The 'Zero Tolerance Village Alliance': A promising intervention for addressing sexual and gender-based violence in rural communities

Fiona Nicholson ,Craig Carty

doi:10.1186/1753-6561-9-s4-a4

Abstract

Background Worldwide, few countries have higher rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) than South Africa [1]. From 2013 to 2014 alone, nearly 50,000 rape incidents were reported to the police in the country [2]. This predicament affects the young and the old: the majority of sexual violence survivors presenting at Thuthuzela Care Centers are less than 18 years of age (60%), and 40% of all rape survivors are pre-teens under the age of 12 [1]. Nonetheless, annual reporting rates of rape in the country are comparatively low, with only 1 in 9 rapes reported each year [3]. Furthermore, the issue of sexual violence in South Africa is compounded by the linkages between such violence and HIV seropositivity [4]. Given these realities, this study sought to assess the effects of an intervention geared toward positively influencing negative community norms related to SGBV.

Highlights

Worldwide, few countries have higher rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) than South Africa [1]
Referred to as the ‘Zero Tolerance Village Alliance’ (ZTVA), the intervention was premised on the notion that changing SGBV norms would require the involvement of all community members, and that, a village would have to take ownership of the issue of SGBV, understand the need to ensure a ‘zero-tolerance’ environment against SGBV, and demonstrate motivation to have their community branded in this way
The study findings suggest that the ‘Zero Tolerance Village Alliance’ model holds promise for changing community norms around SGBV, including potentially countering stigma related to reporting SGBV experiences, increasing awareness of where to access SGBV care, and promoting gender equality

Summary

Introduction

Few countries have higher rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) than South Africa [1]. From 2013 to 2014 alone, nearly 50,000 rape incidents were reported to the police in the country [2] This predicament affects the young and the old: the majority of sexual violence survivors presenting at Thuthuzela Care Centers are less than 18 years of age (60%), and 40% of all rape survivors are pre-teens under the age of 12 [1]. The issue of sexual violence in South Africa is compounded by the linkages between such violence and HIV seropositivity [4]. Given these realities, this study sought to assess the effects of an intervention geared toward positively influencing negative community norms related to SGBV

Methods

Results

Conclusion