"This report includes a discussion of primary prevention of intimate partner violence, promising approaches to environmental/norms change, an examination of IPV primary prevention within immigrant communities, recommended actions to building momentum for primary prevention of IPV, and immediate next steps. The report is designed as a catalyst and call to action, to give a sense of direction and raise some issues for consideration."
"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."
This study prospectively evaluated perpetrator risk factors for sexual assault perpetration,including peer influences, beliefs and attitudes about sexuality, alcohol use, and token resistance.
A Research Agenda for Sexual Revictimization: Priority Areas and Innovative Statistical Methods
"This article develops an agenda for further research on sexual violence revictimization by identifying three priority areas for investigation, including prospective research, revictimization resilience, and contextualizing revictimization. Next, the article overviews cutting-edge statistical methods that offer innovative ways to investigate these priority areas including growth, multilevel, and person-centered models. Recommendations for revictimization measurement and sampling are also given."
Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation In Licensed Facilities
Offers information and resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in licensed facilities.
Acquaintance Rape of College Students (pdf)
"Rape is one of the most common violent crimes on American college campuses today. This guide describes the problem of acquaintance rape of college students, addressing its scope, causes, and contributing factors; methods for analyzing it on a particular campus; tested responses; and measures for assessing response effectiveness. With this information, police and campus public safety officers can more effectively prevent the problem."
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."
Alcohol and Sexual Violence Perpetration
This Applied Research paper examines the frequent co-occurrence of alcohol and sexual violence perpetration. Identifying the different ways alcohol relates to perpetration can aid in the development of effective sexual violence prevention strategies. The authors off suggestions for practitioners based on available scientific knowledge.
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."
Child Sexual Abuse: Child Survivors, Mothers, and Perpetrators Tell Their Stories (pdf)
This book is full of hard-to-find information about child sexual abuse and is based on interviews with children, mothers, and perpetrators. Through these interviews, questions many people have surrounding this issue are answered. This book reveals how our culture gangs up on child victims to the benefit of perpetrators.
"This report presents findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization (N-JOV) Study describing arrests and characteristics of offenses and offenders for Internet-related sex crimes committed against minors."
Criminal Victimization, 2008 (pdf)
"The report includes data on violent crimes (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault), property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft and property theft), and personal theft (pocket picking and purse snatching), and the characteristics of victims of these crimes. The report also includes estimates of intimate partner violent crime and use of firearms and other weapons in the commission of violent crime overall."
Cumulative Experiences of Violence Among High-Risk Urban Youth
"This study examines type-specific and cumulative experiences of violence among a vulnerable population of youth. Sixty high-risk, shelter-dwelling, urban youth were interviewed regarding their history of childhood maltreatment, exposure to community violence (ECV), and experience with intimate partner violence (IPV). Results show a high prevalence and high degree of overlap among multiple types of violence exposure. Childhood physical, sexual (CSA), and emotional (CEA) abuse were interrelated and were associated with ECV. Findings suggest that cumulative exposures to violence create cumulative risk for experiencing more violence."
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.
"This article examined the prevalence of physical and sexual violence among 1,974 married women from 40 low-income communities in Chennai, India. The authors found a 99% and 75% lifetime prevalence of physical abuse and forced sex, respectively, whereas 65% of women experienced more than five episodes of physical abuse in the 3 months preceding the survey. These domestic violence rates exceed those in prior Indian reports, suggesting women in slums may be at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections."
Don't Turn Your Back On Girls: Sexual Violence Against Girls In Haiti (pdf)
A comprehensive report on sexual violence against girls in Haiti released by Amnesty International in late November of 2008. Over half of the 105 rapes reported in Haiti by the end of November were committed against girls under the age of 18, according to one of the few organizations in the country which collect rape statistics. The report includes findings on rape as a political weapon, the role of discrimination and poverty, and the state’s response.
Drug-Facilitated Rape: Looking for the Missing Pieces (pdf)
"Describes rape-facilitating drugs and what is known about how often these drugs are used, efforts to reduce drug-facilitated rape, and specific strategies needed to respond including investigation policies and suggestions of future research."
Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature (pdf)
This literature review of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct responds to the mandate in Section 5414 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, to conduct a study of sexual abuse in U.S. schools. To satisfy this mandate, the Department of Education contracted with Dr. Charol Shakeshaft of Hofstra University. Using the limited research that is available in this area, her literature review describes, among other topics: prevalence of educator sexual misconduct, offender characteristics, targets of educator sexual misconduct, and recommendations for prevention of educator sexual misconduct.
Elder Abuse Fact Sheet (pdf)
Educates persons about the risk factors, consequences, and prevention of elder abuse.
Elder Abuse: A Well Kept Secret
This article focuses on defining the scope of the problem, addressing the related issue of self-neglect, and outlining community resources for caregivers of the elderly.
Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America
This full book link is provided courtesy of The National Academies Press. This is an online book and can be read in its entirety front to back, by chapter or skimmed by topic of interest. Published in 2002, this book details everything from the definitions and concepts of elder abuse to the public policy implications as well as to the types of interventions available for working with this population.
Eliminating Violence against Children (pdf)
"Jointly produced by UNICEF and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this handbook describes measures parliamentarians can take to end violence against children: they can legislate, oversee government activities, allocate financial resources and, as leaders in their nations and communities, raise awareness of issues."
Estimate of the Incidence of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault in the U.S. (pdf)
"This report provides an overview of a study that was done to determine the incidence rates of drug-facilitated sexual assault. It also seeks to examine the social aspects surrounding the issue."
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."
Examining the Characteristics of Male Sexual Assault Targets in a Southern Maximum-Security Prison (pdf)
"This study seeks to examine the demographic and behavioral characteristics of male inmate sexual assault targets in order to expand the current knowledge on this issue and offer information for providing a safe environment for all inmates."
"The study examined several behavioral mechanisms that link gender-based violence (GBV) to STD among detained, sexually active adolescent girls. GBV was related to chlamydia directly and indirectly through condom failures and through having sexual intercourse while high on drugs and/or alcohol. The study found that sexual risk reduction programs may benefit this population by addressing the role of GBV and its association with STD-associated behaviors."
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."
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? "
"The article begins by reviewing up-to-date research suggesting that the rate of false reporting for sexual assault is in the range of 2-8%. It also critiques prior research suggesting that the rate of false reporting is far higher, and explores the reasons why this issue is so challenging for professionals in the field. The article concludes with a discussion of how professionals can work to overcome these challenges, and how to handle the frustrating reality of "real" false reports. "
Overviews from frequently asked violence against elderly persons.
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.
Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Young Adult Women Fact Sheet (pdf)
"This Fact Sheet uses nationally representative data to describe the types of force used during forced sexual intercourse. Variations in rates of forced sexual intercourse by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual history are also examined."
Fractured Families, Fragile Children - The Sexual Vulnerability of Girls in the Aftermath of Divorce
" This article examines overwhelming empirical evidence in countries as geographically and culturally diverse as Costa Rica, Finland, South Africa and Taiwan confirming that divorce magnifies a girl's risk of molestation. This evidence shows that a female child faces a significantly elevated risk of being sexually abused after her parents divorce, either at the hands of a parent, a parent's partner or someone outside the home. Because courts have failed to grasp the extent to which girls in fractured families are at risk of sexual abuse, this article seeks to provide a framework for understanding the link between marital breakdown and subsequent sexual abuse."
"This study estimated the frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence by type (physical, sexual, battering, or emotional abuse) among women seeking primary health care. Efforts to universally screen for partner violence and to effectively intervene to reduce the impact of such violence on women’s lives must be a public health priority."
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.
Guatemala’s Femicide Law: Progress Against Impunity? (pdf)
This report places femicide within a particular historical, cultural and socio-political context describing the 36-year internal conflict that resulted in rape, torture and murder of tens of thousands of Guatemalan women and girls. Although the government has made some progress in implementing some aspects of the Law Against Femicide, the report also points out that the lack of understanding of the law, continued social unrest, poor media portrayal, and inadequate efforts to implement the law stand in the way of serious progress. The report concludes with recommendations for the government including improving investigation and prosecution of crimes of violence against women, and protection of the victims of violence and their children.
A new report from the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) contains case descriptions of each attack that includes sexual assault. The report notes that because crimes committed against homeless persons often go unreported, the actual numbers of non-lethal attacks is likely much higher. Rapes and sexual assaults also tend to go unreported. The report recommends that state legislatures add homeless persons as a “protected class” to hate crime legislation, and encourages police trainings so law enforcement officers will better understand homelessness and how to prevent hate crimes.
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 Answer the Question: "Does Sex Offender Treatment Work?"
This article discusses whether or not sex offender treatments work, and points to consider when assessing treatment outcomes.
"This is a preliminary report from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center on the first six months of data collection on sexual violence committed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."
"The goal of the current study was to evaluate victimization acknowledgment status as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology using structural equation modeling among a sample of 346 college rape victims. Results showed that whereas acknowledged victims reported more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, acknowledgment status did not add to the prediction of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in a model including assault violence and other important predictors of these symptoms."
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.
This is a compilation of literature on male and female juvenile sex offenders and resources on general child development.
Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended: A Review of the Professional Literature
Posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). A comprehensive and annotated account of the characteristics of juveniles who commit sex offenses and their families and the type of offenses they commit. A broad array of clinical assessment tools, including psychological testing, are described, and a thorough discussion of recidivism rates and issues is presented. The Report concludes with a review of treatment approaches and settings and a look at program assessment.
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."
Lives Blown Apart: Crimes Against Women in Times of Conflict
This report attempts to explore some of the underlying reasons for this violence. Evidence gathered by Amnesty International in recent years supports the view that conflict reinforces and exacerbates existing patterns of discrimination and violence against women.
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."
"This report examines how the media influences sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, both positively and negatively. Topics include: (1) an overview of what is currently known about the effects of sexual content in the entertainment media young people typically use; (2) a review of 25 evaluated, peer-reviewed interventions from 19 countries on how effective media interventions have been in addressing adolescents' reproductive health and recommendations to consider when developing media interventions; and (3) a review of more than 20 media-based-interventions for sexual and reproductive health that have been conducted in the United States."
Measuring Victimization Inside Prisons: Questioning the Questions
"Violence and victimizaton in prisons are accepted facts but the information on their prevalence remains uncertain. This study focuses on questions used in the prison victimization literature to elicit information on victimization from inmates, compared to questions used in the general victimization literature. Rates of victimization were found to vary significantly by specificity of the question, definition of perpetrator, and clustering of behaviors. Facts about victimization inside prison will become more certain when the methodology becomes more standardized and consistent with definitions of victimization."
"The controversy over the commitment of sex offenders is fueled by different interpretations of sexually violent person (SVP) laws. SVP laws require that a sex offender has a mental condition that predisposes them to commit sex offenses and poses a high risk to reoffend because of serious difficulty controlling behavior. This article reviews those constructs; evaluates them from clinical, epidemiologic, and legal perspectives; and proposes interpretations that address both the major criticisms of civil commitment and the challenges in SVP assessment."
Mexico: Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
An Amnesty International report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in February 2009. The report highlighted problems in the area of violence against women, in particular, the prevalence of domestic violence in Mexico and the femicides in Ciudad Juarez along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Migrant Thai Women Subjected to Slavery-Like Abuses in Japan
"This article explores the system of coercion employed by trafficking networks to exploit migrant Thai women's labor in the Japanese sex industry and identifies other factors that contribute to trafficked women's inability to protect themselves from further abuse."
National Elder Abuse Incidence Study - 1998 (pdf)
An incidence report detailing the definitions of elder abuse, the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of elder abuse, and the findings of this survey project.
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."
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.
This study examines the risks posed to transvestite sex workers in Serbia. Violence, especially police violence was reported as a primary concern in connection to broader social forces of discrimination.
Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Facts About Abuse and Those Who Might Commit It (pdf)
A booklet that provides information about people who may commit child sexual abuse. Additional facts regarding what to look for in children who may have been abused and the need to develop a safety plan are 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.
Profiting from abuse: An investigation into the sexual exploitation of children (pdf)
"Highlights ways children are sexually exploited around the world, factors contributing to this exploitation, and responses various states, communities, organizations, and individuals have taken to respond to/prevent/decrease child sexual exploitation."
Protecting Children in Cyberspace: The ICAC Task Force Program (pdf)
January 2002 Bulletin. Discusses efforts by OJJDP's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program that address emerging online threats, such as computer-facilitated sex crimes, directed at children and teenagers. The ICAC Task Force Program helps State and local law enforcement agencies develop effective responses to online enticement and child pornography offenses. Responses include investigative, forensic, community education, and victim service components. The information in this OJJDP Bulletin is intended to help parents, policymakers, and practitioners create an Internet environment in which children can participate safely.
Psychological Profiles of Internet Sexual Offenders: Comparisons With Contact Sexual Offenders
"A sample of Internet sex offenders and contact sex offenders were compared on a range of psychological measures relating to offense-supportive beliefs, empathic concern, interpersonal functioning, and emotional management. Among several findings, results indicated that contact offenders were found to have significantly more victim empathy distortions and cognitive distortions than Internet offenders. Internet offenders were found to have significantly higher identification with fictional characters than contact offenders. The findings are discussed in the context of the etiology of sexual offending and the authors also give recommendations for further research on this population."
Recidivism of Sex Offenders (pdf)
"Summarizes current research on the reoffense rates of sex offenders and explores issues in defining recidivism. Focuses primarily on adult male offenders, describing factors and conditions that appear to be associated with reduced sexual offending."
"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."
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants
The author points out that female children are extremely vulnerable to gender-based violence during migration. Migration is often difficult and dangerous for female children due to “additional restrictions on travel” girls may face due to “male guardianships.” Female children are also vulnerable to human trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labor during migration. The report concludes with recommendations for policy improvements on migration legislation.
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."
Risk Factors for Abusive Relationships: A Study of Vietnamese American Immigrant Women
"This study identifies risk factors for Vietnamese American women's abuse. Patriarchal gender arrangements in the family, arguments about fulfilling gender and family roles, and partner's threat that divorce would compromise the participant's immigration status put women at risk for each type of abuse. "Picture brides" were at heightened risk for sexual abuse. For women with limited resources, education and interventions within the ethnic immigrant community are critical to addressing wife abuse."
"The current study assessed the nature and extent of minor and severe injuries among a help-seeking sample of battered women. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to assess the unique roles of physical violence, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and stalking to the prediction of minor and severe injuries in battered women. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and intervention with battered women."
Security Begins at Home (pdf)
The Kosova Women’s Network released the country’s first study on domestic violence, called Security Begins at Home. The report highlights key points such as: what the citizens of Kosovo perceive as domestic violence, the forms and consequences of domestic violence, citizens' response to ending it, and the legal and institutional gaps in addressing it.
Sedating substances and sexual assault: the connection
"The article talks about perpetrators and why they might use substances, the different types of drugs that are used, and their side effects. Includes risk reduction strategies as well as what to do if you suspect that you or someone else has been drugged."
Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault
This report draws on more than two dozen statistical datasets maintained by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Uniform Crime Reporting program of the FBI to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge about the incidence and prevalence of violent victimization by sexual assault, the response of the justice system to such crimes, and the characteristics of those who prey on victims of all ages by committing sexual assault or rape.
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."
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers useful information on sexual assault, what to do if you've been sexually assaulted, and offers a list of resources for more information on this topic.
Sexual Assault Risk Reduction Curriculum
The curriculum was specifically developed to reduce the incidence of adolescent sexual assault through risk-reduction educational strategies. It is a powerful tool to assist school personnel, police, and community agency staff in their efforts to implement high-quality educational programs. The curriculum includes lessons for high school and middle school aged youth and can be used in either school or non-school settings.
Sexual Violence Against Women and Children in Chinese Societies
"This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reported patterns of sexual violence against women and children in China. It reviews the prevalence of and risk factors for various types of sexual violence and discusses community knowledge and perceptions of these violent acts.It also critically examines three major problems of sexual violence research in China. Recommendations for future research are also discussed."
Sexual Violence Data Brief 2002 - 2007 (pdf)
"Describes the prevalence of sexual violence in Minnesota from 2002 to 2007, comparing data on hospitalization and emergency-department treatment, two community surveys, and criminal justice data on reports to law enforcements and arrests."
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 Reported by Correctional Authorities, 2004 (pdf)
This paper includes the results of a first-ever national survey of administrative records on sexual violence in adult and juvenile correctional facilities. Although data are limited to incidents reported to correctional authorities during 2004, the survey provides an understanding of how administrators respond to sexual violence. The survey also collects basic counts of substantiated incidents, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, and sanctions imposed.
Sexual Violence Research Agenda
"The Sexual Violence Research Initiative recently published the Sexual Violence Research Agenda. The publication recognizes eight key focus areas for research: nature, prevalence, social context and risk factors associated with sexual violence; appropriateness and effectiveness of sexual violence services; sexual violence prevention; sexual violence and restorative justice; sexual violence in conflict and emergency settings; child sexual abuse; human trafficking for sexual exploitation; and female genital cutting."
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.
Silence is Violence: End the Abuse of Women in Afghanistan (pdf)
A new United Nations (UN) report on women in Afghanistan that focuses on the growing trend of violence and threats against women in public life and rape/sexual violence. The report concludes that these forms of violence are a huge occurrence in the everyday lives of Afghan women and the government has a crucial role in helping to eradicate these harmful practices towards women.
Sorority Participation and Sexual Assault Risk
"This study tested the relationship between sexual assault victimization, sorority membership, and participation in a range of sorority activities, using data from a large-sample (N = 779) survey conducted at a midsize public university. A total of 29% of sorority women reported having been sexually assaulted while in college, four times the rate (7%) among nonsorority members. Among sorority members, participation in social events not involving alcohol correlated negatively with sexual assault, indicating a possible protective effect."
Substance Abuse, High-Risk Sex, and Sexual Violence: What's the Connection?
"The article summarizes some of the research that demonstrates having experienced sexual violence is strongly associated with later substance abuse, high-risk sex, and other harmful behaviors."
Teen Dating Violence: A Review of Risk Factors and Prevention Efforts (pdf)
This article provides a critical review of the dating violence literature with respect to potential risk factors for both perpetrators and victims and examines the empirical research regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs targeting teen dating violence. The document also provides recommendations for future research and potential policy implications.
The Extensive Sexual Violation and Sexual Abuse Histories of Incarcerated Women
"This study used the Sexual Abuse Checklist (designed by the first author) and a modified version of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) to obtain a detailed account of 391 incarcerated women's self-reported sexual violation and abuse histories. Seventy percent of the women reported at least one violation consistent with what qualifies as "rape" in most states in the United States today, and half of the women reported child sexual abuse victimization. The most prevalent victim–offender relationships were male strangers, male lovers or boyfriends, male dates, husbands, uncles, brothers, male cousins, and stepfathers."
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 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 Sexual Victimization of College Women
This study contributes data to our understanding about the prevalence and nature of violence against women in the United States.
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."
"This policy brief presents the distilled research and critical thinking of a diverse group of local and national experts in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Via candid dialog and interviews, these leaders developed and prioritized primary prevention strategies, analyzed environmental factors and norms that perpetuate these problems, and outlined policies and practices for transforming our communities and our nation during these turbulent political and economic times."
Two steps forward, one step back: Community attitudes to violence against women
"Summarizes key findings of the Violence Against Women Community Attitudes Project, undertaken to inform future work to prevent violence against women by improving understanding of how community attitudes contribute to this problem."
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. "
Using Rapist Risk Factors to Set an Agenda for Rape Prevention
"This article briefly reviews the empirical research on the behaviors, traits, developmental experiences, and biological antecedents that have been found to be associated with an increased probability that a male will become sexually aggressive. It attempts to differentiate correlative and causative factors and to identify gaps in our knowledge that must be addressed to develop models of etiology on which to base effective prevention programs."
Violence Against General Practitioners in Turkey
"A descriptive cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire answered by a convenience study population consisting of 522 health care practitioners. Of the participating respondents, 82.8% reported that they experienced violence, including sexual violence. Perpetrators were patients and/or their relatives in 91.1% of the events. The authors conclude that workplace violence against health care practitioners warrants more attention and as part of prevention efforts, more attention should be paid to continuous professional, administrative, and legal support from the government along with systematic, coordinated implementations independent from daily political concerns."
Violence Against Girls in Conflict with the Law
This article documents the particular vulnerability to sexual abuse and rape of girls who come into contact with police and juvenile justice systems in various countries.
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 also 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.
"This article explores a hidden yet pervasive form of violence that marks the lives of young women from racialized immigrant communities in western Canada. The article suggests that racism constitutes a significant form of structural violence experienced by these young women. The author argues for an intersectional analysis that takes into consideration their heightened vulnerability to systemic and institutional forms of violence."
Who Is the Next Victim? Vulnerability of Young Romanian Women to Trafficking in Human Beings (pdf)
"Romania is one of the main countries of origin in South Eastern Europe for victims of trafficking. Most of the young women are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This report examines factors that make women vulnerable to trafficking. It looks not only at individual attributes, but also at environmental factors - the family and the community."
Why Does Abuse Happen in Later Life?
"This forum explores the issue of elder abuse and is hosted by Diana Christen, Executive Director of the Family Life Center, a Certified Domestic/Sexual Violence Center and Emergency Shelter in Bunnell, Florida. Diana has specialized in the prevention of domestic/sexual violence for over 10 years."
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.
This report shares findings garnered from a series of interviews held with a diverse group of women from throughout the Gulf region. In telling their stories, it provides an analysis of women's increased vulnerability during times of natural disasters and lays out policy recommendations that pinpoint how best to address those needs in the wake of this disaster, and in anticipation of the next.
World Report on Violence against Children
"This book addresses all violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. It lists the relevant international and national legal instruments and standards. It also describes the nature and impact of all forms of violence, indicating possible risk and causal factors. Finally, and most important, based on existing evidence and concrete examples, it provides detailed recommendation on measures to be taken to enhance the protection of children from violence."
Zero Tolerance: Stop the Violence Against Women and Children, Stop HIV/AIDS (word)
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.