"This report provides an analysis of patterns of human rights abuses against women who are exposed to the risk of or are already living with HIV in rural contexts of widespread poverty and unemployment."
'I can't afford justice': Violence against women in Uganda continues unchecked and unpunished (pdf)
An Amnesty International Report that documents obstacles to justice in cases of rape and sexual violence against women in Uganda. The report found that the society’s strong adherence to traditional values impedes the enforcement of progressive laws. The report concludes with legal policy recommendations to better meet the needs of victims.
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.
2011 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Examiniation Candidate Handbook (pdf)
Thinking about taking the SANE-A or SANE-P Certification Exam? This is a link to the 2011 SANE Certification Examination Handbook with updates to the test content outlines. Use this handbook to obtain information about the eligibility criteria, application process/form and testing instructions for the SANE (Adult and Pediatric) Certification Examinations.
A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (pdf)
This protocol was developed with the input of national, local, and tribal experts throughout the country, including law enforcement representatives, prosecutors, advocates, medical personnel, forensic scientists and others, as a guide for criminal justice and health care practitioners who respond to victims of sexual assault. The protocol is intended to assist jurisdictions in developing a response that is sensitive to victims of sexual assault and promotes offender accountability.
A Novel, Intensive Home-Visiting Intervention for Runaway, Sexually Exploited Girls
"This study both describes a home-visiting intervention program for young, sexually assaulted runaways (10-14 years old) and provides preliminary outcomes from the first 20 female participants. Following the one-year intervention, teens' risk behaviors decreased, including truancy, runaway episodes, sexually transmitted infections and substance use."
Achieving Equity for Women: Policy Alternatives for the New Administration Symposium Report (pdf)
"This report summarizes the policy research symposium convened by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and the Wellesley Centers for Women, held in Washington, DC on April 2, 2009. The symposium highlighted four policy areas in which public policy can work to improve the status of women in the United States: women and economic recovery; retirement, social security and aging; quality early care and education; and women and health care reform."
Additional Scripts for Clinic Assessment (pdf)
This document is created for healthcare professionals and provides a series of scripted questions and responses when working with victims of violence. The information is intended to help communicate all the information needed to give to a patient as well as responding to immediate safety issues and making referrals.
Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)
This report, grounded in UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls, identifies particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence.
Addressing the Intersection: Preventing Violence and Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living (pdf)
"This document provides an explanation of the inter-relationship between violence and healthy eating and activity. The findings and recommendations offered in this paper can support practitioners and advocates in their work to prevent chronic disease in communities heavily impacted by violence. "
Addressing Violence against Women and Girls in Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
This article focuses on the integration of resources to address gender-based violence against women and girls into the existing health care services. The review of the literature aims to provide guidance to health sector program designers and managers in order to facilitate integration.
Advancing the Nation's Health: A Guide to Public Health Research Needs, 2006-2015 (pdf)
"This guide is meant to serve as a critical resource for research areas that should be addressed during the next decade by CDC and its partners in response to current and future public health needs and events."
AIDS Accountability Scorecard on Women 2009 (pdf)
"The first ever global scorecard analyzing country responses to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women in the context of the AIDS epidemic. This independent assessment, developed through a comprehensive consultative process with global health experts and civil society representatives from across the world, evaluates data that all governments provide as part of the 2001 United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS."
American Medical Association Violence Prevention Information
Link to section of AMA website that includes information on Preparing your Practice to Address Family Violence, AMA violence-related reports and policies, Youth Violence Prevention Training and Outreach Guide, and other violence and abuse resources.
An Impact Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program (pdf)
This impact evaluation assesses the Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services in the areas of healthcare, victim services, law enforcement, and prosecution. The evaluation compares the experiences of women who sought services at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in the two years prior to the inception of the SANE program with those of women who sought services at the Albuquerque SANE Collaborative from its inception in October 1996 through to the end of 1999. The report concludes that the "data strongly suggest that a SANE unit greatly enhances the healthcare quality of women who have been sexuaIly assaulted, improves the quality of forensic evidence, improves law enforcement's ability to collect information and to file charges, and increases the likelihood of successful prosecution"
Offers information to health care providers and counselors on the importance of screening for reproductive coercion. Also offers a framework for assessing and responding to sensitive reproductive information.
This document aims to serve as a policy tool for health departments, community based organizations, community partners, and policy makers interested in the health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Building Academic Capacity and Expertise in the HEALTH EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE (pdf)
This report was created from the Proceedings from a Pre-Conference Symposium at the Family Violence Prevention Fund which offers a blueprint on advancing professional health education from a perspective on the health effects on violence and abuse.
Case Closed: Rape and Human Rights in the Nordic Countries Summary Report (pdf)
"A report analyzing the legal framework for handling rape cases in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The report recommends legislative changes for each country’s rape laws to increase the number of successful rape prosecutions, and to bring the laws into compliance with international law and international human rights standards."
Child Protection Information Sheets (pdf)
"This booklet comprises 14 information sheets which highlight how child protection is crucial to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Covering different forms of abuse, these sheets also outline how to build a protective environment for children and what UNICEF is doing on the ground to protect children."
Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Psychopathology: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey
"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."
This guide is intended for use by qualified health care providers in developing protocols for the management of rape survivors.
Coerced First Intercourse and Reproductive Health Among Adolescent Women in Rakai, Uganda
This paper addresses linkages between coerced first sex and selected reproductive health behaviors and outcomes in a sample of 575 sexually experienced adolescent women in rural Uganda.
Culture Handbook (pdf)
"This handbook is designed to be used by advocates and professionals who work with those who are victims of domestic and sexual violence. It provides some basic information on how to understand culture and begin the process of challenging oneself to become more aware of the ways in which culture impacts our work and the lives of those who are victims."
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.
Debunking the Myths in the US Global AIDS Strategy: An Evidence Based Analysis (pdf)
This evidence based research document criticizes assumptions that American global strategies on AIDS stand on and describes how such assumptions harm women and girls.
Detecting, Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse in Residential Care Facilities (pdf)
"This study focused on detection, investigation, and resolution of elder abuse and neglect complaints in what are known as residential care facilities."
Diamonds: Stories of Women in The Asia-Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (pdf)
"Diamonds is a compilation of the personal narratives of ten women and one girl who are HIV-positive in the Asia Pacific region. The publication is accompanied by a documentary that focuses on four of these stories."
DID YOU KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH? (pdf)
A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH? (Spanish) (pdf)
A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.
Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls
"Highlights issues of abuse; femicide; forced prostitution; sexual abuse of children; sex-selective abortion, female infanticide and differential access to food and medical care; and, traditional and cultural practices that affect women's health and lives."
Domestic Violence Against Women in Albania (pdf)
"This qualitative report examines the prevalence of domestic violence in Albania, including forms of domestic violence and complicating factors."
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence in Minnesota: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention (pdf)
This planning tool addresses the issue of domestic and sexual violence as they relate to health care and public health in Minnesota.
Dying of Sadness: Gender, Sexual Violence and the HIV Epidemic
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.
Eliminating the Rape Kit Backlog
"This special online collection provides information to help victim service professionals engage in a multi-disciplinary dialogue about the issues and challenges involved with addressing the backlog of untested rape kits."
"Discusses gender-based violence as a major public health concern and a violation of human rights."
"Highlights the 2 most prevalent types of abuse in the lives of women and girls around the world: intimate partner violence and rape. Demonstrates how world-wide gender-based violence is a major public health concern, suggesting strategies to respond."
Engaging Boys and Men in Gender Transformation: The Group Education Manual (pdf)
"This manual offers trainers an array of participatory experiential exercises to reach men (and their partners), exploring gender socialization and its impact on HIV prevention and care. Piloted in Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, the manual is designed to assist trainers in developing curricula to work with men and boys on gender, HIV and AIDS issues."
EVALUATING CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTERS’ RESPONSE TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE (pdf)
"With funding from OJJDP, researchers have now completed a four-site evaluation of CACs that, for the first time, contrasts them with comparison communities that did not have a CAC. This Bulletin presents an overview of the results. It examines how CACs affect forensic interviewing, child victim disclosures about abuse, children’s receipt of medical exams and mental health services, prosecution and conviction of offenders, removal of children from their homes, and family satisfaction with child abuse investigations."
This paper examines the relationship between HIV and sexual coercion in Tanzania.
Factors Associated With Women’s Risk of Rape in the Military Environment (pdf)
"This study assessed military environmental factors associated with rape occurring during military service, while controlling for pre-military trauma experiences. The goal of this exploratory study was to describe characteristics of rape victims and perpetrators and to attempt to identify workplace environmental factors associated with rape occurring during military service."
Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers (pdf)
This handbook is developed through worldwide collaboration and provides evidence-based guidance to all levels of health care workers. It offers clinic-based health care professionals in developing countries the latest guidance on providing with the full range of contraceptive methods.
Family Violence Handbook for the Dental Community (pdf)
This is a guide for all members of the dental team. It deals with how to address family violence issues in dental practice, the educational setting, the professional association, and the community at large.
Family Violence Nursing Curriculum
While nurses must be able to respond skillfully to victims of all types of violence, responding to victims of family violence requires sensitivity rooted in understanding how it differs from other types of violence. The content of this curriculum, which grew out of the 1999 American Association of Colleges of Nursing competencies, was developed in response to those findings to provide Minnesota nursing faculty essential curricular information to develop student competence in preventing, assessing, and responding to family violence across the lifespan.
Family Violence: An Intervention Model for Dental Professionals (pdf)
Efforts to strengthen responses by health care professionals to family violence have increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, more health care providers are able to recognize the signs of abuse and assist patients who are victims. However, dental professionals appear to be the least likely of all clinicians to suspect and intervene in family violence, even though injuries to the head and neck are present in 60 percent or more of abuse cases. Although they may see abuse-related injuries during patient visits, dental professionals typically have not been trained to recognize the causes of these injuries or how to offer intervention and referrals to patients. This bulletin describes a training model that teaches dental professionals how to recognize symptoms and patterns of abuse, create a safe environment for disclosure, intervene appropriately, refer patients to appropriate services, and file mandatory reports. The bulletin also underscores the importance of including dental professionals in community efforts to coordinate response to family violence.
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers answers to frequently asked questions on female genital cutting, the origin of its practices, current laws, and links to finding more information on the topic.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical exploration
"This publication analyzes available statistics on female genital mutilation/cutting, with the aim of improving understanding of related issues in the wider context of gender equality and social change."
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Data and Trends (pdf)
The Population Reference Bureau estimates that between 100 and 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and more than 3 million girls are at risk for cutting each year on the African continent alone. Global and national efforts to end FGM and cutting have supported legislation targeting excisors, medical professionals, and families who perpetuate the practice, but political will and implementation remain an issue.
This student manual is part of a set of training materials which has been prepared by the World Health Organization to facilitate training of health professionals on female genital mutilations.
This teacher's guide is part of a set of training materials prepared by the World Health Organization to facilitate training of health professionals on female genital mutilation.
Forensic Evidence Collection and Care of the Sexual Assault Survivor: The SANE-SART Response
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document outlines the components of a coordinated Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model and illustrates the techniques and implementation strategies that should be utilized when gathering forensic evidence post sexual assualt.
Global Consultation on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (pdf)
A report on the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) and analyzes shifting global patterns of FGM and methods used to eliminate its occurrence. The report also illustrates the effects of FGM on maternal and infant health and notes law enforcement and non-profit agency efforts to combat FGM.
Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence: Findings from the World Report on Violence and Health (pdf)
This document is a summary of findings specific to sexual violence included in the World Report on Violence and Health (released in 2002 by the World Health Organization). The document seeks to offer a glimpse of the "serious global public health problem" that is sexual violence as well as promising practices and opportunities for those working to end sexual violence.
Guidelines for Medico-Legal Care for Victim of Sexual Violence (pdf)
These guidelines are designed for healthcare workers to provide comprehensive care for medical, psychological and forensic needs of survivors of sexual assault. The guidelines are currently being pilot tested in various countries.
This handbook is designed to help health professionals address the health care needs of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It provides background information about childhood sexual abuse and its effects on survivors. It also introduces the principles of sensitive practice and provides practical suggestions that health professionals can incorporate into their clinical practice.
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.
How To Integrate Assessment for Violence and Reproductive Coercion Into Clinical Practice (pdf)
A resource for healthcare providers which outlines points to train staff working with victims of violence and reproductive coercion.
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.
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."
Integrating gender into HIV/AIDS programmes in the health sector (pdf)
"This tool helps programme managers and health-care providers in the public and private sectors integrate gender into HIV/AIDS programmes they wish to set up, implement and evaluate so they are more responsive to women's needs."
Intimate or Childhood Sexual Abuse and Obesity in Kentucky
This study concluded that sexual abuse, whether experienced as an adult or child, was associated with a 32% increase in obesity among 4,391 women in Kentucky. The study also found that intimate partner violence and obesity are common health threats for women. The authors suggest that efforts to prevent physical and sexual abuse and mental health consequences of abuse on victims can have implications to improve women's health.
"This compilation includes existing tools for assessing intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) victimization in clinical/healthcare settings. The purpose of this compilation is to provide practitioners and clinicians with the most current inventory of assessment tools for determining IPV and/or SV victimization and to inform decisions about which instruments are most appropriate for use with a given population. This document will aid in the selection of assessment instruments to identify victims requiring additional services. This can help practitioners make appropriate referrals for both victims and perpetrators. "
It Takes 2: Partnering with Men in Reproductive and Sexual Health (pdf)
"This publication offers guidance on effective and gender-sensitive ways to engage men in the reproductive and sexual health of themselves and their partners. It includes examples of successful strategies and programming as well as lessons learned."
"This guide provides information on developing gender literate sexuality education designed for policymakers, curriculum developers, and educators in order to develop sexuality/HIV education materials that also teach critical thinking about gender norms and roles. "
Link to Guidelines
Link to Activities
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. "
Kenyan Laws and Harmful Customs Curtail Women’s Equal Enjoyment of ICESCR Rights (pdf)
"The Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (FIDA Kenya) and the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic (IWHRC) at Georgetown University released this report as a supplement to Kenya’s latest periodic report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The report finds that Kenyan laws and practices prevent women from attaining economic, social and cultural Rights."
Legal Tools for Survivors of Sexual Assault
This article addresses legal issues that might be helpful to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. The goal is to provide useful information on available options to aid in the process of recovery from trauma.
Make it Matter: 10 Key Advocacy Messages to Prevent HIV in Girls and Young Women (pdf)
"The aim of this guide is to equip its users with key messages, evidence and actions that can be used to advocate effectively to prevent HIV in girls and young women. It focuses on three goals as a response to the epidemic: improving the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services for girls and young women; expanding socio-economic opportunities; and ending child marriage."
Making Sense of DNA Backlogs — Myths vs. Reality (pdf)
A special report that addresses the question of why backlogs of DNA evidence awaiting testing persist even after the federal government has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate them. The report provides an understanding of what a backlog is and how backlogs can be reduced.
Making Sense of Rape In America: Where Do the Numbers Come From and What Do They Mean? (pdf)
This paper assists public policy officials, health care professionals, and other pertinent professionals in understanding how rape in America is measured, what the numbers mean, and the limitations of existing research.
"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."
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."
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.
National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Report (pdf)
"This report discusses the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission's nine findings on sexual abuse in correctional facilities as well as policies and practices that must be mandatory in remedying these problems; recommendations address what leaders in government outside the corrections profession can do to support solutions."
Not Part of My Sentence: Violations of Human Rights of Women in Custody
This document, produced as part of the USA campaign, gives details of the human rights abuses suffered by women in custody for breaking criminal laws. These abuses include the use of restaints, poor health provison, sexual abuse by prison staff and the isolation of women held in high security units.
On the Road to Equality: Statewide Findings & Policy Recommendations (pdf)
"A supplement to the Status of Girls in Minnesota report by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota in partnership with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Focus groups were conducted in 18 Minnesota communities that included African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), and disabilities communities — to share key research findings and gain community input. This report captures the voices and policy recommendations of these communities, nonprofit and public leaders."
Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students - United States, 2003
A surveillance report in brief of physical dating violence among high school students and selected characteristics.
Platform for Action: Towards the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) (pdf)
This Platform for Action summarizes the key elements on the programmatic approach to support the abandonment of the FGM/C practice and make a major difference for girls and women worldwide.
Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women
"This publication discusses gender-based violence from a feminist-based, ecological perspective. It examines the dynamics of abuse, cultural context, impact on women's health & how health care providers can contribute to social change efforts."
Preliminary Adaptations for Working with Traumatized Latino/Hispanic Children and Their Families (pdf)
The Culture and Trauma Briefs series serves to
support the NCTSN commitment to raising
the standard of care for traumatized children,
their families, and their communities by
highlighting the diversity of needs and
experiences of those children, families, and
communities.
This report was developed through information gathered via a preliminary focus group of bilingual/bicultural therapists at a children's hospital in California to address the needs of diverse Latino populations seeking care.
Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among an Abortion Clinic Population
"A cross-sectional clinic based study that estimated the prevalence of intimate partner violence among patients who had elective abortions. The study concluded that abortion patients experience high intimate partner violence rates, indicating the need for targeted screening and community-based referral."
Preventing and Responding to Domestic & Sexual Violence in Later Life
"This special collection brings together selected materials related to preventing and responding to elder abuse, specifically domestic and sexual violence. It highlights the complexities of older people's DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life."
Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence
This special collection emphasizes collaborative and multilevel approaches to the prevention of, and response to, teen dating violence. It draws on the work of many organizations and organizes the resources on TDV prevention and responses by different populations.
"This toolkit provides facts about emergency contraception for rape survivors, tools and strategies to assess the need for increased access, and four strategies to increase access. The four strategies discussed are legislation, administrative efforts, litigation and voluntary efforts. Samples, survivor stories and additional resources are also included."
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.
Programming to Address Violence against Women (pdf)
"This is the second volume in a series that focuses on prevention and response tools for violence against women. The publication features eight case studies that highlight initiatives that have proven successful in combating violence against women: Algeria, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The UNFPA hopes to support current efforts in the eight case study countries and encourage other countries to take steps toward ending violence against women."
"This document presents key findings of the consultation held in May 2008 to identify and promote approaches in national development planning, implementation and budgeting that bring real results in empowering women and reducing HIV and AIDS among women and girls. It highlights the need for a framework that links structural, social and individual determinants of gender inequality as well as presents opportunities to strengthen the focus on intersections between HIV, violence against women, and sexual and reproductive health access and rights. This publication includes a multimedia resource CD, available below for download."
Public Health Policy for Preventing Violence (pdf)
"In this paper we discuss the new vision for violence prevention embodied in the public health approach."
Rapid Assessment Tool for Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV Linkages (pdf)
This adaptable tool can be used to assess linkages betweeen HIV and sexual and reproductive health at the policy, systems and service-delivery levels. It is intended also to identify gaps and ultimately to contribute to the development of country-specific action plans to forge and strengthen these linkages.
Recommendations to State Medical Boards for Improving the Management of Physician
A Report created in May 1995 by the Consultation Group on Physician Sexual Misconduct for the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
"This study of a group of women engaged in sex work at a popular truck stop in South Africa was undertaken to explore the social context that places them at high risk for HIV infection, and to assess how this context influences their ability to reduce their risk."
Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women Affected by Rape or Sexual Violence: a Literature Review (pdf)
"The review summarizes the learning from the Refugee Council Vulnerable Women’s Project and situates that learning within the wider context of what is known about rape and sexual violence. It provides a summary of evidence that is available about the prevalence of sexual violence against refugee women, and about access to justice in some of the countries from which the Project’s clients have fled."
Reproductive Health for Communities in Crisis (pdf)
This document illustrates that communities that face natural disaster, war and internal conflicts are likely to experience violence against women and reproductive health challenges. The document explores how to address sexual violence, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and how to maintain safety in prolonged crisis.
This document is also available in French and Spanish
Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations: An Inter-Agency Field Manual
The purpose of the Field Manual is to serve as a tool to facilitate discussion and decision-making in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health (RH) interventions. Chapters in the manual include: sexual and gender based violence, reproductive health concerns, and legal information.
"This study provides a national picture of reproductive health and sexual violence for American Indian and Alaska Native women living in urban areas. Findings show American Indian and Alaska Native women living in urban areas were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to report non-voluntary first sexual intercourse, unintended and teen pregnancies, unprotected first sex and first sex with older partners."
Researching Violence Against Women: A Practical Guide for Researchers and Activists
An in depth look at the issue of violence against women as a health issue and suggests tools for using research and developing data assessing this issue.
San Diego County Sexual Assault Response Team Standards of Practice (pdf)
"This manual provides extensive standards of practice for members of interdisciplinary sexual assault response teams. "
Screening for Sexual Violence: Gaps in Research and Recommendations for Change (pdf)
"This Applied Research paper provides a review of the current literature on screening women for sexual violence in health care facilities, and discusses the reasoning and rationale behind screening women for sexual violence."
Self Assessment Form for Forensic Compliance (word)
A self-assessment tool for communities to evaluate their current practices with respect to medical forensic examinations.
Sex trading and psychological distress among women recruited from the streets of Harlem
"This study examines the relationship between sex trading and psychological distress and the implications of that relationship for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus among a sample of young women recruited from the streets of Harlem."
Sex work, violence and HIV - A guide for programmes with sex workers (pdf)
"This guide discusses the challenges involved in ensuring that violence is addressed in HIV programmes, gives a detailed understanding of violence in relation to sex work and challenges some common assumptions. The guide also provides examples from real programmes that illustrate ways in which HIV and AIDS projects can help reduce the incidence of violence against sex workers and provide support to those who experience violence. "
Sexual Abuse in Detention is a Public Health Issue (pdf)
"This 2 page fact sheet talks about prisoner rape victims being highly vulnerable to contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases."
Sexual Abuse in Later Life (pdf)
"This article addresses sexual assault in later life and specifically focuses on victimization of elders that occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, incest, and care facilities."
"This publication addresses the specific sexual and reproductive health needs of women living with HIV/AIDS and contains recommendations for counseling, anti-retroviral therapy, care and other interventions."
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 Intercourse Among Adolescents Maltreated Before Age 12: A Prospective Investigation (pdf)
"This study found that maltreatment (regardless of type) predicts sexual intercourse by 14 and 16. Emotional distress explains the relationship by 14. By 16, other factors likely contribute to intercourse. Maltreated children are at risk for early initiation of sexual intercourse and sexually active adolescents should be evaluated for possible maltreatment."
Sexual Violence Against Women: Impact on High-Risk Health Behaviors and Reproductive Health
"This Applied Research paper provides a brief overview of research on the impact of sexual violence on females' high-risk health behaviors and reproductive health, focusing on studies of sexual assault or rape experienced primarily during adulthood."
Sexual Violence and HIV: A Technical Assistance Guide for Victim Service Providers
"This guide provides information on the prevalence of sexual violence and HIV, types of available HIV testing and treatment, benefits and risks of such testing and treatment."
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 the Lives of African American Women: Risk, Response, and Resilience
"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."
Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet (pdf)
"Highlights findings from various studies on sexual assault and rape. The data reviewed indicates that a vast majority of all rapes were committed by known assailants, with many sexual assaults perpetrated by friends, acquaintances and intimate partners."
Shattered Hearts: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of American Indian Women and Girls in Minnesota (pdf)
A groundbreaking report released by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) highlights the alarming and pervasive sex trafficking of American Indian women and girls in Minnesota. The first comprehensive report of its kind, it highlights risk factors for victims that include poverty, a disproportionate number of American Indian homeless, high incidences of overall sexual assault, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and pervasive multi-generational trauma.
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.
Social Development of Commercial Sex Workers in India: An Essential Step in HIV/AIDS Prevention
"This paper discusses HIV/AIDS prevention issues that relate to CSWs in India; issues that play a vital role in initiation, perpetuation, and expansion of economic activity of CSWs; and those factors that influence the HIV/AIDS preventive practices of CSWs."
State of World Population 2008 Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender, and Human Rights (pdf)
"This report gives an overview of the conceptual human rights frameworks as well as the practice of development, looking at the everyday events that make up people’s experience of development. The report presents some of the challenges and dilemmas of culturally sensitive strategies and suggests how partnerships can address them. The focus is on discussing and showcasing how culturally sensitive approaches are critical for the realization of human rights in general and women’s rights in particular."
State of World Population 2009 Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate (pdf)
"The report shows that improving the health and education of women and girls sparks economic development, reduces poverty and slows population growth – three key ways to minimize the effects of climate change."
"This 2008 report provides detailed information on the status of girls in Minnesota. It also serves as a tool for advocates, researchers, and policy makers in developing a set of interventions that will ensure girls’ economic, social, and political equality in the state. "
Sustainability 101: Creating A Business Plan For Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (pdf)
This guide reviews the basic steps of developing a business plan and explains the components needed for SANE services to be successful. It is identified as a critical tool for starting and sustaining existing healthcare services.
Sustainability 101: Fostering Collaboration Between SANE Program Coordinators and Medical Directors (pdf)
In addition to collaboration between Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs), community partners and other agencies, this document talks about the importance of collaboration between SANEs and physician colleagues to assist with the credibility and sustainability of a SANE Program.
Sustainability 101: Long Range Thinking for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Managers (pdf)
"The first in a series of bulletins related to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program sustainability, this publication provides information gathered from the NSVRC SANE Sustainability Technical Assistance Project. It discusses six key areas related to sustainability: investing in people, understanding budgeting, reframing education, mentoring future leaders, creating strategic alliances and program evaluation."
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.
Testing Justice The Rape Kit Backlog in Los Angeles City and County (pdf)
"A March 2009 report from Human Rights Watch revealed that 12,669 rape kits containing DNA and other evidence of rapes remain untested in the city and county of Los Angeles, California. The report highlights the nature and scope of the backlog, consequences of untested kits, and responses from professionals."
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence among female patients and to identify clinical characteristics that are associated with current domestic violence.
This new study commissioned by NCEA highlights data sources on elder abuse in the health care, long term care, criminal justice, fiduciary, and legal services arenas, beyond adult protective services data. Such data are required as a basis for informed and enlightened social policy on the prevention and treatment of elder abuse.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs
This VAWnet document provides a brief summary of the structure and functions of SANE programs as they currently exist in the United States and presents the current research on the effectiveness of SANE programs in three areas: 1) providing care in an empowering setting that addresses survivors’ emotional and medical needs 2) improving the quality of forensic evidence collection relative to the methods traditionally used in hospital emergency departments 3) increasing prosecution rates in their community, due to the meticulous documenting of injuries and physical evidence.
The Facts on Reproductive Health and Violence Against Women (pdf)
This fact sheet provides information and statistics on teen and adult unintended pregnancies, contraception use, sexually transmitted infections, and violence during pregnancy.
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 Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls (pdf)
This report of a consultative meeting is intended to contribute to the United Nations study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls, requested by the United Nations Security Council. This report reflects the purpose of the meeting which was twofold: first, to examine and explore the impact of armed conflict on women and girls; and, second, to formulate strategies and tools to ensure that reproductive health programmes accurately reflect this population’s needs, specifically by addressing them through a comprehensive, gendersensitive approach.
The Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls in West and Central Africa and the UNICEF response (pdf)
"This first-of-its-kind study by UNICEF on the situation of war-affected girls and women in the region highlights innovative programmes being implemented with partners to address the impact of conflict, and recommends how UNICEF can more proactively champion the rights of girls - particularly adolescent girls."
The Multiple Faces of the Intersections between HIV and Violence Against Women (pdf)
"The report compiles various articles that describe the intersection of and links between violence against women and the increasing number of HIV/AIDS transmissions among women. The publishers hope to prompt discussion and efforts focused on creating integrated policies and programs that address violence against women and HIV."
The Promise of Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence: Five Year Plan (pdf)
"This report is a framework for action and it reflects the thoughts and experiences of people who work to prevent sexual violence, who serve victims/survivors and/or work with perpetrators. It is a shared vision of how Minnesota can prevent sexual violence from happening. The report defines issues, sets goals, and establishes the infrastructure needed to achieve these goals."
The Right to Survive: Sexual Violence, Women and HIV/AIDS
This report describes the unparalleled situation experienced by women who were raped and infected with HIV/AIDS during the Rwandan genocide.
The Role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases (pdf)
"This document examines the basic components of the domestic violence medico-legal examination; the potential for using findings from the medico-legal examination in prosecutions; and the role of the prosecutor and other Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members in expanding forensic nursing programs to include care of the domestic violence victim."
The Sex Trade Industry's Worldwide Exploitation of Children
"This study examines the current state of international trafficking of children and other child sexual exploitation."
The State of the World's Children 2009 Report
"The State of the World's Children 2009 examines critical issues in maternal and newborn health, underscoring the need to establish a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers, newborns and children. The report outlines the latest paradigms in health programming and policies for mothers and newborns, and explores policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health. Africa and Asia are a key focus for this report, which complements the previous year's issue on child survival."
The Uses And Impacts Of Medico-Legal Evidence In Sexual Assault Cases: A Global Review
"The review outlines the historical and contemporary medico-legal responses to sexual assault victims, broadly describing the professionals, protocols and procedures involved in the collection and processing of medico-legal evidence."
Third Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Report 2007 (pdf)
"By 2007, three of the six WHO regional committees had adopted violence prevention resolutions, more than 25 countries had developed reports and/or plans of action on violence and health, and more than 100 officially appointed health ministry focal persons were in place to prevent violence, the report finds.The report offers a five year agenda to follow-up on key recommendations."
This is a good introduction to advocacy concepts used when working with victims of intimate violence, rape and child abuse. It is designed for use both as a workshop outline and as a guide for direct interactions with individual clients.
Together We Must! End Violence against Women and Girls and HIV & AIDS (pdf)
"This document represents an initial effort to draw attention to the knowledge, institutional capacity and resources needed to comprehensively address the intersection between HIV & AIDS and VAWG. The aim is to stimulate debate and collaboration among practitioners and advocates around how to identify and promote effective prevention policies and practices that can be adapted to various contexts."
Tools for Change: An Introduction to the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault (pdf)
"This document will introduce readers to primary prevention and to the concepts, terms and models that comprise this approach. It will explore the movement’s history for lessons learned and talk about how the work of preventing sexual violence connects directly and indirectly to the work that each of us in the movement does. Finally, it will help you talk the talk. We will explore the public health model and associated terminology so that you can use it if you need it (e.g., when talking with funders), but it will not be a main focus."
Tools for Service Providers Working with Victims of Gender-Based Violence (pdf)
This document provides tools to improve the quality of health care services for assisting survivors of sexual violence.
Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation (pdf)
"This fact sheet provides a brief overview of sex trafficking of women and children in the Americas and explores the life-threatening health consequences of this type of human trafficking."
This article describes how a self-assessment of maternal and child health programs in a state health department led to a statewide training initiative on domestic violence, sexual assault, and reproductive coercion for family planning providers. Key training concepts, lessons learned, and future directions are discussed.
Transforming the National AIDS Response: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation (pdf)
"The second in a series of resource guides dedicated to highlighting strategies for incorporating gender equality and women’s rights into national HIV and AIDS responses. This publication discusses various approaches for advancing women’s leadership and meaningful participation of HIV-positive women in the AIDS response."
Turning the Tide: CEDAW and the Gender Dimensions of HIV/AIDS Pandemic
This publication discusses different aspects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for which CEDAW has special relevance. For example, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, access to health services, gender inequality and safer sex, and issues of care and care-giving.
UN study on Violence Against Children
"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "
Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers
"Forensic DNA technology is revolutionizing the way law enforcement officers investigate violent crimes, including crime scene investigation, counseling rape victims to not wash away critical evidence, accurate conviction of offenders, and connecting offenders to other brutal crimes. This 12-page document examines the uses of DNA, evidence collection and preservation, testing methods and interpretation of test results and post conviction for DNA testing. A glossary of terms and a reference / resource list are also included. "
United Nations Report on Violence Against Children
The report describes the scope and nature of violence against children and its impact, approaching its subject from the perspectives of human rights, child protection, and public health. The report is available in 8 languages.
Violence & HIV/AIDS: Violence Against Women and Girls as a Cause and Consequence of HIV/AIDS (pdf)
This report examines the relationship between gender violence and women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. According to the report, women are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. They are 1.6 times more likely to contract the virus than men. The report states that violence against women is both a cause and consequence of women living with AIDS.
Violence against Women – Facts and Figures (pdf)
"This article provides facts and figures on violence against women to illustrate the devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families, and on society as a whole."
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.
Violence in Families: Assessing Prevention and Treatment Programs
This is a full-text online book made available courtesy of The National Academies Press. This important book, published in 1998, details out chapter by chapter the different types of interventions to be utilized by different types of professionals, as well as makes recommendations.
Violence in the Lives of Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
"This Special Collection offers information regarding the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. The collection seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of deaf culture, provide resources to assist professionals working directly with deaf individuals, and highlight best practices."
Violence Prevention Alliance: Building Global Commitment for Violence Prevention (pdf)
Published by the World Health Organization, this policy paper sets out the conceptual framework, structure and goals that guide the Violence Prevention Alliance, of which CDC is a member. The paper is divided into two sections: Introducing the Violence Prevention Alliance, and Preventing violence before it occurs. The first section presents the basics of the Alliance, including the reasons behind its creation, the contribution of the health sector, and its scope, goals and working methods. The second section describes the global magnitude of interpersonal violence, discusses its known causes, risk factors and consequences, and presents theoretical tools to organize our understanding of interpersonal violence.
Violence, Pregnancy and Abortion: Issues of Women's Rights and Public Health (pdf)
The second edition of this monograph reviews worldwide data on the the relationship between violence, pregnancy and abortion and suggests measures different sectors of society can take to reduce the suffering of women and girls, and to ensure their basic human right to be free from violence.
This document provides detailed guidelines and tools to guide the integrated response to sexual assault by health care providers, law enforcement professionals, victim advocates, and others. The document is not intended to be state-specific therefore it provides an excellent model for other states to replicate.
Visibility Through Data: Health Information for Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Communities (pdf)
"This report summarizes information for providers working toward improving the health and well-being of urban American Indian and Alaska Native communities and is a resource that highlights specific health issues facing this population. "
A supplement to existing ethical and safety guidelines for research and documentation involving human subjects. Recommendations addressing issues that arise in the context of research on sexual violence during emergencies are also provided.
WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence – Country Findings: Brazil
"This fact sheet provides information on the methods and main findings of the study, with regard to the phenomenon of intimate partner violence against women in Brazil. Data on sexual abuse and non-partner physical and sexual violence is also included."
Women and Health: Today’s Evidence, Tomorrow’s Agenda (pdf)
"This report reviews evidence on the health issues that particularly affect girls and women throughout their life course. This report uses currently available data to draw attention to the consequences and costs of failing to address health issues at appropriate points in their lives."
Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis
"This report documents the latest information on the current HIV/AIDS pandemic, the devastating and often invisible impact of AIDS on women and girls and highlights the ways discrimination, poverty and gender-based violence help fuel the epidemic. Most importantly, the report targets the strategies to reverse the trends."
Women in Mongolia: Mapping Progress under Transition
This publication tells of Mongolian women's experiences in the context of the political and economic transformation of their country. It shares reports of women encouraged to bear many children, inadequate health care or resources, and high rates of maternal mortality. Recommendations informed through case studies are presented for improving their social and economic status and increasing their political participation.
Women of Color Health Data Book (pdf)
This report describes health status of women of color, which encompasses four major groups of women—Native, Hispanic, black, and Asian Americans—with subgroups within each of the major groups. The health of adolescent and elderly women of color receives separate attention as well. The section includes violence and sexual abuse.
Yaari Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity (pdf)
"This training manual is a tool for those aiming to promote gender equity and address masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. The Manual is based on operations research that was undertaken in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh to develop educational activities targeted to young men."
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.