Evidence for reduction of risk/incidence of sexual violence in conflict and crisis: A systematic review

The Global Health Unit of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM)is undertaking a systematic review supported by an ADRA grant from AusAID and the UK Department for International Development. The research question is What is the evidence of impact of initiatives to reduce risk and incidence of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict states and humanitarian crises? The review is registered with Eppi-Centre who support many systematic reviews focussing on low to middle income countries. The protocol is now available at https://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Q-WhIlmx17U%3D&tabid=3174


BACKGROUND TO THE REVIEW

Sexual violence (SV) is defined by the International Criminal Court defines it as a sexual act committed against a person, or in which a person is caused to engage in sexual acts by force, threat of force or coercion such as that cased by fear of violence, duress, detention, psychological oppression or abuse of power, or by taking advantage of a coercive environment or a person’s incapacity to give genuine consent. Although prevalence data is incomplete, extensive documentation exists that SV increases in the context of conflict, with indications that there is an increasing trend. Included are sexual exploitation and abuse by non-hostile combatants, peace keepers and humanitarian staff. In post-conflict settings, abuse from partners/family is pervasive, as men attempt to reassert control. Lack of law enforcement, community networks and physical protective infra-structures also increase risk for SV.

The need to specifically address risk of sexual violence in conflict zones received impetus in October 2000 with United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1325 that recognised the impact of conflict on women and girls and their increased vulnerability to SV during conflict. Three additional resolutions followed: Resolution 1820 (2008) calls for an end to widespread conflict-related sexual violence and for accountability in order to end impunity. Resolution 1888 (2009) calls for strengthened leadership and institutional capacities within the UN and member states to end conflict-related sexual violence appointment of a Special Representative to monitor and report the issue. Resolution 1889 (2009) called for the establishment of global indicators to measure progress on UNSCR 1325 implementation. Together, the resolutions on Women Peace and Security focus is on the 4 “P”’s i) Prevention of conflict; ii) Protection of women and girls during conflict; and iii) Participation of women in: Peacekeeping  peacemaking  peace building  political decision-making  iv) Prosecution of sexual  war crimes. (http://www.unifem.org.au/Content%20Pages/Gender%20Issues/peace-security)

Numerous guidelines and protocols have now been developed to operationalize these resolutions including the Guidelines for Sexual Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings: Focusing on prevention of and Response to Sexual Violence in Emergencies developed by UNHCR and OCHA, and disseminated by the IASC in September 2005. The Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in Crisis Situations has similar aims, as does the SPHERE Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (2011). In March 2010, the United Nations established the Civil Society Advisory Group on Women, Peace, and Security (CSAG) to advise the Secretary-General on protecting women's rights during armed conflict. The group’s assessment of progress in 2010 was that operational guidance on sexual violence in displacement is often excellent, but knowledge of guidelines is incomplete and the implementation is even weaker.

Responses included in guidelines and other interventions to date to prevent sexual and sexual violence include:  

  • Personnel: Military/peacekeepers / police / aid workers; use of codes of conduct, training on attitudes/ protocols/ responses; policies to reduce opportunity by personnel; deployment or increased recruitment of female officers; foot and vehicular patrols / security detail to vulnerable areas; establishment of safety protocols  eg collection of firewood
  • Infrastructure: use of physical screening; segregation of areas
  • Peace building: Incorporating sexual violence in ceasefire negotiations and monitoring; including women in negotiating bodies 
  • Community mobilization: promotion of reporting; education of rights in regard to sexual coercion; increasing opportunities for women to participate in political, economic and social activities 
  • Men’s education: Perpetrator programs undertaken in demobilization/disarmament/ reintegration

 Other types of initiatives are aimed at post-occurrence of assaults. These include: 

  • Victim responses: Provision of medical, forensic evidence collection and /or psycho-social responses to individuals;
  • Prosecutions / Tribunals specialist prosecution units; specialist courts; campaigns to prosecute  through the International Criminal Court.  

METHODOLOGY

The review adopts realist approach, chosen for fit as it addresses the impact of context; and aims to understand underlying intervention mechanisms. Criteria for inclusion - (1) focus on an intervention representing an effort to reduce risk or incidence of sexual or GBV against women and children; (2) qualitative and/or quantitative data on impact or failure of intervention; and (3) studies published since 1990.

Reliable evidence of incidence of abuse is unlikely to be available. Adaptation of indicators for GBV in development suggests proxy measures including:

  • Reported incidents of sexual violence;  
  • Establishment of protocols based on international guidelines; 
  • Sexual violence cases for which prosecution has been commenced/concluded or disciplinary action taken;
  • Women demonstrating awareness of rights and services eg. knowledge of services/ willingness to report unwanted sex/ able to say no to sexual assault/ knowing the legal rights of women / confidence in personnel.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP

The project is supported by a expert group of practitioners who will assist in identifying key literature and trends and in interpreting the findings. It includes:
Dr Claudia Garcia-Moreno - Director, Gender, Reproductive Rights, Sexual Health and Adolescence, WHO
A/Prof  Anna Whelan - Regional Director of East & South East Asia & Oceania (ESEAO)
Sarah Chynoweth Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme in Crisis and Post-Crisis Situations in East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SPRINT). 
Barbara O'Dwyer - Advisor IPFF ESEAO & SPRINT. 
Chen Reis - Health Action in Crises, World Health Organization
Prof Louise Chappell - Law Faculty, University of New South Wales
Sophie Read-Hamilton - Action Aid, Sydney
Sarah Spencer – Consultant – Humanitarian Aid & Protection
Kavitha Suthanthiraraj Consultant - Gender and Human Rights
Bernard Pearce, Ending Violence Against Women Adviser AusAID

Key UNSW contacts
Prof. Anthony Zwi: a.zwi@unsw.edu.au
Dr Jo Spangaro: j.spangaro@unsw.edu.au