Gender-based Violence Prevention Research Articles

"I'll Try and Make Myself as Small as Possible": Women and Gender-Diverse People's Safety Work on Public Transport.

Public transport is a known hotspot for sexual violence and harassment. Through 41 interviews with women and gender-diverse people who have experienced sexual violence and harassment on public transport, we found that women and gender-diverse people engage in extensive "safety work," such as changing their behavior, strategizing, and planning. Safety work takes considerable time and effort, often leaving participants feeling stressed. However, participants advocated for changes to public transport to reduce the work they do to stay safe. We argue that significant changes, including primary prevention of gender-based violence, are needed to reduce their safety work.

Performativity in Women’s Courts’ Initiatives for Gender-Based Violence Prevention in India

Performativity in Women’s Courts’ Initiatives for Gender-Based Violence Prevention in India

UPROOTING A CULTURE OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA: CRITICAL APPROACHES TO BAIL, POLICING AND AWARENESS

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious and systemic problem in South Africa. The government has attempted to address the problem by introducing several initiatives including sexual offences courts, and various laws aimed at protecting women and children. However, the recent reform is not sufficient. Only a limited number of bail reforms were introduced. This article proposes several additional bail reforms aimed at protecting women and children against GBV. Also, more proactive measures need to be undertaken to reduce GBV. This includes reform in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and awareness campaigns. These initiatives are important because they target GBV at its roots. First, the article provides a brief overview of the culture of GBV and the efforts of the South African government to curb it. This is followed by an analysis of how bail proceedings can be amended to have a greater impact on GBV prevention. The article then analyses proactive measures geared towards improving the role of the SAPS, and promoting awareness campaigns to combat the scourge of GBV.

Gender-Based Violence: Engaging Children in the Solution

The goal is to investigate how kids may act as change agents in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). It looks at how well different interventions work to give kids the information, abilities, and self-assurance they need to talk about GBV. Key Topics: Theoretical frameworks (such as Social Cognitive Theory and Ecological Systems Theory) for comprehending children's behavior and learning within the setting of GBV. The efficacy of various treatments, such as curriculum modules, creative expression exercises, and bystander intervention training, in including children in GBV prevention. effects of treatments over time on kids' attitudes and actions about GBV. gaps in the body of knowledge regarding kids' contributions to GBV prevention. Principal Arguments/Results: With focused interventions, children can be invaluable allies in the fight against GBV. Good interventions can raise children's awareness, competence, and self-assurance in dealing with GBV. More research is required to determine how treatments affect kids' attitudes and actions over the long run. For change to be sustained, it is essential to address the underlying causes and contextual elements of GBV. Methodology/approach: The literature on children's involvement in GBV prevention is reviewed and analyzed in this review. It makes use of reports, academic articles, and other pertinent sources. Significance/Implications: This review highlights how critical it is to give kids the tools they need to prevent GBV. It provides knowledge to help academics, practitioners, and politicians create solutions that work and pave the way for a world without violence.

Queer joy-centered sexuality education: offering a novel framework for gender-based violence prevention

2SLGBTQ+ people face disproportionately high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) compared to cisgender heterosexual people. Scholars have predominantly responded to this violence by reporting on victimization, which homogenizes queer and trans life as misery. To avoid reproducing this joy-deficit, we propose a novel approach that centers queer sexual joy. As rape culture is symptomatic of cisheteronormativity, queer sexual joy is a useful analytic with which to subvert GBV. Drawing on findings from the Queer Sexual Joy project, a mixed-methods study involving 100 young adults from Canada and the US, we introduce six recommendations for a framework to focalize queer and trans sexual joy in GBV prevention education, including: 1) containers for safety; 2) communication strategies; 3) bodily autonomy; 4) trauma-informed, anti-oppression, 5) pleasure; and 6) dissociation and grounding practices. We propose that GBV education rooted in queer sexual joy would reorient all youth from hegemonic sexual scripts and provide a frame for more just sexual cultures.

Canadian Gender-Based Violence Prevention Programs: Gaps and Opportunities.

Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programs have long played an important part in both teaching the realities of GBV and training people in techniques to avert, mitigate, and respond to violence. This article examines the current state of GBV prevention training in Canada through an analysis of 81 GBV education programs provided by antiviolence organizations and universities. We identified notable gaps in topics relating to technology-facilitated violence and abuse in programs targeting men and in the provision of bystander intervention training. Each of these areas represents important, but as yet unrealized, opportunities in violence prevention.

Gender differences in homicides. A comparative analysis of 106 fatalities in forensic autopsy data.

While most homicides worldwide are committed against men, women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and its fatal consequences. The Istanbul Convention mandates the prevention of gender-based violence, particularly against women. This study analyzes the characteristics of male and female victims of homicides to provide a comprehensive understanding of the different situations and ways in which men and women are killed. Files of 106 forensic autopsies of homicide victims aged 14 years and older (51.9% males, 48.1% females) from 2012 to 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, previous history with a focus on the perpetrator-victim relationship, substance influence, type of violence and law enforcement data were recorded. A gender-separated statistical analysis was carried out. Male victims were killed most often outside their own home (63.6%) by acquaintances or friends (54.5%). They were frequently under the influence of substances (56.4%). The perpetrators suffered from addictive diseases in 49.1%, and 52.7% had prior convictions. In both groups, stab/cut injuries were the most common causes of death, but stab/cut and gunshot injuries occurred more frequently in male victims. Female victims were killed most often in their own homes (76.5%) by intimate partners (62.7%). Compared to male victims, violent asphyxiation and blunt force trauma were more common causes of death. Furthermore, there was a higher frequency of multiple injuries (33.3%). The prevalence of a guilty verdict of the perpetrators was nearly equal in both groups. Gender-specific aspects should be considered when investigating homicides and establishing prevention and intervention strategies for interpersonal violence. Protective concepts are easier to establish in the public sphere than in private homes, which is why homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement, and legislation. Significant gender differences were found in the circumstances and the perpetrator-victim relationships of homicides. Gender-specific aspects should be taken into account when investigating homicides and developing prevention and intervention strategies. Homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement and legislation.

A positive yet complicated case of gender-based violence coordination: a qualitative study of Lebanon's protracted humanitarian emergency, 2012-22.

Gender-based violence (GBV), a global health and human rights concern, often intensifies during emergencies. This paper explores the evolution of GBV coordination in Lebanon's protracted Syrian refugee crisis from 2012-22. Utilising 38 in-depth interviews and a document review, the findings were analysed using the framework for effective GBV coordination. Lebanon provides a positive yet complicated example of GBV coordination. Initially established to address the refugee crisis, it matured into a collaborative national coordination mechanism, fostering trust and advancing localisation amidst sectarian complexities. However, the volatile, restrictive policy context hindered government co-leadership and engagement with refugee-led organisations. While essential GBV response services were expanded nationwide, lack of an interagency strategy on GBV risk mitigation and prevention compromised lasting change. The paper emphasises the importance of dedicated GBV coordinators, multi-year funding, and increased attention to GBV prevention. The findings underscore the transformative potential of humanitarian responses and advocate for enhanced engagement with national stakeholders to promote sustainability in protracted crises.

A qualitative investigation of gender-based violence prevention and response using digital technologies in low resource settings and refugee populations

ABSTRACT Background: Governmental and non-governmental organizations across medical, legal, and psychosocial sectors providing care to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and their families rapidly digitalized services during the COVID-19 pandemic. GBV prevention/response services working with women and children who are forcibly displaced and/or living in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC) were no exception to the rapid digitalization trend. Literature is lacking a critical synthesis of best practices and lessons learned since digitalization replaced major operations involved in GBV prevention/response. Objective: This research qualitatively investigated how GBV service providers, located in a range of socio-political settings, navigated the process of digitalizing GBV prevention/response during the COVID-19 crisis. Method: Semi-structured key informant interviews (KII) with GBV service providers in varied sectors were implemented virtually (2020–2021) in Brazil, Guatemala, Iraq, and Italy (regarding forcibly displaced women/girls for the latter). Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Interview guides covered a range of topics: perceived changes in violence and service provision, experiences with virtual services, system coordination, and challenges. The KIIs were conducted in Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. The research team conducted thematic analysis within and between countries using a structured codebook of data driven and theory driven codes. Results: Major themes concerned the: (1) spectrum of services that were digitalized during the COVID-19 crisis; (2) gender digital divide as a barrier to equitable, safe, and effective service digitalization; (3) digital violence as an unintended consequence of increased digitalization across social/public services. Conclusion: Digitalization is a balancing act with respect to (1) the variety of remotely-delivered services that are possible and (2) the access/safety considerations related to the gender digital divide and digital violence.

Barriers and opportunities for gender-based violence prevention & response at universities in Sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT Globally, one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence and sub-Saharan Africa displays increased rates of gender-based violence (GBV) compared to other regions. There is limited information on the factors sustaining GBV among university students in sub-Saharan Africa as well as barriers and opportunities towards its effective prevention and management. This study explores and describes the GBV prevention needs at six universities in five sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe) using a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews (n = 27) were conducted with key stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, community members). Main findings showed that GBV is influenced by location and types of relationship with the perpetrator, and some of the barriers to implementing GBV prevention programmes are patriarchal norms, lack of awareness, and poor institutional infrastructure. Identified areas for opportunity are raising awareness, early warning signs for prevention, proactive system-wide response, justice for survivors, and fair punishment. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Current prevention and response resources are not equitably available to individuals of all genders and sexual orientations at universities across sub-Saharan Africa. There is a need for promotion of institutional partnership, shared knowledge, and resources for addressing GBV among all university students within sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing gender-based violence through social protection: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Development practitioners are searching for novel ways to address gender-based violence (GBV) in the wake of what the UN Secretary General termed a “shadow pandemic” of violence against women (VAW). Social protection systems, which are oriented towards preventing poverty and improving quality of life, contain a wide range of policy tools with potential for addressing GBV, yet their application has been largely underexplored. This paper brings the fields of social protection and GBV together through a comprehensive scoping review and presentation of the “state of the evidence”. The paper moves beyond a focus on standalone programs to synthesise findings on the cross-cutting mechanisms by which the policies, programs, and administrative features of social protection systems can be leveraged to address violence against women in particular. The paper contributes to scholarship and practice by identifying promising entry points and design factors, as well as future directions for an actionable research agenda at the nexus of social protection and GBV prevention and response.

The prevention of gender-based violence at the European Union

El proyecto de integración europea, con sus casi 70 años de antigüedad, ha logrado eficacia en determinadas áreas, como por ejemplo la política monetaria (adoptando el Euro como moneda común en la mayoría de los países de la Unión Europea). No obstante, ante un desafío como el de la pandemia por la COVID-19 y el aumento de los casos de violencia de género durante el confinamiento, los Estados han reaccionado individualmente sin un plan comunitario aparente.
 El Convenio de Estambul establece parámetros de cooperación para el abordaje de la violencia de género, así como instancias de control sobre las políticas a cargo de grupos expertos (GREVIO). Durante la pandemia, el Consejo de Europa ha instado a los Estados miembros a apegarse a dicho convenio para dar respuesta al fuerte crecimiento de casos de violencia por causas de género. La respuesta ha demorado más de lo esperado. ¿Acaso los Estados Nacionales europeos no están dispuestos a ceder soberanía en esta área o es que el tema ha sido subestimado no consiguiendo hacerse espacio suficiente en la agenda de Bruselas? El objetivo general de esta investigación es analizar el nivel de integración que existe en la Unión Europea respecto a las políticas de género, revisando el recorrido histórico desde la creación de la ONU hasta los tiempos de la pandemia

A policy review on the visibility of migrant women exposed to, and at risk of gender-based violence: Considerations for inclusive and equitable policies and programs in Canada.

Gender based violence (GBV) has had distinct and disproportionate impact on the health and wellbeing of migrant women in Canada. Currently, there is dearth of documented information concerning the inclusion of migrant women in GBV-related public policies in Canada. The present study examines the extent to which Canadian public policies reflect and address the needs of migrant women who have experienced GBV. We conducted a policy review of publicly available documents at federal and provincial (British Columbia and Ontario) levels. Migrant women's visibility in the Canadian policy landscape remains limited, as their unique needs are often grouped into broader categories such as 'newcomers, or visible minorities'. This approach fails to acknowledge their distinct lived experiences. Regardless of the federal and provincial efforts in developing policies targeted at GBV prevention, several significant policy gaps came to light. These include the absence of well-defined protective measures for migrant women in precarious employment as well as the hurdles posed by immigration restrictions that pose a significant challenge for those seeking to leave abusive relationships, particularly in cases of dependent migration status. The highlighted policy gaps have negative impact on migrant women's social functioning, including limiting access to services and opportunities, and this has adverse effects on their overall health and wellbeing. To ensure the effectiveness and significance of GBV policies, it is imperative that policymakers acknowledge and target the distinct vulnerabilities and needs of migrant women who experience GBV. The inclusion of an intersectional perspective in the formulation and implementation of policies is essential, as it facilitates the recognition of the distinct needs of migrant women. Failure to acknowledge these varying needs and the real-life experiences of this diverse group can jeopardize the comprehensive and successful implementation of GBV response policies, not only in Canada but also worldwide. Prioritizing this aspect is crucial.

Implementation of Healthy Men Healthy Communities: A Health Promotion and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Program for Male South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda.

Men living in refugee settings are often exposed to violence, poverty, and social instability, which impacts physical and mental health and increases the risk of perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence. Healthy Men Healthy Communities was developed as a male-led health promotion program to address men's physical and mental health and their role in creating healthy relationships and families. Three community leaders from the settlements were trained to facilitate the program, which was implemented among six groups consisting of twelve men in each group. Pre/post surveys and feedback were collected among the facilitators and participants. Facilitators suggested culturally appropriate ways to present physical activities as a stress reduction technique and the importance of spacing out births. The small group setting facilitated open conversations on topics such as birth spacing and healthy partner communication. Participants experienced an increase in knowledge and confidence in practicing the program content, such as stress-reduction techniques and healthy communication strategies. Participants recommended additional topics such as fertility and sexually transmitted infections. The Healthy Men Healthy Communities program has the potential for wider implementation among male South Sudanese refugees to promote their health as well as the health of their families.

Legal status and system of bodies in the field of prevention and counteraction of domestic violence and gender-based violence

Legal status and system of bodies in the field of prevention and counteraction of domestic violence and gender-based violence

The state of scientific development of the problems of criminal liability for gender-based violence in the context of armed conflict (martial law) in Ukraine in 2015-2018

This article continues the publication of scientific articles on the state of scientific development of the issues of criminal liability for gender-based violence in the context of armed conflict (martial law) in Ukraine. The author has devoted this scientific article to the analysis of the approved dissertation research topics on gender-based violence, including its types (forms), in 2015-2018.
 It is noted that the year 2014 in the history of Ukraine is associated with the beginning of the "hybrid” war of the Russian Federation: the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (February-March) and the creation of "pseudo­republics” in the east - the so-called "dpr” and "lpr” (April). These events were the impetus for the legal assessment of such acts against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine by international organizations and foreign leaders.
 It is emphasized that during this period, civil society organizations conducted research on the use of violence, including gender-based violence, by members of illegal armed groups against both civilians and prisoners of war from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and volunteer associations. The author emphasizes that such studies were carried out within the framework of grants and were interim in nature (covering either the beginning of the armed conflict or several months).
 It is concluded that among the approved dissertation research topics on gender-based violence, including its types (forms), in 2015-2018, 52.3% or 34% do not have information on scientific publications and dissertation research or do not have texts of dissertation research freely available.
 It has been established that the increase in 2018 in the number of dissertation research topics on gender-based violence and its forms (types) is due to the adoption in December 2017 of the Laws of Ukraine "On Prevention of Gender-Based Violence” and "On the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence”. The Laws of Ukraine "On Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence” and "On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine to Implement the Provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence”. In particular, among the 24 topics of dissertation research: 8 are devoted to the problem of administrative and criminal liability for domestic violence, 4 to criminal offenses against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability of a person and its types.
 It is also noted that out of 65 topics, only 5 topics are directly devoted to the problem of gender­based violence in armed conflict and armed conflict in general, among which only one work is directly devoted to the problem of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence as an international crime.
 At the same time, in this paper, the author examined the issue of gender-based violence related to the conflict from the perspective of international law, rather than criminal liability under national law.

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN HOMICIDE–SUICIDE EVENTS: A CALL FOR ADHERENCE TO THE CDC DEFINITION FOR “MERCY KILLING”

Abstract Intimate partner homicide suicide (IPHS) events are overwhelmingly male perpetrated (90%). Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention requires ‘best practices’ for media reporting. Consider the following: In a patient room of a busy hospital, an overwhelmed man (71) suicided after firing shots at his wife (70) who had survived a stroke. The gunfire caused trauma among witnesses. Media reports used the term ‘mercy killing,’ but critical ingredients were missing. The CDC’s NVDRS (2022) defines ‘mercy killing’ as “…Killed, at the victim’s request…to end…pain or distress…Do not assume…murder/suicide by a sick, elderly couple is mercy killing.” Evidence of a clear wish to die, is needed “due to a hopeless or terminal condition.” Our IPHS, news surveillance study was updated 1999-2022 and used content analysis to identify GBV rationalizations, based upon 2219 events and over 5000 fatalities across young (n=987), middle aged (n=699), and older 60+ (n=533) categories. Only the 60+ group had claims of ‘mercy killing,’ mostly without adherence to the CDC definition. Older men who are suicidal may also harm an unsuspecting partner. For women, end of life decision-making is lost in ‘safe spaces,’ like homes or care facilities, which is made worse by rationalized excuses. Women are rarely suicidal and use passive methods (i.e., drugs). When women care for an ailing partner, they don’t commit IPHS. Older men are more suicidal and utilize more lethal firearm methods (similar to the IPHS patterns). Media best practices involve valuing persons with disabilities, publicizing services and recognizing violence is a public health problem.

Національне законодавство та міжнародні зобов’язання у сфері запобігання та протидії домашньому насильству

The article analyzes national legislation in the field of prevention and countermeasures against domestic violence and gender-based violence. The recognition of the concept of "Child witness" at the legislative level has been updated, and the problems of law enforcement practice, when the court cannot, taking into account the circumstances of the case, assess the child specifically as a victim in situations where she only witnessed domestic violence. It was noted that the requirement of the Istanbul Convention to establish one or more official bodies responsible for the coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and measures to prevent all forms of violence and to combat all forms of violence that fall under the scope of this Convention was embodied by placing to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine for the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of prevention and countermeasures against domestic violence, coordination of the interaction of subjects involved in measures to eradicate the specified socially dangerous phenomenon. An analysis of the State Social Program for the Prevention and Counteraction of Domestic Violence and gender-based violence for the period until 2025 was carried out, and the main tasks and measures for the implementation of the specified Program were identified. It was concluded that the process of improving national legislation needs to be improved taking into account both national characteristics and international principles.

A Global Teacher Education Vision for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence

This paper invites consideration of the role of global teacher education provision in developing global citizenship and social justice aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 10. It explores how global teacher education resources, with and for social justice, can influence knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits to support and strengthen initiatives for the prevention of gender-based violence. Through an autoethnographic research approach, the paper reflects on the extent to which an inclusive learning design, shared across different country contexts, can contribute to a process of empowered learning for the prevention of gender-based violence. The findings and results of this study suggest that inclusive learning design can enhance the process and practice of creating spaces for developing collaborative awareness and communities of practice to prevent gender-based violence through education.

Healthcare provider experiences interacting with survivors of intimate partner violence: a qualitative study to inform survivor-centered approaches

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive form of gender-based violence (GBV) that is largely undisclosed, especially among women seeking healthcare services in Uganda. Prioritizing survivor needs may improve IPV disclosure. This study explores healthcare worker experiences from provider-patient interactions with survivors seeking antenatal care services (ANC) in Uganda.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted among twenty-eight experienced healthcare providers in a rural and an urban-based ANC clinic in Eastern and Central Uganda. Providers were asked what they viewed as the needs and fears of women identified as having experienced any form of IPV. Iterative, inductive/deductive thematic analysis was conducted to discover themes regarding perceived needs, fears, and normalizing violence experienced by IPV survivors.ResultsAccording to healthcare providers, IPV survivors are unaware of available support services, and have need for support services. Providers reported that some survivors were afraid of the consequences of IPV disclosure namely, community stigma, worries about personal and their children’s safety, retaliatory abuse, fear of losing their marriage, and partners’ financial support. Women survivors also blamed themselves for IPV. Contextual factors underlying survivor concerns included the socio-economic environment that ‘normalizes’ violence, namely, some cultural norms condoning violence, and survivors’ unawareness of their human rights due to self-blame and shame for abuse.ConclusionsWe underscore a need to empower IPV survivors by prioritizing their needs. Results highlight opportunities to create a responsive healthcare environment that fosters IPV disclosure while addressing survivors’ immediate medical and psychosocial needs, and safety concerns. Our findings will inform GBV prevention and response strategies that integrate survivor-centered approaches in Uganda.