15 Years of the United Nations Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (pdf)
This report reviews the status of violence against women as researched in 14 annual reports, 32 country mission reports, and 11 communication reports published as recently as December 2008. The report focuses on reproductive health and rights, poverty, migration, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women refugees, trafficking, aging, and adolescent girls. It also highlights how the mandate on violence against women has changed, what has been learned, and problems still to be addressed.
2006 WATCH Victim Impact Statement Study (pdf)
This study addresses victim impact statements as given in court regarding incidences of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and the effect these statements had on the judge regarding sentencing.
An Evidence-Based Review of Sexual Assault Preventive Intervention Programs (pdf)
RTI International performed a comprehensive literature review of existing Sexual Assault Preventive Programs (SAPIs). This document provides an evidence-based review of their findings and includes extensive evaluations of existing SAPIs, identifies areas where there appear to be significant gaps, as well as provides recommendations for the change of current/future SAPIs. *This file is very large, please be patient as it downloads*
Baseline Survey on Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Rwanda (pdf)
"This study was conducted to shed light on the magnitude of sexual and gender-based violence in Rwanda, and to determine and analyze the perceptions that communities have about the nature, causes and consequences of incidents of violence. This study also explores the subsequent actions that survivors have taken, and evaluates the role of various stakeholders in preventing and fighting sexual and gender-based violence."
BJA Policy Brief: Women’s Pathways to Jail: Examining Mental Health, Trauma, and Substance Use (pdf)
"The overrepresentation of women with mental illness in jails has tragic consequences for children and families. It is important that the criminal justice field understands how mental illness, trauma, and other disorders are related to women becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The information from the Women’s Pathways to Jail study can help to develop strategies that address and respond to these issues."
A paper on the impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and exposure to family violence on the sexual, reproductive, and parenting behaviors of young men.
Cambodia: Exodus to the Sex Trade? (pdf)
"This report suggests that the global financial crisis has led to an increase of women entering the sex trafficking industry in Cambodia. Women said they entered the sex trafficking industry mostly because of “difficult family circumstances,” and because they thought they could “easily earn a lot of money, in good working conditions." In order to combat this new trend, the report recommends strengthening social safety nets, linking women seeking jobs with alternative job placement assistance, targeted awareness raising and specific information outreach on accessing social services and how to utilize safer sources of loans and credit."
Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Psychopathology: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey (pdf)
"This study examines the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent onset of psychiatric disorders, accounting for other childhood adversities, CSA type, and chronicity of the abuse."
Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities
This VAWnet paper provides a brief summary of the research on sexual abuse of women with disabilities. The document also covers the origins of our knowledge concerning the sexual abuse of women with disabilities, the methodological quandaries related to sexual abuse research in general and the data on women with disabilities and the men who abuse them, and concludes with an exploration of the efforts of women with disabilities and their allies to counter sexual abuse.
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers answers to frequently asked questions on common date rape drugs, how to identify them and the effects of each. Also offers useful tips on how to protect yourself from being a victim, and what to do if you've been drugged.
Date Rape: A Hidden Crime (pdf)
"This Australian report provides an overview of main issues underlying date rape including: incidence, difficulties in measuring extent; complicated issues around sexual consent; impact on victims; and, obstacles and options in prevention and treatment."
Dying of Sadness: Gender, Sexual Violence and the HIV Epidemic (pdf)
This paper aims to explore the relationship between sexual violence and the HIV epidemic. The paper explores this complex phehomenon with multiple determinants, consequences and manifestations.
Effects of Sexual Victimization
"This brief article lists some of the effects/symptoms that victims of sexual violence may experience."
Everything Left Behind: Internal Displacement in Colombia (pdf)
"According to a new report there are currently between 3 and 4 million internally displaced people in Colombia, among the highest in the world. Internal displacement disproportionately affects women who are indigenous, Afro-descendant, or peasant farmers. For displaced women and girls, sexual assault, exploitation, and abuse are constant threats from armed groups or people who believe the women and girls are involved with armed groups. Displaced women and girls face discrimination from the communities they move to, presenting a significant barrier to assistance for victims of violence."
Despite widespread public education, rape remains a largely underreported crime; and despite increased levels of research over the past few decades, significant gaps remain in understanding rape victimization. This NIJ Special Report takes a detailed look at the National Violence Against Women Survey findings and the researchers' recommendations for future research.
Facts: Sexual Violence for the World Report on Violence and Health
"Pulls from selected national studies to describe the global epidemic of sexual violence: The Extent of the Problem; The Consequences of Sexual Violence; What are the Risk Factors for Sexual Violence?; What Can be Done to Prevent Sexual Violence? "
Farsi Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
Farsi translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. It locates a range of abuses and abusers in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration.
Final Report: Sexual Assault Among Latinas (SALAS) Study (pdf)
A national study focusing on Latino women’s victimization involving sexual assault. The report highlights victimization experiences, help-seeking efforts, and cultural factors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Healthcare Issues and Survivors of Sexual Violence
This bulletin speaks to the long-term consequences of sexual assault and the importance of the advocacy role that medical providers must take on when working with survivors of sexual violence.
This report focuses on female migrant workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, who worked in the host countries of Bahrain, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. Researchers' key findings concluded that female migrant workers are vulnerable to HIV during all stages of employment abroad. They face sexual assault, sexual exploitation and being trafficked into the commercial sex industry while applying for or being recruited into employment, or during transit between home countries and host countries. Home countries' policies can also contribute to the problem as banning women from working abroad serves to push worker migration underground.
Homeless in Minnesota 2003 (pdf)
Drawn from interviews with more than 3,000 homeless adults and youth throughout Minnesota, this research describes some of the causes, effects, and circumstances surrounding homelessness. It identifies relationships between homelessness, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
This volume of the Research and Advocacy Digest from the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs focuses on the intersection between sexual victimization and homeless youth, and provides an overview of research on this topic area. Numerous abstracts are detailed and discussed within this context.
Homelessness and Family Trauma: The Case for Early Intervention (pdf)
A publication of Health Care for the Homeless Clinician's Network, National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This article focuses on the impact that homelessness has on children, especially for those who have experienced sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse or are in environments where this abuse is occurring. The issue addresses the need for early intervention and provides clinicians with tips on identifying signs of trauma in homeless children as well as when and how to intervene.
This report aims to bring attention to medical, psychosocial and socio-economic consequences of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report is based on medical data and testimonies collected in MSF's work in Eastern DRC.
Immigrant Women and Sexual Violence
A collection of documents that highlight the common experiences of immigrant women who are victims of sexual violence, the legal protections and public benefits available, and practices and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of services provided to immigrant women. Also included are resources and tools for immigrant women and service providers who assist them, such as advocates, lawyers, and medical professionals.
The purpose of this report is to capture and publish information from an exhaustive needs assessment process conducted over a period of nine months. In Their Own Words is the work of over 200 courageous women and men in the State of Maine who have dared to hope that the truth and wisdom of their experience will be heard by those in power, and that Maine’s mental health and human service systems will respond to the long ignored plight of children and adults traumatized by histories of interpersonal violence.
Insecurity and Indignity: Women's experiences in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya (pdf)
"A report documenting women’s experiences living in Kenyan slums. It states that women and girls in Nairobi's slums live under the constant threat of sexual violence. Violence against women is rarely prosecuted, creating a hostile living environment for women and girls. Amnesty urges the Kenyan government to address gendered violence and guarantee safe access to water and sanitation."
Interpersonal violence and alcohol (pdf)
This report by the World Health Organization presents research on the relation between alcohol and violence. It suggests that alcohol is a situational determinant which increases the risk of most types of violence. Hazardous and harmful use of alcohol has also been shown to be an important consequence of experiencing or witnessing most forms of violence, but especially child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.
Justice Denied: The experiences of 100 torture surviving women of seeking justice and rehabilitation (pdf)
"This report analyzed the experiences of 100 women from 24 countries who settled in the United Kingdom after surviving torture. The report stated that almost all of the women studied had experienced at least one incident of rape or sexual assault. The vast majority were unable to find help when they sought redress and could not access legal aid or the necessary healthcare. "
Knowledge for Health (K4Health) works to improve access to and sharing of global, regional, and country-specific public health knowledge, particularly about family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH).
"A study conducted through in-depth interviews with 71 women aged 18-49 who had a history of intimate partner violence. Findings include male reproductive control which encompasses pregnancy-promoting behaviors as well as control and abuse during pregnancy in an attempt to influence the pregnancy outcome. Recommendations include assessing for male reproductive control among women seeking reproductive health services, including antenatal care, so that health care providers may be able to provide education, care, and counseling to help women protect their reproductive health and physical safety."
Male Survivors of Sexual Assault and Rape (pdf)
"This document provides an overview of the research on male survivors of sexual assault and takes a closer look at the role that communities have in addressing this issue."
Marital Rape: New Research and Directions (pdf)
Provides an overview of the research on marital rape including a brief legal history of marital rape; a discussion of the occurrence of marital rape; a summary of the effects of marital rape; and an analysis of practitioners' intervention with marital rape survivors.
Mental Health Consequences of Sexual Violence in Detention (pdf)
"This two page fact sheet talks about the devastating consequences of sexual violence in detention and the extreme challenges that survivors may face."
Mental Health Services for Rape Survivors: Current Issues in Therapeutic Practice
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document reviews three critical issues for mental health practitioners working with rape survivors. First, current research suggests that victims experience a variety of negative mental health effects from sexual assault, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress symptoms. Second, empirical evaluations of therapeutic techniques suggest that cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can be effective in reducing short-term post-rape fear and anxiety symptoms. Finally, it is not uncommon that mental health practitioners who work with rape survivors experience distressing emotions similar to those of the survivors. Self care strategies are particularly important for therapists engaged in this kind of work.
Mobilizing Religious Communities to Respond to Gender-based Violence and HIV: A Training Manual (pdf)
The first in a series of two manuals aimed at raising awareness and educating religious leaders and communities about gender-based violence. The training manual equips religious communities with tools to deepen their awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and its link to HIV and proposes faith-based activities on the subject.
Mothers of Sexually Abused Children: Trauma and Repair in Longitudinal Perspective
This study addressed the increase in maternal psychological stress that develops following the disclosure of their child's sexual abuse. A mother's stress is often correlated and associated with the child's coping skills and level of stress, thus it is extremely important to work with mother on relieving/alleviating their stress so as to in turn work the child at healing from their sexual trauma.
No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women
Homelessness is an enormous social problem in the United States. Homeless women — including the “hidden homeless” — are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of victimization including forced, coerced, or manipulated sexual activity. Levels of victimization that women endure before, during, and after episodes of homelessness remain enormously high, often occurring in multiple settings at the hands of multiple perpetrators.
Perspectives on Acquaintance Rape
This article from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress explains and discusses key issues, definitions, and research findings regarding acquaintance rape.
Pornography and Sexual Violence
This paper explores possible connections between men's use of pornography and sexual violence, and highlights definitions of terms, appropriate methods of investigation, relevant aspects of current disputes, and how pornography reinforces and sexualizes a subordinate status of women.
Pregnancy coercion, intimate partner violence and unintended pregnancy (pdf)
In surveying females ages 16–29 years seeking care in five family planning clinics in Northern California, pregnancy coercion and birth control sabotage were found to be common among young women utilizing family planning clinics. In the context of partner violence, these findings are associated with increased risk for unintended pregnancy.
Preventing violence and reducing its impact: How development agencies can help (pdf)
This document makes the case for increased attention on the impact of violence on development by international development agencies. A key aim is to stimulate dialogue on the role of international development agencies in the prevention of violence globally, and ultimately to increase investment in a commonly agreed set of applied violence prevention strategies. The primary audience for this document is policy-makers, high-level planners, and others in the international development field.
Rape and Sexual Assault: Reporting to Police and Medical Attention: 1992-2000 (pdf)
This 2002 document provides information on the consequences of completed rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault of females that were reported to police from 1992-2000.
Registering Harm: How Sex Offense Registries Fail Youth Communities (pdf)
"This report published by the Justice Policy Institute explores the negative impact that state compliance with the Adam Walsh Act will have on youth, communities, and states. "
Report on Research on Rape and Violence (pdf)
"This report is a compendium of research on issues related to rape, sexual assault, and violence. While efforts have been made to include research from as many sources as possible, it is inevitable that other valuable sources of research may contain information no included in this report."
Report on Violations of Women’s Human Rights in Columbia (pdf)
"This report documents the ways in which the long-standing conflict in Colombia combine with government actions to result in the violation of women’s human rights. In addition to the violations committed by guerrilla groups, the report indicates that the Colombian government has carried out extra-judicial executions, groundless detentions, threats, and torture. The government is also implicated in failing to implement strategies to reduce the effects of forced displacements. "
Sexual Abuse in U.S. Immigration Detention (pdf)
"This brief fact sheet talks about the risk of sexual abuse that immigration detainees face and the difficulty of seeking assistance."
Sexual Abuse of Males: Prevalence, Lasting Effects, and Resources
Discusses the mythology, prevalence, and lasting effects surrounding sexual abuse of males. Posted resources include a bibliography and a page on Giving and receiving hope.
Sexual Assault and the Body (pdf)
This article explores the multifaceted effects of sexual assault on the victim’s body through articles on such diverse topics as negative self image, impaired sexual function, compulsive weightlifting and dental fear.
Sexual Revictimization: A Research Brief (pdf)
This research brief explores the correlation between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent sexual victimization in adulthood. It demonstrates the significant link between childhood and adulthood sexual revictimization, as well as related health problems.
"This briefing paper was prepared for the Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond, which took place in June 2006. It provides information on the nature and scope of the problem as well as evaluation of efforts to combat it."
Sexual Violence and Health: Research Brief (pdf)
This research brief analyzes research articles on the relationship between sexual violence, physical health, and mental health. The research articles, published between 2001 and 2010, demonstrate that lifetime sexual victimization is correlated with physical health problems, mental health problems and high-risk behaviors. Negative health outcomes of sexual assault afflict all sexes, stemming from both childhood and adult sexual traumas. This research brief can help stakeholders, including sexual assault advocates and health care providers, understand the ways that sexual victimization can trigger or exacerbate physical and mental health conditions.
Sexual Violence and Homelessness (pdf)
This fact sheet provides information on the link between homelessness and sexual violence, the barriers homeless face in receiving services, and what rape crisis centers can do to meet the needs of the homeless. It provides general information on the topic as well as information and statistics specific to Pennsylvania.
Sexual Violence and its Consequences among Displaced Persons in Darfur and Chad (pdf)
This briefing paper documents how the Sudanese security forces, including police deployed to protect displaced persons, and allied Janjaweed militias continue to commit rape and sexual violence on daily basis. Even as refugees in Chad, women and girls fleeing the violence in Darfur continued to face the risk of rape and assault by civilians or militia members when collecting water, fuel or animal fodder near the border.
Sexual Violence Data Brief: 1999 to 2001 (pdf)
This data brief outlines the hospital care in Minnesota due to sexual violence, patient demographics, patient injuries, charges, costs and payers, and perpetrators.
Sexual Violence in Later Life Information Packet
This information packet includes a fact sheet, technical assistance bulletin, technical assistance guide, resource list, annotated bibliography, and a research brief all related to sexual violence in later life.
Sexual Violence in Later Life: Research Brief (pdf)
"This brief reviews research on risk and protective factors related to sexual violence in later life. It discusses the unique vulnerabilities and barriers to reporting that older victims face, the nature of sexual violence in later life in various contexts and settings, and common variables among perpetrators."
Sexual Violence in the Lives of African American Women (pdf)
"This paper synthesizes information on African American female victim/survivors. It addresses historical context, survivor traits, risk factors, health consequences, culturally sensitive responses, and resilience of survivors."
Shattered Lives: Immediate medical care for victims of sexual violence (pdf)
A recently released report depicting the experiences of victims of sexual violence, as well as those who provide immediate care to victims. The report focuses on the individual stories of those who have been sexually assaulted, and those who provide medical, counseling, and other types of support services to victims. Through these stories,the organization hopes to convey the importance of making emergency medical and other services immediately and readily accessible to victims.
Silent Epidemic: A Survey of Violence Among Young Asian American Women
This report examines the impact of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking on young Asian American women. The study also examines levels of awareness, prevalence, and access to services. It also addresses cultural and institutional barriers that Asian American victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking may face.
Strong Foundation for Healing: Shelter & Sexual Violence (pdf)
The majority of sexual assaults take place in or near victims’ homes or in the homes of friends, relatives, or neighbors. Thus, for many survivors of sexual violence, home is often not a safe place. This paper considers issues and advocacy related to emergency shelter and longer-term housing for sexual violence survivors.
Surviving Violence and Poverty (pdf)
This document examines the link between domestic and sexual violence, women's poverty and welfare. This report contains a statistical overview of the problem and recommendations for future policy change.
This report examines the links between eating disorders and violence against women and girls. It is based on information gathered from published literature as well as consultations with community workers, health practitioners, and mental health professionals. “Swallowing the Hurt” has been designed for use by frontline workers, health care and social service professionals, educators, and researchers who offer services directly for or who may interact with women and girls experiencing eating disorders or violence.
Teen Dating Violence: Information and Resources (pdf)
This is an information packet developed by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) as an introduction to the dynamics, prevalence and consequences of teen dating violence. The packet explores issues specific to teen dating violence, examines current provision of support services for teens and presents information about a variety of promising prevention /intervention strategies. The intent of packet contents is to examine some of the key dating violence issues currently facing teens and their advocates.
The Costs and Consequences of Sexual Violence and Cost-Effective Solutions (pdf)
This resource speaks to the costs and consequences of sexual violence. It includes a general overview of findings from research on the topic, the cost benefits of early intervention, costs for funding sexual assault services, and cost-effective solutions.
The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence (pdf)
This document examines the economic effects of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, as well as the economic effects of interventions seeking to reduce violence and the ways in which economic factors such as poverty and income inequality contribute to violence.
The Facts about Sexual Violence
This fact sheet provides current information and statistics on sexual violence. Information includes a working definition, explanation of different forms of sexual violence and legal protections for victims of sexual violence.
The Health Impacts on Adult Women of Childhood Sexual Violence Before the Age of Twelve Years
This is a 1998 report by seven authors of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The authors describe the health consequences in adulthood that often emerge as a consequence of childhood sexual violence. High rates of depression and dissociation resulted, as well as a low rate of school completion. The experiences of women when they sought help are described.
The Prostitution of Women and Girls in Metropolitan Chicago: A Preliminary Prevalence Report (pdf)
This report represents the first research to determine the number of girls and women involved in prostitution in the Chicago metropolitan area, and completes the first phase of a multi-phase project designed to ascertain how many girls and women in prostitution are being affected by problems of violence, abuse, substance abuse, and homelessness.
The Traumatic Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Conceptualization (pdf)
"In this paper a framework is proposed for a more systematic understanding of the effects of child sexual abuse. Four traumagenic dynamics – traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness – are identified as the core of the psychological injury inflicted by abuse. These dynamics can be used to make assessments of victimized children and to anticipate problems to which these children may be vulnerable subsequently. Implications for research are also considered."
Transnational Trafficking and the Rule of Law in West Africa (pdf)
"A recent report that highlights the problem of trafficking of West African women to Europe for forced prostitution. Women trafficked from West Africa are generally controlled by a debt bondage system. The UNODC found that trafficking has a significant negative impact on the rule of law in West Africa. The flow of trafficked people and goods rivals the GDP of some countries in West Africa. Corruption among government officials and law enforcement increases as organized crime groups gain more power and money through trafficking."
Treatment of Adult Sex Offenders
"This Applied Research paper provides an overview of the current state of treatment of adult male sex offenders, with a focus on the effectiveness of treatment."
Victim Responses to Sexual Assault: Counterintuitive or Simply Adaptive?
"This resource provides information on the different responses that individuals who are sexually assaulted display as well as the different coping strategies of victims."
Violence Against Women: Classic Papers
The purpose of this project was to assemble some of the classic works in the field of violence against women so that new generations of students, practitioners, and researchers would have a collective understanding of the work that has shaped the field. Included are commentaries from the original authors, when available, reflecting on why they authored the work when they did and the influence of their work on the field.
Violence Against Women: Identifying Risk Factors (pdf)
This NIJ Research in Brief combines the results taken from two studies, one of which followed college women and men for 4 years, and the other, which followed low-income, mostly black women who had been victims of childhood sexual abuse. Each study found that child sexual abuse alone was a risk factor only when combined with adolescent sexual abuse. Although each study examined a narrowly defined population, taken together, both studies came to remarkably similar conclusions.
Violence Against Women: Impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health (pdf)
This paper addresses the dimensions and origins of sexual violence and the outcomes related to reproductive health.
What College Men Should Know About Sexual Assault, Rape and Sexual Battery (pdf)
The San Diego Police Department created brochures for college men and women, in cooperation with Rana Sampson of Community Policing Associates. The brochures present various scenarios and then pose the question, "Is it rape?" Clear answers are provided for each scenario, based on California state laws. The brochure for men lists specific penalties they could face if they get one answer wrong. The materials can be useful in engaging students in dialogue, comparing their perceptions of what rape is against the legal system.
Zero Tolerance: Stop the Violence Against Women and Children, Stop HIV/AIDS (pdf)
Violence is linked to HIV. Women who have experienced violence may be up to three times more likely to acquire HIV. In addition to behavioral risk factors, there are direct consequences of unprotected forced or coerced sex, and this is compounded by global HIV/AIDS policies that fail to take seriously the realities facing women and girls. Fear of violence can prevent women from seeking VCT, disclosing their serostatus, and receiving treatment when it is needed.
¿Que es La Violencia Sexual? (pdf)
La violencia sexual afecta a las mujeres, los hombres y los niños durante toda su vida, y puede ser devastadora para los individuos, familias, y comunidades. Sin embargo, existen recursos para ayudarle. Esta hoja informativa de dos páginas provee definiciones y información sobre la violencia sexual.
This two page fact sheet provides definitions and facts about sexual violence. (link available in Spanish and English)