support for these supporters, creating a real risk of vicarious trauma. We provide several de-identified case studies from our work, illustrating common responses to sexual assault in university communities. The aftermath of rape: survivor needs in the wake of sexual assault Survivors often have a range of complex needs after experiencing sexual assault. In many cases, these needs are not met by the systems in place at universities for responding to requests for support. Part of the problem is the lack of a holistic approach to supporting survivors. Sexual assault can cause not only psychological and medical issues, but also financial stress, difficulty with academic tasks, the need for legal support, and housing issues, amongst others. In many cases, universities fail to make the connection between these needs and a student's experience of sexual assault. Even whereuniversities do endeavour to provide for some of these needs - for example, by referring students to oncampus counselling services - these services are often inaccessible and not specialised for responding to trauma. In particular, survivors have faced difficulties accessing the support they need with academic tasks, such as extensions or special considerations for assignments, time off from lectures or class, and changes to timetabling arrangements. Strict requirements for particular documentation, or automated systems that frequently reject applications, can cause significant anxiety for survivors. On-campus counselling services pose another problem. These services are often understaffed or underfunded, and many lack counselling staff with trauma specialist training, leading to some survivors receiving improper, and at times dangerous, treatment. Understanding the history and context of responses to sexual assault at Australian universities Sexual assault is not a new issue at Australian universities - student activists have been urging universities to address sexual violence for many decades. However, little progress has been made in improving policies, services and structures for reporting sexual violence. The overarching problem with universities' collective failure to address sexual violence is the conceptualisation of the problem as primarily a private concern or a woman's responsibility. Incidents of sexual assault are treated as rare, disconnected and random, rather than the inevitable product of a social context with deep-rooted and persistent gender inequality. This attitude leads to university campaigns that perpetuate various rape myths - for example, the misleading 'stranger danger' narrative leads to suggestions that better lighting on campus would reduce sexual assault. In many cases, universities seem to believe an adequate response to the prevalence of sexual assault is to publish 'safety tips' that urge women to modify their behaviour to avoid being sexually assaulted and perpetuate the idea that women hold responsibility for their own safety. Notably, such strategies fail to make perpetrators accountable for sexual assault. Universities also tend to conceptualise sexual assault as always, and only, a police matter. Many university websites urge survivors to report their experiences to police. Commonly, survivors are told that the university cannot take action unless the incident has been reported to police, or until a criminal conviction is secured. However, universities do in fact have disciplinary and misconduct procedures, which give university officials the power to investigate student misconduct, make findings, and deliver penalties. These procedures can provide important pathways of restitution for survivors, and can ideally deliver practical outcomes to support a survivor's welfare, such as removing the perpetrator from a class or from campus. Contrary to much university rhetoric, most university decision-making procedures are also supported by longstanding principles of administrative law, which acknowledge and regulate decision-making by nonjudicial bodies and provide protections for both survivors and alleged perpetrators. Barriers and challenges to reporting sexual assault within university communities There are many reasons that survivors may not choose to disclose their assault, whether informally, to friends and family, or formally, to professional support services, to the police or to their university. Barriers to informal reporting include emotional barriers, such as the fear of not being believed, as well as social, cultural, linguistic and structural barriers. There are also many obstacles to formally reporting instances of sexual assault - for example, inaccessible or poorly publicised reporting systems or a lack of trust in institutional procedures. Details: s.l.: End Rape on Campus Australia, 2017. 69p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2018 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/58b3d08ddb29d6e7a2b8271d/1488179368580/Connecting+the+dots.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/58b3d08ddb29d6e7a2b8271d/1488179368580/Connecting+the+dots.pdf Shelf Number: 149314 Keywords: Campus CrimeCampus RapeColleges and UniversitiesRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: End Rape on Campus Australia Title: The Red Zone: An investigation into sexual violence and hazing in Australian university residential colleges Summary: The Red Zone Report details an extensive history of hazing, sexual assault and harassment at residential colleges around the country. In the foreword, Professor Catherine Lumby calls the report "sickening reading". In a series of powerful photos, presidents and Women's Officers from student organisations have written messages for their universities, such as '68 college students are raped per week in Aus. USyd WoCo has had enough', 'We stand with the silenced', 'Universities are covering up rape - but we will not be silent', and '12% of all campus rape happens in a single week: O Week'. Details: s.l.: End Rape on Campus Australia, 2018. 211p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 5, 2018 at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/5a95cf99e4966ba2c2a64ca5/1519767581881/The+Red+Zone+Report+2018 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5762fc04f5e231826f09afae/t/5a95cf99e4966ba2c2a64ca5/1519767581881/The+Red+Zone+Report+2018 Shelf Number: 149316 Keywords: Campus CrimeCollege and UniversitiesCollege HazingCollege RapeRapeSexual Violence |
Author: Davison, Laura Title: Ensuring Safe Transport With and For Women and Girls in Port Moresby Summary: Public transport is a vital service in urban spaces, especially for women and girls. The ability to access safe, affordable and reliable transport enables women to participate in economic activity, access education, health, and other important services, and positively contributes to sustainable development. The extractive industry has recently increased economic activities in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Not only have these activities widened the gap between the rich and the poor, they have led to an increase in employment in, and domestic migration to, the city. This in turn has led to greater mobility needs among Port Moresby's residents. As the choice of transport mode is related to socioeconomic status, it is disadvantaged groups that are more reliant on public transportation. In Port Moresby public motor vehicles (PMVs/buses) and taxis are the major mode of transport, with very low levels of ownership of private vehicles among city residents. Similar to other cities in middle-income and low-income countries, PMVs and taxis in Port Moresby are often in a state of disrepair. Drivers may be unskilled and show low adherence to traffic laws, while enforcement of restrictions placed on registration and maintenance is negligible. In addition to this, there is direct correlation between the high rates of unemployment among men in Papua New Guinea, and the frequent carjackings and armed robberies of both private and public vehicles. For women and girls in particular, the use of public transportation poses specific risks of sexual harassment (SH) and other forms of sexual violence (SV). This report demonstrates that despite frequent experiences of violence against women and girls (VAWG)5 while using public transport, women still heavily rely on and use both PMVs and taxis, especially women and girls in disadvantaged communities, as they are the group least likely to have access to other forms of transportation. Details: Papua New Guinea: UN Women, 2014. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 28, 2018 at: https://unwomen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/UNW_safe_public_transport.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Papua New Guinea URL: https://unwomen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/UNW_safe_public_transport.pdf Shelf Number: 149601 Keywords: Public Transportation Sexual Harassment Sexual ViolenceTransit Crime Transit Safety Violence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Latchford, Lia Title: Young people who sexually harm peers in groups: A Rapid Evidence Assessment of International Literature Summary: This literature review was conducted by the University of Bedfordshire to develop an evidence base on young people who sexually harm in groups, by synthesising existing literature on group harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), wider group offending and group interventions. Using a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) methodology, the review addresses the following research objectives: Provide a critical overview and synthesis of existing literature on harmful sexual behaviour, group offending and group interventions and what this means for practice Identify the gaps and limitations in existing research on young people who sexually harm peers in groups Consider how existing evidence could be applied and built upon to respond to young people who sexually harm peers in groups The literature was identified, screened, coded, and synthesised to draw out the following key findings: There is a limited evidence-base focused on young people who display harmful sexual behaviour within a group context. The majority of literature is located in the USA and the Netherlands, with fewer studies generated from other parts of Europe Young people who sexually harm in a group context have a mixed profile with a range of individual characteristics and situational contexts that differ between young people Group harmful sexual behaviour, like broader group offending, is found to peak during adolescence and decline into adulthood Peer influence, group pressure and group dynamics impact on young people who sexually harm, and engage in wider offending behaviour, within a group context. Group roles are flexible and may change from one situation to another The literature did not identify existing interventions that work to respond to group harmful sexual behaviour The literature review concludes that there is scope to explore adaptations to Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and interventions such as detached youth work, that work with young people in their own environments, to begin to address group-based harmful sexual behaviour. The review suggests that it may be useful to equip practitioners who already work with young people in a group context, with the skills to respond specifically to group-based harmful sexual behaviour and to appropriately safeguard those affected. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, International Centre Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, 2016. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2018 at: https://contextualsafeguarding.org.uk/assets/documents/IC-literature-review-on-group-HSB.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: https://contextualsafeguarding.org.uk/assets/documents/IC-literature-review-on-group-HSB.pdf Shelf Number: 149619 Keywords: Group OffendingJuvenile Sex OffendersPeer CriminalitySex Offenders Sexual Abuse Sexual Violence |
Author: Chung, Donna Title: Young Women from African Backgrounds and Sexual Violence Summary: Service providers have recently reported increasing numbers of young African women accessing unplanned pregnancy and relationship services, with related concerns about domestic violence. This research explores how young women, aged 18 to 25 years, from African refugee and migrant backgrounds understand and experience sexual coercion and violence, and how service providers respond to their needs. The study drew on an online survey of service providers, individual and group interviews with young women from African backgrounds, and focus groups with service providers. The researchers faced challenges due to the sensitive nature of the topic of sexual violence and the silence that surrounds it, but achieved interviews and focus groups involved 21 young women. They found no agreement among the young women about what constitutes sexual violence, which was mostly defined in terms of stranger rape. Concerns about community judgement and exclusion, arising from stigma associated with sexual violence and the myths, beliefs and attitudes surrounding it created barriers for young women from African backgrounds speaking about men's sexualised behaviour. These barriers were compounded by other barriers such as language, transport, caring responsibilities, work/study commitments and other settlement issues. Service providers' input to the study highlighted the need for future service efforts being directed towards education and awareness raising, using culturally appropriate methods and sites. There is a need for increased cultural sensitivity and responsiveness of organisational and worker practices to improve their capability of working with young people from African backgrounds, together with specialist sexual violence responses for younger women in their early teens. Details: Canberra: Criminology Research Advisory Council. 2018. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2018 at: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1718/07-1213-FinalReport.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1718/07-1213-FinalReport.pdf Shelf Number: 149969 Keywords: African Women Domestic ViolenceGender-Based Violence Migrants Refugees Sexual Coercion Sexual Violence Victim Services Violence Against Women |
Author: Childnet Title: Young people's experiences of online sexual harassment. Project deSHAME Summary: For most young people the internet plays an essential role in their friendships and relationships, providing positive opportunities for communication, connection and self-expression. However, for many young people, online sexual harassment is embedded in their digital lives and to some extent normalised and expected. It emerges as part of the wider dynamic of their peer group and intimate relationships. In this report, online sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual conduct on any digital platform and it is recognised as a form of sexual violence. Online sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of behaviours that use digital content (images, videos, posts, messages, pages) on a variety of different platforms (private or public). It can make a person feel threatened, exploited, coerced, humiliated, upset, sexualised or discriminated against. This report specifically focuses on peer-topeer online sexual harassment taking place between young people. Such harassment takes place in a gendered context, with girls being more likely to be targeted than boys - particularly for some forms of online sexual harassment - and these incidents often resulting in more negative outcomes for girls. In this report online sexual harassment has been categorised in four main types. These different behaviours are often experienced simultaneously and can overlap with offline experiences of sexual harassment. Non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos: A person's sexual images and videos being shared without their consent or taken without their consent. Exploitation, coercion and threats: A person receiving sexual threats, being coerced to participate in sexual behaviour online, or blackmailed with sexual content. Sexualised bullying: A person being targeted by, and systematically excluded from, a group or community with the use of sexual content that humiliates, upsets or discriminates against them. Unwanted sexualisation: A person receiving unwelcome sexual requests, comments and content. The findings of the survey, focus groups and case study analysis demonstrate the prevalence of these forms of online sexual harassment and the short and long term impact on mental health and well-being they can have on young people. The research provides an indication that the experience and impact of online sexual harassment is unique to the individual and dependent on numerous intersecting factors, including actual or perceived gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, special educational need or disability. The report also highlights both the similarities and differences in the experiences of young people in Denmark, Hungary and the UK. Details: s.l.: Project deSHAME , 2017. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 18, 2018 at: http://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Project_deSHAME_Dec_2017_Report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: http://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Project_deSHAME_Dec_2017_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 150268 Keywords: Computer CrimesInternet CrimesOnline VictimizationSexual ExploitationSexual HarassmentSexual Violence |
Author: Heilman, Brian Title: Masculine Norms and Violence: Making the Connections Summary: Male identity and masculine norms are undeniably linked with violence, with men and boys disproportionately likely both to perpetrate violent crimes and to die by homicide and suicide. While biology may play a role in shaping a tendency toward certain forms of violence, the "nature" of men and boys is not the sole predictor of their violent behaviors or experiences. Rather, boys and men are often raised, socialized, and/or encouraged to be violent, depending on their social surroundings and life conditions. Why is it that men and boys are disproportionately likely to perpetrate so many forms of violence, as well as to suffer certain forms of violence? To add a new dimension to the complex answer, this report explores "masculine norms" - messages, stereotypes, and social instructions related to manhood that supersede and interact with being born male or identifying as a man - as crucial factors driving men's violence. It combines a review of academic and grey literature with program evidence and input from expert reviewers across several fields of violence prevention, making the connections between harmful masculine norms and eight forms of violent behavior: - Intimate partner violence - Physical violence against children (by parents or caregivers) - Child sexual abuse and exploitation - Bullying - Homicide and other violent crime - Non-partner sexual violence - Suicide - Conflict and war This report is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the evidence. Rather, it is an introductory-level analysis of key research findings on the links between harmful masculine norms and violent behaviors, as well as a contribution to an ongoing conversation on how to disassociate masculine norms from violence. While this report focuses on how violence is often generated as part of male socialization, it also seeks to present examples and research on men and boys' resistance to harmful masculine norms and violence. Details: Washington, DC: Promundo-US, 2018. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2018 at: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Masculine-Norms-and-Violence-Making-the-Connection-20180424.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Masculine-Norms-and-Violence-Making-the-Connection-20180424.pdf Shelf Number: 150406 Keywords: BullyingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHomicidesIntimate Partner ViolenceMale ViolenceMasculinitySexual Violence |
Author: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Title: "We Keep It In Our Heart": Sexual Violence Against Men and Boys in the Syria Crisis Summary: This exploratory study examined sexual violence against men and boys in the Syria crisis and their access to services in Jordan, Lebanon, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). In addition to a review of the literature and an online survey completed by 33 key informants, in-country data collection was undertaken in October 2016. Key informant interviews with 73 humanitarian personnel from 34 agencies were conducted as well as 21 focus group discussions with 196 refugees. Questions probed the characteristics and scope of sexual violence against men and boys, the impact on male survivors and their families, and the availability and utilisation of services for male survivors in countries of asylum. The findings and recommendations presented in the report offer a starting point for unpacking and addressing a complex, under-investigated issue. Given the challenges in researching this taboo topic, sexual violence against men and boys is likely occurring under a variety of circumstances not identified in this exploratory study. Additional investigation and attention are imperative to clarify the scope of sexual violence against males, prevent this violence where possible, and effectively meet the needs of survivors. Details: Geneva: UNHCR, 2017. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed july 31, 2018 at: https://riselearningnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sirya-pic.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Syria URL: https://riselearningnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sirya-pic.pdf Shelf Number: 150971 Keywords: Child Sexual abuse Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Men, Boys |
Author: Rantala, Ramona R. Title: Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2012-15 Summary: Presents data on allegations and substantiated incidents of inmate-on-inmate and staff-on-inmate sexual victimization reported to correctional authorities in prisons, jails, and other adult correctional facilities for each year from 2012 through 2015. Sexual victimization includes nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contact, staff sexual misconduct, and inmate or staff sexual harassment. Companion tables in the Survey of Sexual Victimization in Adult Correctional Facilities 2012-15 - Statistical Tables will include counts of sexual victimization reported by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, state prison systems, and large jail jurisdictions. Data are from BJS's Survey of Sexual Victimization (SSV, formerly the Survey of Sexual Violence), which has annually collected official records on inmate sexual victimization since 2004. Highlights: Correctional administrators reported 24,661 allegations of sexual victimization in 2015, nearly triple the number recorded in 2011 (8,768). The increase in allegations of sexual victimization from 2011 to 2015 coincided with the release in 2012 of the National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape. In 2015, an estimated 1,473 allegations were substantiated (determined to have occurred), up 63% from the 902 substantiated in 2011. Fifty-eight percent of substantiated incidents of sexual victimization in 2015 were perpetrated by inmates, while 42% were perpetrated by staff members. The number of allegations in prisons increased from 6,660 in 2011 to 18,666 in 2015 (up 180%). During the 3-year aggregated period of 2013-15, there were an estimated 15,875 allegations of inmate-on-inmate sexual harassment, of which 2,426 (16%) were substantiated based on completed investigations. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2018. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 16, 2018 at: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca1215.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svraca1215.pdf Shelf Number: 151147 Keywords: Inmates Jails Prison Rape Prisoners, Sexual Victimization Prisons Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Sexual Violence |
Author: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Title: Mexico Coahuila: ongoing crimes against humanity Communication to the International Criminal Court Summary: This report, along with a series of confidential annexes, will be submitted on July 6th as a communication to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under Article 15 of the ICC Statute. It details a number of crimes committed against the civilian population in the State of Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico, including murder, illegal imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture and sexual violence. The crimes detailed herein are limited to a certain number of representative cases occurring between 2009 and 2016. However, these cases are non-exhaustive and indicative of broader patterns of abuse, both in the state of Coahuila and in other regions in Mexico, pushing this situation past a matter of organised crime and into the field of crimes against humanity. The present communication to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC is presented by the FIDH, Familias Unidas en Busqueda y Localizacion de Personas Desaparecidas, Fuerzas Unidas por Nuestros Desaparecidos en Mexico, and Centro Diocesano para los Derechos Humanos Fray Juan de Larios, in partnership with Red Todos los Derechos Para Todas y Todos (which gathers more tan 80 non governmental organizations in Mexico), la Comision Mexicana de Defensa y Promocin de los Derechos Humanos (PDH), I(dh)eas Litigio Estrategico en Derechos Humanos, la Fundacion Para La Justicia y el Estado Democratico de Derecho, el Centro de Derechos Humanos Juan Gerardi, la Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos, las Asociadas por lo Justo, el Instituto Mexicano de Derechos Humanos and Democracia, Fundar Centro de Analisis e Investigacin, Casa del Migrante de Saltillo, Pastoral Penitenciaria de Saltillo Pastoral Social de la Diocesis de Saltillo. Mexico ratified the Rome Statute on October 28, 2005. Accordingly, the ICC has subject matter jurisdiction and temporal jurisdiction over the crimes committed in Mexican territory or by Mexican nationals from January 1, 2006 forward, according to Article 2 (2) and Article 126 (2) of the Rome Statute. Our organisations respectfully request the OTP to consider this Communication according to its obligations under Article 15 of the ICC Statute by opening a preliminary examination into the situation in Mexico, with a view towards a future investigation, as there is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC have been committed. Details: Paris: FIDC, 2017. 70p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2018 at: https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/angmexico_coahuila_ongoing_crimes_against_humanity_fidh-final_a_revisar-1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Mexico URL: https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/angmexico_coahuila_ongoing_crimes_against_humanity_fidh-final_a_revisar-1.pdf Shelf Number: 151511 Keywords: DisappearancesHomicidesHuman Rights AbusesOrganized CrimeSexual Violence |
Author: Council of Australian Governments Title: National Plan to reduce violence against women and their children - including the first three-year Action Plan Summary: Domestic and family violence and sexual assault are crimes that must be stopped. In Australia, around one in three women has experienced physical violence, and almost one in five has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. That is why the Commonwealth, state and territory governments worked with the community to develop a 12-year National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan). Released in 2011, the National Plan explains what we are doing to reduce violence against women and their children. Its vision is that: Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities. Over 12 years the National Plan aims to achieve: A significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children. The National Plan focuses on the two main types of violent crimes that have a major impact on women in Australiadomestic and family violence and sexual assault. Research shows there is a strong link between violence against women and their children and how people view the roles of women and men. The National Plan focuses on stopping violence before it happens in the first place, supporting women who have experienced violence, stopping men from committing violence, and building the evidence base so that we learn more about 'what works' in reducing domestic and family violence and sexual assault. These changes take time, which is why we need a long-term plan. Each of the four Action Plans build on each other over 12 years, and are designed so that we can look back at what has been achieved and refocus on what actions will make the most difference in the future. Details: Greenway, ACT: Australian Government Department of Social Services, 2018. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 18, 2018 at: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2014/national_plan1.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2014/national_plan1.pdf Shelf Number: 151578 Keywords: Abusive Men Child Abuse and Neglect Domestic Violence Family Violence Sexual Assault Sexual ViolenceViolence Against Women, Children |
Author: Merkle, Ortrun Title: A Gender Perspective on Corruption Encountered during Forced and Irregular Migration Summary: Policymakers are starting to pay more attention to the links between migration and corruption. This study explores a specific area of these links, by examining the ways in which corruption affects the migration journeys of women - be they regular, irregular, forced or voluntary. It does so by looking at experiences of corruption in countries of origin, transit and destination. The analysis is based on desk research and interviews with stakeholders and migrants conducted between April and May 2017. We find that corruption comes into play whenever legal options for migration are limited, and this seems to be a constant throughout all stages of the migration process of several migrant groups. While both men and women encounter corruption during the various stages of the migration process, this study finds that women are especially vulnerable to atypical forms of corruption, including sexual extortion ('sextortion') when their financial capital is limited. Women travelling alone are particularly vulnerable to different forms of corruption and sexual exploitation, which can have negative consequences on their short-, medium- and long-term mental and physical health. The report concludes that sextortion, which occurs at the intersection of sexual violence and corruption must be clearly defined as a form of corruption and a criminal offence. The report continues with policy recommendations for the country of origin, transit and destination both in the realm of anti-corruption as well as women's empowerment and concludes with suggestions for further research. Details: Eschborn, Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 2017. 63p.p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 22, 2018 at: https://i.unu.edu/media/migration.unu.edu/attachment/4665/A-Gender-Perspective-on-Corruption-Encountered-during-Forced-and-Irregular-Migration.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://i.unu.edu/media/migration.unu.edu/attachment/4665/A-Gender-Perspective-on-Corruption-Encountered-during-Forced-and-Irregular-Migration.pdf Shelf Number: 153038 Keywords: CorruptionMigrantsMigrationRefugeesSexual ExploitationSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Swerin, Danielle Title: Sexual Violence in Idaho: 2009-2015 Summary: Introduction Sexual violence is a significant concern in the United States. Nationally, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 59 men have been raped in their lifetime. Results from the Idaho Crime Victimization Survey indicate that 202 per 1,000 residents have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime; based on current population estimates, this equates to more than 330,000 Idaho residents. The purpose of this report is to inform the criminal justice community and other interested parties about the prevalence, characteristics, and response to sexual violence in Idaho. Information discussed throughout this report reflects reported sexual violence in Idaho from 2009 through 2015. Details: Washington, DC: Justice Research and Statistics Association, 2017. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 16, 2019 at: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Health/Sexual%20Violence%20Prevention/Sexual%20Violence%20Report%202016.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://www.jrsa.org/pubs/sac-digest/vol-27/id-sexual-violence-2016.pdf Shelf Number: 154206 Keywords: Female Idaho Idaho Crime Victimization Survey Law Enforcement Response Rape Sex Crimes Sexual Assault Sexual Violence |
Author: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Title: Consultation Paper: Criminal Justice Summary: The importance of a criminal justice response Criminal justice for victims In Chapter 2, we discuss the importance of a criminal justice response for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Criminal justice involves the interests of the entire community in the detection and punishment of crime in general, in addition to the personal interests of the victim or survivor of the particular crime. Survivors have told us of a variety of responses they have sought from the criminal justice system, and they have expressed a range of views on what they would have regarded as 'justice' for a criminal justice response. We recognise that a criminal justice response is important to survivors not only in seeking 'justice' for them personally but also in encouraging reporting of child sexual abuse and preventing child sexual abuse in the future. Past and future criminal justice responses In private sessions and in personal submissions in response to Issues Paper No 8 Experiences of police and prosecution responses (Issues Paper 8), we have heard accounts from survivors of their experiences with police, particularly from the 1940s onwards, and of their experiences with prosecutions from the 1970s and 1980s onwards. Survivors have told us of both positive and negative experiences with police and prosecution responses. In general terms, many of the negative experiences we have been told about were experienced in earlier periods of time through to the early 2000s. In our policy work on criminal justice responses, our main focus must be on understanding the contemporary response of the criminal justice system to institutional child sexual abuse and on identifying how it can be made more effective. Criminal justice and institutional child sexual abuse The criminal justice system is often seen as not being effective in responding to crimes of sexual violence, including adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse, both institutional and noninstitutional. Research identifies the following features of the criminal justice system's treatment of these crimes: - lower reporting rates - higher attrition rates - lower charging and prosecution rates - fewer guilty pleas - fewer convictions. There are also features of institutional child sexual abuse cases that may affect the ability of the criminal justice system to respond effectively to these cases. These include: - 'word against word' cases, where there are no eyewitnesses to the abuse and no medical or scientific evidence - the importance of the complainant being willing to proceed, particularly where their evidence is the only direct evidence of the abuse - lengthy delays, where many survivors take years, even decades, to disclose their abuse. This can make investigation and prosecution more difficult - particularly vulnerable victims may be involved, including young children or people with disability. There are also many myths and misconceptions about sexual offences, including child sexual abuse, that have affected the criminal justice system's responses to child sexual abuse prosecutions. The myths and misconceptions have influenced the law and the attitudes jury members bring to their decision-making. The following myths and misconceptions have been particularly prominent in child sexual abuse cases: - women and children make up stories of sexual assault - a victim of sexual abuse will cry for help and attempt to escape their abuser that is, there will be no delay in reporting abuse and a 'real' victim will raise a 'hue and cry' as soon as they are abused - a victim of sexual abuse will avoid the abuser that is, a 'real' victim will not return to the abuser or spend time with them or have mixed feelings about them - sexual assault, including child sexual assault, can be detected by a medical examination that is, there will be medical evidence of the abuse in the case of 'real' victims. Operation of the criminal justice system There has been much academic debate about what might be said to be the purposes of the criminal justice system. In addition to the purpose of punishing the particular offender, the criminal justice system also seeks to reduce crime by deterring others from offending. The criminal justice systems in Australian jurisdictions function through an 'adversarial' system of justice, where the prosecution (representing the Crown) and the defence (representing the accused) each put forward their case and any evidence in relation to whether the act was committed, by whom, and with what intent. Theoretically, this 'contest between the parties' is designed to produce the most compelling argument as to what the truth of the matter is. Given that the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters is undertaken by the state, there is seen to be an imbalance between the prosecution and the accused. In recognition of this imbalance, a number of principles have emerged through the development of the common law to ensure that trials are conducted fairly. These include the following: - The prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused committed the crime or crimes charged. The corollary of this principle is that the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. - The accused has a right to silence. This means that the accused cannot be compelled to give evidence or confess guilt. - The criminal trial should be conducted without unreasonable delay. - The accused has the right to examine witnesses in order to test the credibility of the witness and their testimony. - The prosecution is obliged to act independently and impartially and to conduct the case fairly. - If an accused is charged with a serious offence and lacks the financial means to engage legal representation, he or she should be provided with a lawyer. Many survivors have told us that they feel that the criminal justice system is weighted in favour of the accused. Some survivors who have participated as complainants in prosecutions have told us that they felt almost incidental to the criminal justice system and that they had little control over matters that were very important to them. Recognition of victims has increased over the last 50 years. States and territories introduced victims' compensation schemes from 1967 onwards. In the 1990s, emphasis shifted towards providing greater support services for victims. Victim impact statements were also introduced, and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) guidelines required prosecutors to consult with victims. In 2013, Australia's Attorneys-General endorsed the National Framework for Rights and Services for Victims of Crime. Other responses to institutional child sexual abuse A number of stakeholders have argued that the Royal Commission should consider the use of restorative justice approaches (involving a range of processes to address the harm caused to victims) in connection with, or instead of, traditional criminal justice responses to institutional child sexual abuse. It appears that restorative justice may not be available for or of assistance to many survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, including: - because of the power dynamics and seriousness of institutional child sexual abuse offending, restorative justice approaches may only be suitable in only a small number of these cases. - many survivors do not wish to seek a restorative justice outcome with the perpetrator of the abuse - given the frequent delay before reporting, many offenders will be unavailable or unwilling to participate in restorative justice approaches. The Royal Commission provided for elements of restorative justice approaches in institutional child sexual abuse through the 'direct personal response' component of redress. The recommendations we made in our Report on redress and civil litigation (2015) are not intended as an alternative to criminal justice for survivors. Ideally, victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse should have access to justice through both criminal justice responses and redress and civil litigation. Some survivors have also told us that they found real benefit in state and territory statutory victims of crime compensation schemes because the decisions made by the relevant tribunals or administrators gave them official recognition of the crimes committed against them. Our approach to criminal justice reforms It must be recognised that the criminal justice system is unlikely ever to provide an easy or straightforward experience for a complainant of institutional child sexual abuse. However, we consider it important that survivors seek and obtain a criminal justice response to any child sexual abuse in an institutional context in order to: - punish the offender for their wrongdoing and recognise the harm done to the victim - identify and condemn the abuse as a crime against the victim and the broader community - emphasise that abuse is not just a private matter between the perpetrator and the victim - increase awareness of the occurrence of child sexual abuse through the reporting of charges, prosecutions and convictions - deter further child sexual abuse, including through the increased risk of discovery and detection. We also consider that seeking a criminal justice response to institutional child sexual abuse is an important way of increasing institutions', governments' and the community's knowledge and awareness not only that such abuse happens but also of the circumstances in which it happens. We consider that all victims and survivors should be encouraged and supported to seek a criminal justice response and that the criminal justice system should not discourage victims and survivors from seeking a criminal justice response through reporting to police. We are satisfied that any necessary reforms should be made to ensure that: - criminal justice responses are available for victims and survivors who are able to seek them - victims and survivors are supported in seeking criminal justice responses - the criminal justice system operates in the interests of seeking justice for society, including the complainant and the accused. Regulatory responses to child sexual abuse However, it is unrealistic to expect that all true allegations of institutional child sexual abuse will result in a criminal conviction of the accused, even if the criminal justice system is reformed to achieve these objectives. We recognise the importance of ensuring that regulatory responses focusing on child protection can interact effectively with criminal justice responses, particularly in cases where there is no criminal conviction. These regulatory responses include reportable conduct schemes, Working with Children Check schemes and industry regulation. Details: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 709p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 20, 2019 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/consultation-papers Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Consultation%20Paper%20-%20Criminal%20justice.pdf Shelf Number: 154273 Keywords: AbuserAustraliaChild AbuseChild Sexual AbuseDirector of Public ProsecutionsInstitutional ResponseNational Framework for Rights and Services for VicRestorative JusticeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceSurvivorsTestimonyVictim |
Author: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Title: School Violence and Bullying: Global Status Report Summary: A 2012 report by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children notes that 'more than one billion children around the world attend school. Many of these children enjoy their right to be taught in a safe and stimulating environment. For many others, however, schooling does not guarantee such opportunity. These girls and boys are exposed to bullying, sexual and gender-based violence, corporal punishment and other forms of violence... Many are also exposed to schoolyard fighting, gang violence, assault with weapons, and sexual and gender-based violence by their own peers. New manifestations of violence are also affecting childrens lives, notably the phenomenon of cyberbullying via mobile phones, computers, websites and social networking sites.' The scope of school violence and bullying#School violence encompasses physical violence, including corporal punishment; psychological violence, including verbal abuse; sexual violence, including rape and harassment; and bullying, including cyberbullying. #Bullying, which is a type of violence, is a pattern of behaviour rather than an isolated event, and it has an adverse impact on the victim, the bully and bystanders. Bullying has been defined as 'unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time'. Bullying and cyberbullying are a key concern for children and adolescents. School violence and bullying is perpetrated by other students, teachers and other school staff; violence that occurs on the way to and from school may also be perpetrated by members of the wider community. It is important to differentiate between violence perpetrated by peers and violence perpetrated by educational institutions or their representatives as this distinction influences both the impact of and the response to violence. There is some evidence to suggest that girls are more likely to experience sexual violence and that boys are more likely to experience corporal punishment, or more severe corporal punishment, in school than girls, although girls are not exempt. The underlying causes of school violence and bullying include gender and social norms and wider contextual and structural factors. Much school violence and bullying is related to gender; gender-based violence is violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering against someone based on gender discrimination, gender role expectations or gender stereotypes or based on differential power status linked to gender. The most vulnerable children and adolescents, including those who are poor or from ethnic, linguistic or cultural minorities or migrant or refugee communities or have disabilities, are at higher risk of school violence and bullying. Children and adolescents whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression does not conform to traditional social or gender norms are also disproportionately affected.School violence and bullying can occur inside and outside the classroom, around schools, on the way to and from school, as well as online. In school, bullying often occurs in places such as toilets, changing rooms, corridors and playgrounds where children and adolescents are less easily be seen or supervised by teachers and other school staff. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (2012). Tackling violence in schools: A global perspective bridging the gap between standards and practice.2See for example StopBullying.gov This report uses the UN definition of children as those aged under 18 years and adolescents as those aged 10-19 years. 9Summary - Different types of violence and bullying often overlap. Children and adolescents may experience violence and bullying both at home and at school and in the real and virtual worlds. Those involved in bullying can be both victims and perpetrators. For example, those who report bullying others online commonly report also being bullied by others online and online victims are also often bullied in person.#Many victims of school violence and bullying do not tell anyone about their experience. Reasons include lack of trust in adults, including teachers, fear of repercussions or reprisals, feelings of guilt, shame or confusion, concerns that they will not be taken seriously or not knowing where to seek help. School violence and bullying is often invisible to or ignored by teachers and parents. In some contexts, adults view corporal punishment, fighting and bullying as a normal part of discipline or growing up and are not aware of the negative impact it has on the education, health and well-being of children and adolescents.The prevalence of school violence and bullying#School violence and bullying occurs throughout the world and affects a significant proportion of children and adolescents. It is estimated that 246 million children and adolescents experience school violence and bullying in some form every year. Estimates of the proportion of children and young people affected by school bullying specifically vary between countries and studies, ranging from less than 10% to over 65%. In the 2016 UNICEF U-Report/ Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC) opinion poll, to which 100,000 young people in 18 countries responded, two-thirds of respondents reported that they had been the victim of bullying. UNESCO evidence review found that the proportion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students (LGBT ) experiencing school violence and bullying ranged from 16% to 85% and the prevalence of violence was between three and five times higher among LGBT students than among their non-LGBT peers. Cyberbullying is a growing problem. Most available data on the prevalence of cyberbullying is from surveys conducted in industrialised countries, and this suggests that the proportion of children and adolescents who are affected by cyberbullying ranges from 5% to 21% and that girls appear to be more likely to experience cyberbullying than boys.Available data suggests that physical violence is less common in schools than bullying, but much available data is from industrialised countries; anecdotal evidence suggests that physical violence is a serious problem in schools in other regions. #Specific data on sexual violence in and around the school setting is limited, since many victims are hesitant to report acts of sexual violence for fear of being shamed or stigmatised or because they are concerned that they will not be believed or will face retaliation from their aggressor or aggressors. Nevertheless, available figures suggest that sexual violence and abuse in schools, perpetuated by staff and by other students, is a reality for many students, particularly girls. Details: Paris: UNESCO, 2017. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 24, 2019 at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246970 Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246970 Shelf Number: 154402 Keywords: Cyberbullying School Bullying School Crime School Violence Sexual Violence |
Author: National Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Multiple Disadvantage Title: Breaking Down the Barriers: Findings of The National Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Multiple Disadvantage Summary: Recent work on multiple disadvantage has focused on a set of common issues: homelessness, offending and substance use. As a result, work on multiple disadvantage has predominantly focused on men who are identified as having higher rates of these three issues. When the definition of multiple disadvantage is changed to incorporate the impact of violence against women and girls, however, a different balance emerges. One in every 20 women have experienced extensive physical or sexual violence and abuse across their life course, compared to one in every 100 men. This equates to 1.2 million women in England alone. These women face very high rates of problems like mental ill-health, addiction, homelessness and poverty. More than half have a common mental health condition, one in five have been homeless and one in three have an alcohol problem. Gendered violence also mediates the pathway to women's criminalisation, as most women in contact with the criminal justice system have faced domestic or sexual violence. Furthermore, this is also reflected in the experiences of many women involved in prostitution. Recent work on multiple disadvantage has focused on a set of common issues: homelessness, offending and substance use. As a result, work on multiple disadvantage has predominantly focused on men who are identified as having higher rates of these three issues. When the definition of multiple disadvantage is changed to incorporate the impact of violence against women and girls, however, a different balance emerges. One in every 20 women have experienced extensive physical or sexual violence and abuse across their life course, compared to one in every 100 men. This equates to 1.2 million women in England alone. These women face very high rates of problems like mental ill-health, addiction, homelessness and poverty. More than half have a common mental health condition, one in five have been homeless and one in three have an alcohol problem. Gendered violence also mediates the pathway to women's criminalisation, as most women in contact with the criminal justice system have faced domestic or sexual violence. Furthermore, this is also reflected in the experiences of many women involved in prostitution. Details: London: Agenda; AVA; Lloyds Bank Foundation, 2019. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 27, 2019 at: https://weareagenda.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Breaking-down-the-Barriers-full-report-FINAL.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://weareagenda.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Breaking-down-the-Barriers-full-report-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 154774 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceHomelessnessProstitutionSexual ViolenceSubstance AbuseViolence Against Women and Girls |
Author: Quigg, Zara Title: STOP-SV: a training programme to prevent nightlife-related sexual violence (Evaluation Report) Summary: Globally, sexual violence is a key public health issue, placing large burdens on individuals' health and well-being, local communities and services. Accordingly, preventing sexual violence and associated risk factors are key targets in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) . Efforts to understand, prevent and respond to sexual violence have increased in recent decades. Importantly, studies have started to emerge highlighting nightlife environments as key settings for sexual violence, and critically the importance of developing and implementing prevention strategies in these settings. However, few prevention strategies exist that specifically aim to address nightlife related sexual violence. As part of the European Union Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme, in 2016 the STOPSV (staff training on prevention of sexual violence) project was established with partners from the Czech Republic (Charles University), Portugal (IREFREA), Spain (IREFREA) and the United Kingdom (UK; Liverpool John Moores University). The primary aim of STOP-SV is to support the prevention of nightlife related sexual violence, through: 1. Mobilising local communities and developing community coalitions to work together to prevent nightlife related sexual violence; 2. Providing local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to train nightlife staff (e.g. servers, security) so that they can recognise and effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence in nightlife; and, 3. Training nightlife workers so that they can recognise and effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence in nightlife. Based on existing literature on nightlife related sexual violence, and programmes that aim to prevent and respond to sexual violence through bystander intervention, the project developed a new pilot training programme for nightlife workers. In 2017/18, STOP-SV project partners from three pilot site countries (Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain) identified and tutored local stakeholders (i.e. training facilitators; Czech Republic n=5; Portugal n=11; Spain n=12, Appendix 1) to implement the STOP-SV training programme with nightlife workers in their respective countries. Subsequently, training facilitators implemented a training session with 114 nightlife workers (i.e. trainees; Czech Republic n=70; Portugal n=26; Spain n=18). A research study was conducted to evaluate the implementation and impact of the pilot STOP-SV training programme. The core objectives were to explore: The views of project partners, training facilitators and trainees of the STOP-SV training programme (following the piloting); and, The associated impact of the STOP-SV pilot training programme on nightlife workers': - Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of sexual violence; and, - Confidence in intervening in sexual violence in nightlife settings. In addition, the study sought to explore nightlife workers': Experience of identifying vulnerable patrons and/or sexual violence in nightlife settings; and, Personal experience of sexual violence in nightlife settings. Details: Liverpool: Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2019 at: https://phi.ljmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/STOP-SV-a-training-programme-to-prevent-nightlife-related-sexual-violence-evaluation-report.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Europe URL: https://phi.ljmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/STOP-SV-a-training-programme-to-prevent-nightlife-related-sexual-violence-evaluation-report.pdf Shelf Number: 154940 Keywords: Alcohol-Related Crime, ViolenceBystander InterventionNight-time EconomyPublic Health IssueRapeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceViolence prevention |
Author: Safe State Title: Acting to End Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Summary: Yet one in five women experience sexual violence and one in four women experience violence by a current or former partner. We can't let this continue. We must act now. Our Government must act to: Create cultural change to prevent violence and promote gender equality; Provide immediate and ongoing support for people experiencing violence; Ensure people experiencing violence have a safe home; Ensure people experiencing violence can access justice safely; Enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to lead change to end violence; Be accountable to specialist workers and the wider community. It's time to act now to ensure every person can live free from violence. Details: NSW: The Author, 2019. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 27, 2019 at: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/safensw/pages/41/attachments/original/1540514938/A_Safe_State_-_Final_Policy_Platform_%28Oct_2018-Mar_2019%29.pdf?1540514938 Year: 2019 Country: Australia URL: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/safensw/pages/41/attachments/original/1540514938/A_Safe_State_-_Final_Policy_Platform_%28Oct_2018-Mar_2019%29.pdf?1540514938 Shelf Number: 155174 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Prevention |
Author: Basile, Kathleen C. Title: Stop SV: A Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence Summary: This technical package represents a select group of strategies based on the best available evidence to help communities and states sharpen their focus on prevention activities with the greatest potential to reduce sexual violence (SV) and its consequences. These strategies focus on promoting social norms that protect against violence; teaching skills to prevent SV; providing opportunities, both economic and social, to empower and support girls and women; creating protective environments; and supporting victims/survivors to lessen harms. The strategies represented in this package include those with a focus on preventing SV from happening in the first place as well as approaches to lessen the immediate and long-term harms of SV. Though the evidence for SV is still developing and more research is needed, the problem of SV is too large and costly and has too many urgent consequences to wait for perfect answers. There is a compelling need for prevention now and to learn from the efforts that are undertaken. Commitment, cooperation, and leadership from numerous sectors, including public health, education, justice, health care, social services, business/labor, and government can bring about the successful implementation of this package. What is a Technical Package? A technical package is a compilation of a core set of strategies to achieve and sustain substantial reductions in a specific risk factor or outcome. Technical packages help communities and states prioritize prevention activities based on the best available evidence. This technical package has three components. The first component is the strategy or the preventive direction or actions to achieve the goal of preventing SV. The second component is the approach. The approach includes the specific ways to advance the strategy. This can be accomplished through programs, policies, and practices. The evidence for each of the approaches in preventing SV or its associated risk factors is included as the third component. This package is intended as a resource to guide and inform prevention decision-making in communities and states. Details: Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2019 at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-prevention-technical-package.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-prevention-technical-package.pdf Shelf Number: 155504 Keywords: Rape Sex Crimes Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Sexual Violence Violence Prevention |
Author: Great Britain. HM Government Title: Ending Violence against Women and Girls: 2016-2020. Strategy Refresh Summary: In March 2016 we published our new VAWG Strategy, which sets out an ambitious programme of reform, and was supported by increased funding of L80m. In March 2017, the Chancellor announced additional funding of 20m pounds to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse, bringing the total committed to L100m, over twice what was committed during the previous Parliament. Our long-term vision remains the same, and so this Strategy is set out according to our existing strategic pillars: prevention, provision of services, partnership working, and pursuing perpetrators. The crimes addressed through this strategy are the crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls, which are domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and so-called 'honour-based' violence including forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). We will continue to measure our success by seeking reductions in overall prevalence of these crimes as measured by the Crime Survey of England and Wales, and seek increased prosecutions and convictions, where appropriate. It is important to bring together our work in the UK with efforts to tackle these issues internationally, and so the 2016 Strategy, and this refresh, represents a 'One Government' approach. This Strategy Refresh also sits alongside other, closely linked pieces of work from across government such as the Victims' Strategy. We are clear that all victims of crime should be supported, but that particular hidden crimes merit their own, focused, response. We will also continue to ensure that our response to vulnerable people, and programmes of work to tackle modern slavery and child sexual abuse and exploitation, remain joined up and mutually supportive of this agenda. This refresh does not provide full details of all that has been achieved since 2016, and nor does it set out our full strategic vision for VAWG, which remains with the 2016 Ending VAWG Strategy. This document does not overtake the 2016 Strategy, and both should be considered together. Instead, this refresh provides a brief update on delivery achieved so far, captures additional programmes of work that have contributed to this agenda, and sets out new, additional actions that government will take forward that goes beyond those set out in the 2016 Strategy While we know that these crimes disproportionately affect women and girls, we also recognise that men and boys are victims too. The vision set out in this Strategy applies to male as well as female victims, but we have published a Male Victims Position Statement alongside this document, which clarifies and strengthens our response to male victims of these crimes, while still recognising the disproportionate impact on women. Details: London: Author, 2019. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2019 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/783596/VAWG_Strategy_Refresh_Web_Accessible.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/783596/VAWG_Strategy_Refresh_Web_Accessible.pdf Shelf Number: 155606 Keywords: Domestic Violence Family Violence Female Genital MutilationForced Marriage Gender-Based Violence Honor Based ViolenceModern Slavery Rape Sexual Violence StalkingViolence against Women and Girls |
Author: Fields, Shawn E. Title: Sexual Violence and Future Harm: Lessons from Asylum Law Summary: Sexual violence victims face unique and enduring safety risks following an assault. The legal system's gradual shift from solely punishing offenders for past acts to protecting survivors from future harm reflects a recognition of this fact. But so-called "sexual assault protection order" statutes impose onerous "future harm" requirements - including proof by clear and convincing evidence that another sexual assault is imminent - that belies the realities of ongoing injury for victims and creates barriers to protection similar to the criminal justice approach to rape. This Article suggests a different approach, one justified by a novel analogy to the refugee protection paradigm. Asylum law prospectively protects applicants upon a showing that they have a "well-founded fear" of future persecution. Only the most severe forms of discrimination qualify as "persecution." But applicants who can prove they have suffered a single act of past persecution enjoy a rebuttable presumption of future harm. Both courts and Congress have recognized the propriety of this presumption, given the "atrocity" of persecution and the permanent scarring it causes to "the mind of a refugee." The same logic applies to sexual violence, long considered "the most heinous crime" short of murder. By transplanting the evidentiary framework from asylum law to sexual civil protection, this Article does two things unique in scholarly literature: 1) provides the first comprehensive consideration and overhaul of the sexual violence protection order regime, and 2) reconceptualizes asylum as a form of prospective civil protection. Details: Bules Creek, North Carolina: Campbell University School of Law, 2019. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 8, 2019 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3380319 Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3380319 Shelf Number: 156332 Keywords: Asylum Law Rape Sexual Assault Sexual Assault Protection Order Sexual Violence |
Author: Wimpelmann, Torunn Title: Adultery, Rape, Escaping the House: The Protection and Policing of Female Sexuality in Afghanistan Summary: This working paper undertakes an initial survey of the dynamics through which the criminalization of female sexuality structures women's access to protection against rape in Afghanistan, examining both legislation and legal practice. Given the relative dearth of existing research and material on this topic in Afghanistan (but see Latiff 2009; Tawfik 2009), this paper is necessarily preliminary in scope. It nonetheless puts forward three, interrelated arguments. Firstly, the paper argues that rape victims' vulnerability to incrimination for zina (and the acute unpredictability about the grounds for incrimination) hinders their access to justice. Secondly, the paper argues that the zina-rape relationship in its narrow sense only partially addresses the nexus between the criminalization of female sexuality and protection against rape. A fuller appreciation of this nexus necessitates zooming out: initially to a peculiar Afghan legal practice - the detaining of women for "running away" from home - and then to how that practice blocks protection against a prevalent form of sexual violence in Afghanistan - forced marriage. Finally, the paper suggests that linkages between the protecting of women against sexual abuse and the policing of female sexual conduct must be understood in the context of a state whose default position has been to relegate female sexuality to family control, rather than to directly intervene. Thus, while the Afghan state has routinely prosecuted and detained women (as well as some men) for consensual sexual transgressions, it has not, by and large, sought to use the figure of the unchaste or immoral woman as a tool for expanding its power over society, in the way witnessed, for instance, in contemporary Iran and Sudan (as well as in Afghanistan during Taliban rule). Correspondingly, the state has also been a reluctant intervener in regulating coercive sexual crimes. In a number of high profile rape cases, the government has only acted when popular mobilization has forced it to. Its standard response, particularly during the Karzai presidency, seems to have been that the regulation of women's sexuality properly belongs to the domain of family control. Details: Bergen, Norway: CHR Michelsen Institute, 2017. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 14, 2019 at: https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/6404-adultery-rape-and-escaping-the-house.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Afghanistan URL: https://www.cmi.no/publications/6404-adultery-rape-and-escaping-the-house Shelf Number: 156796 Keywords: Adultery Afghanistan Forced Marriage Rape Sexual Abuse Sexual Violence |