Contagion of Violence - Workshop Summary

On April 30 – May 1, 2012, the IOM Forum on Global Violence Prevention held a workshop to explore the contagious nature of violence. The workshop focused on the epidemiology of the contagion, possible processes and mechanisms by which violence is transmitted, how contextual factors mitigate or exacerbate the issue, and ways in which the contagion of violence might be interrupted. This document summarizes the workshop.

Corporal punishment as a Stressor Among Youth (pdf)

"This article addresses the impact of corporal punishment by parents on the psychological well being of youth. Based on the authors' findings, the research indicates a positive association between the frequency of corporal punishment and both psychological distress and depression."

Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review (pdf)

"The author presents the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental corporal punishment and 11 child behaviors and experiences. Parental corporal punishment was associated with all child constructs, including higher levels of immediate compliance and aggression and lower levels of moral internalization and mental health. The author then presents a process– context model to explain how parental corporal punishment might cause particular child outcomes and considers alternative explanations. The article concludes by identifying 7 major remaining issues for future research."

Corporal Punishment in Adolescence and Physical Assaults on Spouses in Later Life: What Accounts for the Link? (pdf)

"Using data on 4,401 couples who participated in the National Family Violence Survey, this article reports modeling of cultural norms or other processes that could account for the link between corporal punishment and partner violence. Because corporal punishment of adolescents occurs in over half of U.S. families, the findings suggest that elimination of this practice can reduce some of the psychological and social processes that increase the likelihood of future marital violence and perhaps other violence as well."

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

A Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (pdf)

"A new report on human trafficking that provides a global overview on legislation, the criminal justice response, trafficking patterns, intra-and-international flows, and monitoring. The UNODC also highlights the situation of a variety of countries from all regions of the world."

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. "

American Indians and Crime (pdf)

"Reports rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by Native Americans and summarizes data on Native Americans in the criminal justice system."

American Indians and Crime: A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992-2002 (pdf)

"A summary of data on American Indians in the criminal justice system and reports the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians. This report updates a previous BJS report, American Indians and Crime, published in 1999. The findings include the involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence against Indians. The report describes victim-offender relationships, the race of those involved in violence against Indians, and the rate of reporting to police by victims. It discusses the rates of arrest, suspect investigations and charges filed, and incarceration of Indians for violent crimes."

Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Victims of Crime (pdf)

"This report focuses on the victimization experiences of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. It examines nonfatal and fatal violent victimization and property victimization. It also includes comparisons between the victimization of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders and other racial or ethnic groups, as well as information on victimization trends."

Blueprints for Violence Prevention (pdf)

This report by the OJJDP describes 11 model programs and 21 promising programs that demonstrated evidence of effectiveness in delinquency, violence, and substance abuse prevention and reduction. The report describes the Blueprints programs, presents lessons learned about program implementation and provides recommendations for program designers, funders, and implementing agencies and organizations.

Crime and the Nation's Households, 2003 (pdf)

"Presents national prevalence estimates for the percentage of households with one or more persons who were victimized by crime as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey."

Crime and the Nation's Households, 2004 (pdf)

"Presents information on the percentage of households or persons in households who are victimized as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey. Findings are presented by region; urban, suburban or rural location; and by household size."

Crime-Reduction Best Practices Handbook: Making Indian Communities Safe 2012 (pdf)

The Office of Justice Services (OJS) worked diligently to create an approach to crime-reduction that combines elements of short-term enforcement actions with longer term prevention. The ‘best practices’ identified in this handbook are intended as guidelines for law enforcement entities operating throughout Indian Country. The handbook contains the successful strategies and those that have not worked as well as expected.

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."

Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes (pdf)

"This handbook offers, in a quick reference format, an overview of key considerations in the implementation of participatory responses to crime based on a restorative justice approach. Its focus is on a range of measures and programmes, inspired by restorative justice values, that are flexible in their adaptation to criminal justice systems and that complement them while taking into account varying legal, social and cultural circumstances. It was prepared for the use of criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations and community groups who are working together to improve current responses to crime and conflict in their community."
Also available in French

Handbook on the crime prevention guidelines Making them work (pdf)

This Handbook is one of a series of practical tools developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support countries in the implementation of the standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice. These standards and norms support the rule of law, human rights and a culture of lawfulness through the development of crime prevention and criminal justice reform.

Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 2008 (pdf)

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.

Hispanic Victims of Violent Crime, 1993-2000 (pdf)

"Examines violent crimes committed against Hispanic victims including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. Crime victimizations are compared with those of four non-Hispanic groups: whites, blacks, American Indians, and Asians."

Homicides of Children and Youth

October 2001 Bulletin report. Provides a statistical portrait of juvenile homicide victimization by drawing on FBI and other data. As part of OJJDP's Crimes Against Children Series, the Bulletin offers detailed information about overall crime patterns and victim age groups. Specific types of juvenile homicide, including maltreatment homicides, abduction homicides, and school homicides, are discussed in further detail. The Bulletin also explores initiatives designed to prevent homicides of children and youth.

How to obtain U Interim Relief: A Brief Manual for Advocates Assisting Immigrant Victims of Crime (pdf)

This manual provides U Visa information for advocates who assist victims of crime, including domestic violence. The author outlines the definition, requirements, and application process for U Visa Interim relief and also offers information on obtaining permanent residency and derivative status for family members.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

Indigenous perpetrators of violence: Prevalence and risk factors for offending (pdf)

"This report presents results of research into victimisation of, and offending by, Indigenous people. The report draws attention to the need to investigate the specifics of different forms of violent offending, the relationship between victims and offenders and the location and nature of different community settings."

Juvenile Arrests 2007 (pdf)

"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2007 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2007."

Juvenile Arrests 2008 (pdf)

"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2008 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2008."

Making Restitution Real: Five Case Studies on Improving Restitution Collection (pdf)

This article was prepared by National Center for Victims of Crime with the support of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. It provides real-world examples of efforts to improve the collection of victim restitution.
Be patient. This article is quite large and may take a few minutes to load.

National Crime Victimization Survey Criminal Victimization, 2007 (pdf)

"Presents estimates of rates and levels of personal and property victimization for 2007 and describes the substantial fluctuations in the survey measures of the crime rates from 2005 through 2007. 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."

National Crime Victimization Survey: Criminal Victimization Series

These reports present estimates of national levels and rates of personal and property victimization. Estimates are from data collected using the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), an ongoing survey of households that interviews about 76,000 persons in 42,000 households twice annually. Violent crimes included in the report are rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault (from the NCVS), and homicide (from the FBI's UCR program). Property crimes examined are burglary, motor vehicle theft, and property theft. Electronic reports available date from 1992.

Office for Victims of Crime Help Brochure Series

The OVC HELP Brochure Series provides a resource for victims of crime and the victim service providers that work with them every day. Each brochure defines a type of victimization; discusses what to do if you are the victim of this crime; and provides national resources for more information and assistance on where to go for help.
Topics include: Assault, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Impaired Driving, Homicide, Robbery, Sexual Violence, Stalking, and What Adults Need to Know About Child Abuse.

Preventing Violence and Sexual Assault in Jail: A situational crime prevention approach (pdf)

With help from Urban Institute researchers, three county jails adopted strategies to prevent sexual assault and violence among inmates by increasing the effort required to commit violent acts and by making perpetrators more likely to get caught. Inmate perceptions of safety increased in two of the jails following the interventions.

Preventing violence before it occurs: Directions for improving outcomes for young people, our cities, and our economic recovery and growth (pdf)

A Prevention Institute memo highlighting opportunities for improving safety and well-being in our nation’s urban areas while saving money and stimulating the economy.

Privacy of Victims' Counseling Communications

This document provides an overview of state laws and current issues related to the privacy of communications between victims and their counselors. This bulletin and the others in the Legal Series highlight various circumstances in which relevant laws are applied, emphasizing their successful implementation.

Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence at the International Criminal Court (pdf)

"The report assesses the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in reducing acts of sexual violence in armed conflict. The report explores whether the existence of the ICC acts as a deterrent for gender-based violence in conflict situations, and whether perpetrators of sexual violence can be brought to justice under provisions of the Rome Statute specifically addressing gender violence. The report also offers recommendations for improving the ICC’s ability to actually and symbolically reduce violence against women by characterizing gender-based violence in conflict situations as an international war crime."

So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)

A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.

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 VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants (pdf)

Manual on the preparation, filing and processing of applications pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Also includes detailed information on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for Children Under Juvenile Court Jurisdiction, and U and T Non-Immigrant Visas (Victims of Crime and Trafficking). A good resource for advocates and legal professionals working with these victims.
This document takes some time to download, especially with a slow connection.

The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 1-100 (pdf)

Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.

The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 101-200 (pdf)

Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.

The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 201-300 (pdf)

Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.

The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 301-380 (pdf)

Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.

Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (pdf)

"The 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report outlines the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the United States. This year’s report highlights several key trends, including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the challenges and successes in identifying and protecting victims, and the need to include anti-trafficking policies in our response to natural disasters."

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. "

Victimizations Not Reported to the Police, 2006-2010 (pdf)

Presents findings, for a five-year period from 2006 to 2010, on the characteristics of crime victimizations that went unreported to police, according to data from the National Crime Victimization Survey. The characteristics examined in this report include the type of crime, whether it involved a weapon or injury, the victim-offender relationship, and demographic characteristics of the victim. For each of the characteristics examined, the report also details victims' rationale for not reporting to the police, including beliefs that the police would not or could not help, that the crime was not important enough to report, or fear of reprisal or getting the offender into trouble.

Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities

This is a product of the Symposium on Working with Crime Victims with Disabilities, funded by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and coordinated by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). They developed recommendations for OVC and the victim assistance field on improving the response in serving crime victims with disabilities.

You Will Be Punished: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo

"This report, which is based on interviews with victims, witnesses and family members, details violations of international humanitarian law in Eastern Congo by military forces, including the deaths of more than 1,400 citizens in 2009. Nearly 7,500 cases of sexual violence against women and girls in eastern Congo were also recorded by the UN between January and September 2009."

Broken Trust: Elders, Family & Finances (pdf)

"This is a report of a collaborative study of elder financial abuse. The study examines the prevalence as well as characteristics of victims and perpetrators of financial elder abuse and offers suggestions for identifying and addressing this problem. "

Economic Violence To Women and Girls: Is It Receiving the Necessary Attention? (pdf)

"This paper seeks to draw attention to the types of economic violence experienced by women, and describes its consequences on health and development. Recommendations for practice, policy, and research are also given."

Human Rights Dialogue: Violence Against Women (pdf)

This special edition of the magazine explores how women's advocates are challenging the public/private divide, the cultural and religious objections to granting women's rights, and the common blindness to linkages between violence against women and the deprivation of other rights, specifically economic and social rights.

Male Ordered: The Mail-Order Bride Industry and Trafficking in Women for Sexual and Labour Exploitation (pdf)

"This report provides extensive research of the mail-order bride industry in the United Kingdom. The industry is linked to the promotion of trafficking, prostitution, pornography and slavery. The report suggests that this industry not only exploits vulnerable groups of women but also reinforces racial and ethnic stereotypes. Recommendations are given on what the government can do to further protect women."

Progress of the World's Women 2000

UNIFEM's first issue in the biennial investigation of progress made towards a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality. Topics covered include women's economic security and rights, engendering governance and leadership and promoting women's human rights.

Progress of the World's Women 2002, Volume 2: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals

This is the second edition of a biennial publication to track and measure the world's commitment to gender equality. It examines progress for women, or the lack of it, in education, literacy, non-agricultural wage employment and parliamentary representation.

Psychological Abuse: A Discussion Paper (pdf)

"This paper is a review of research on psychological abuse in interpersonal and family relationships including in settings such as long-term care residences.The paper presents research findings on the personal, economic and health related costs of psychological abuse to the individual and to society, and briefly outlines legal recourses for victims. It concludes by exploring ways to recognize and address psychological abuse, while emphasizing the importance of developing holistic approaches "

Report on Elder Abuse in India (pdf)

As life expectancy in India is increasing and the number of elderly is growing, security and abuse of older persons is emerging as an issue of greater concern. HelpAge India felt it was important to understand issues relating to elder abuse, its nature and extent of prevalence across cities, and perceptions of the elderly and other stakeholders. The study outcome is expected to provide a better understanding of the issues that need intervention and advocacy.

Report on the Taliban's War Against Women

Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.

The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence (pdf)

This document examines the economic effects of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, as well as the economic effects of interventions seeking to reduce violence and the ways in which economic factors such as poverty and income inequality contribute to violence.

The 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 Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast: Multiple Disadvantages and Key Assets for Recovery Part II. Gender, Race, and Class in the Labor Market (pdf)

"This briefing paper addresses the needs of the women of the Gulf Coast region and uncovers the multiple disadvantages experienced by women affected by both hurricane Katrina and Rita."

Trafficking and Forced Prostitution of Palestinian Women and Girls: Forms of Modern Day Slavery

"The first, in-depth study of its kind within the region that digs deeper to unravel the layers of this type of abuse. The paper analyzes six case studies — two on fathers selling their daughters, three on traffickers and one on a woman working in prostitution. It assesses and measures the extent of women trafficking in the Palestinian region in order to call on civil society organizations and Palestinian governmental institutions to take urgent and concrete actions against this human rights violation."

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."

Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

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.

A Different World is Possible: A call for long-term and targeted action to prevent violence against women and girls (pdf)

This report, developed with expert practitioners, researchers and policy analysts on the EVAW Prevention Network, England, sets out why we need a targeted and long term approach to preventing violence against women and girls. This report largely calls on schools and other educational institutions to play their part in creating a safer world for women and girls.

Addressing the Gendered Dimensions of Harassment and Bullying: What domestic and sexual violence advocates need to know (pdf)

This issue brief brings to light important differences between bullying and harassment and speaks to the priorities and responsibilities of school districts in understanding these differences.

An unwanted truth? Focusing the G8: Shining a spotlight on sexual violence against children in conflict

This report focuses on the realities and prevalence of sexual violence committed against children in conflict. It urges action to recognize and address this issue by global leaders.

Asia Child Marriage Initiative: Summary of Research in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (pdf)

This study on child marriage in Bangladesh, India and Nepal explores the perceptions of different stakeholders about the causes and consequences of child marriage and the efficacy of Plan’s programming in addressing these factors.

Born Free and Equal: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Human Rights Law (pdf)

This resource sets out the source and scope of some of the core legal obligations that States have to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The 60-page booklet is designed as a tool for States, to help them better understand the nature of their obligations and the steps required to meet them, as well as for civil society activists, human rights defenders and others seeking to hold Governments to account for breaches of international human rights law.

Combating Acid Violence in Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia (pdf)

Acid violence is the “intentional act of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour acid onto victims' faces and bodies.” The report finds that acid violence is a form of gender-based violence because it disproportionately affects women, which is prohibited by the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are all parties to CEDAW and are under a legal obligation to undertake measures to prevent acid violence.
The report calls for the governments of Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia to fulfill their obligation to CEDAW in a number of ways. This includes the adoption of legislation to prevent attacks, provide punishment of perpetrators, and compensate victims. In all three countries, survivors face immense challenges in obtaining adequate healthcare.

Delaying Marriage for Girls in India: A Formative Research to Design Interventions for Changing Norms (pdf)

This study aims to contribute to understanding the issue of child marriage by providing new findings and insights from the States of Rajasthan and Bihar. Findings from the study, undertaken by the International Center for Research on Women reveal that deeply entrenched norms are slowly changing through promising interventions to delay marriage and encourage girls' education. The report also makes recommendations toward the development of an integrated intervention strategy to delay marriage for girls by enhancing girls' access to education, empowerment, community mobilization, partnership with media, and strengthening of law enforcement.

Effective Police Responses to Violence Against Women (pdf)

This Handbook is designed to assist and guide police officers in the prevention of, and response to, violence against women. While it has global applications, it is designed primarily for use by police in transitional and developing countries where institutional means to protect women from violence have not yet been created or implemented.
This handbook was also created in conjunction with a Training Curriculum

Ending Violence Against Women, An Oxfam Guide

Oxfam works to end violence against women because it is a human rights violation and a major obstacle to human development. This guide was written to inform and inspire the work of violence prevention. It can be read and consulted individually – or used for discussion with peers. The “candid question” and “exercise” boxes offer avenues for such reflexion and discussion. While the guide is directed towards internal Oxfam staff, it is available for external distribution as well.
Available in English and Spanish

Ending Violence Against Women: From Words to Action (pdf)

Violence against women is a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights. The continued prevalence of violence against women is testimony to the fact that States have yet to tackle it with the necessary political commitment, visibility and resources. This study identifies ways to close the gap between States’ obligations under international norms, standards and policies and their inadequate and inconsistent implementation at the national level. It calls for efforts to eradicate violence against women to become a higher priority at the local, national and international level.
(2006 Publication)

Engaging Coaches and Athletes in Fostering Gender Equality: Findings from the Parivartan Program in Mumbai, India

This resource is the summary report of a program in India called "Parivartan". Based on Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), a comprehensive program that aims to reduce violence against women and girls and alter norms that foster gender inequity, this India specific cricket-based adaptation of the program engaged cricket coaches and mentors in schools and the community to teach boys lessons about controlling aggression, preventing violence, and promoting respect.

Engaging Young Men through Social Media for the Prevention of Violence against Women: Social media project clinic (pdf)

The project - “Engaging Young Men through Social Media for the Prevention of Violence against Women” – aims to connect and inspire young people to take action to end gender-based violence and will be carried out in China, Indonesia, and India. The “Social media for social change” meeting brought together the organizations selected to work on this project to share and learn from each other, and to take part in a ‘social media clinic’ with a global expert on social media. Participants explored what social media tools are available and how they can be used creatively to reach out to boys and men to take action to violence against women in Asia and the Pacific.

Envisioning a Regional Curriculum: Working with Boys and Men for Gender-based Violence Prevention (pdf)

This consultation brought together 21 participants from 11 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The overall objective was to discuss a coordinated regional approach to capacity development for the region with the following goals:
-Explore the body of knowledge and training materials on masculinity, gender and violence prevention
-Discuss an outline of an adaptable training curriculum to be used for subsequent capacity development activities in the region
-Define a regional approach to training /capacity development and outline next steps

Explorando las intersecciones entre empoderamiento, VIH y violencia contra las mujeres en America Latina y el Caribe (pdf)

Exploring the Intersections between Empowerment, HIV, and Violence against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States: 2011 National Survey Results (pdf)

This resource was developed from information gained through a national survey on the state of forced marriage in the United States. The survey was the first of its kind conducted in the United States and was designed to understand the scope and nature of forced marriage among immigrant communities.

From Survivors to Defenders: Women Confronting Violence in Mexico, Honduras & Guatemala (pdf)

This report follows a 10-day delegation to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala led by Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum in January 2012. The fact-finding mission investigated the impact of the war on drugs and increased mining operations on the lives of women.

Handle with Care: A guide to responsible media reporting of violence against women (pdf)

A useful and clear guide designed for journalists reporting or writing on violence against women. This guide is an attempt to lay down some common sense standards and procedures for reporting on men’s violence against women, in all its forms. The proposals for best practice go further than the legal requirements on journalists. They form a handbook of moral guidance.

Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S. Food Industry (pdf)

This report documents the workplace experiences of immigrant women who have come to the United States to escape poverty. It describes how the laws that are in place to protect them from exploitation are grossly inadequate. Section three talks specifically about sexual violence experienced in the workplace. Results are from interviews with approximately 150 women who are either currently undocumented or have spent time in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants.

International Expert Group Meeting on Combating Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls (pdf)

In January 2012 the United Nations             Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held an International Expert Group Meeting at UN Headquarters entitled “Combating violence against indigenous women and girls: Article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” This conference applied a human rights framework to the issue of gender‐based violence faced by indigenous women, while contextualizing its global manifestations in the context of States’ responsibilities under international human rights law. This document outlines the themes of the meeting and recalls the conversations that were had. It also includes interviews with indigenous rights activists.  

Making a Difference: An Assessment of Volunteer Interventions Addressing Gender Based Violence in Cambodia (pdf)

The primary objective of this study is to analyze interventions where volunteerism has played or is playing a significant role in the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) in Cambodia. Drawing on consultations with all stakeholders, including volunteers, survivors and representatives of organizations, this study aims to inform and strengthen future volunteer interventions to respond to and prevent gender-based violence.

Media as a Site to Prevent Violence against Girls and Women (pdf)

This expert paper from UN Women explores the media as a site of primary prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) / gender-based violence.

Men and the Prevention of Gender-based Violence: A Conceptual Framework for Policy Change

This discussion paper was produced for Partners for Prevention. One goal of this interagency collaboration is to produce a holistic, evidence-based set of policy recommendations for more effective gender based violence prevention. Endorsement of these policy recommendations by leading UN agencies will deepen our collaboration with partners in government across the region to implement policy enhancements for effective violence prevention.

Mobilizing Men in Practice: Challenging sexual and gender-based violence in institutional settings (pdf)

Through exploring ways of engaging men as gender activists within the institutions to which they belong, Mobilizing Men is working to better understand what it takes to confront sexual and gender based violence in institutional settings. This resource brings together stories and lessons from this work, as well as some of the tools used by the Mobilizing Men partners in India, Kenya and Uganda. It is intended to inspire and guide others who are committed to engaging more men in efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence within the institutions in which we live our lives.

Partners for Prevention Annual Report 2010: Working to Prevent Violence against Women (pdf)

This report covers Partners for Prevention's progress and key programmatic milestones from 2010. Through valued partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, Partners for Prevention moved from a take-off phase in 2009 to full implementation of their three projects in 2010 - Evidence-based Policy Advocacy, Capacity Development and Networking and Communications for Social Change.

PHENG THAO: Pushing Boundaries to Affect Systems Change (pdf)

This article profiles Pheng Thao, a Minnesota leader engaging men in primary prevention efforts to end sexual and domestic violence. While Pheng focuses on the Hmong community in this article, the issues he identifies are familiar in every community in Minnesota. Pheng is a great example of what men can do and the impact we can have as we speak up and organize to end men’s violence and support gender equality.

Predictable, Preventable: Best Practices for Addressing Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence During and After Disasters (pdf)

This report highlights why and how interpersonal and self-directed violence during and after disasters is a predictable and preventable problem and the actions the International Federation and its partner agencies should take to have a more engaged role in addressing the problem. Canadian Red Cross & the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Preventing Violence Against Women and Children: Workshop Summary

"The Institute of Medicine, Forum on Global Violence Prevention held its first workshop January 27-28, 2011 to explore the prevention of violence against women and children. The workshop was designed to examine approaches to violence prevention from multiple perspectives and diverse levels of society. The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss intervention strategies to prevent violence before it starts, prevent the recurrence of violence, prevent violence-related trauma, and stop the spread of violence to the next generation or social level. Speakers suggested a need to advance research on the co-occurrence of abuse on both child and partner, changing social norms, and the state of violence prevention research in low- and middle-income countries. This document is a summary of the workshop."

Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents (pdf)

Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents provides an overview of the situation of adolescents, including of their vulnerabilities in critical areas. It makes a compelling case for increased efforts in advocacy, programming and policy, and for investment, to ensure the rights of adolescents and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The last section of the report focuses on violence experienced by adolescents.
Released April 2012

Protect: Identifying and Protecting High Risk Victims of Gender Based Violence

PROTECT aims at contributing to the prevention and reduction of the most serious forms of gender-based violence against girls, young women and their children, such as grievous bodily harm, homicide and attempted homicide, including so-called honour crimes and killings.
The project’s target groups are professionals from core agencies responsible for the protection and support of victims and the prevention of violence, organisations and institutions working in the area of violence prevention, policy makers and – last but not least – victims of gender-based violence.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (pdf)

This thematic report addresses the topic of gender-related killings of women. Globally, the prevalence of different manifestations of gender-related killings is reaching alarming proportions. Culturally and socially embedded, these manifestations continue to be accepted, tolerated or justified—with impunity as the norm. States‘ responsibility to act with due diligence in the promotion and protection of women‘s rights is largely lacking as regards the killing of women.

Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace, and Security (pdf)

This is the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 which confronts sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Recognized by this resolution is that the maintenance of international peace and security is not possible with the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict. With this resolution the SC is committed to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, punishing perpetrators, and requesting a report from the Secretary General on situations in which sexual violence is being widely or systematically employed against civilians and on strategies for ending the practice.
The link above is to the English version of the resolution. Over 100 other translations can be found here.

The Experience of Violence in the Lives of Homeless Women: A Research Report (pdf)

This multi-site statewide study examined the experience of violence among 800 homeless women living in one of four cities in Florida. The results from the quantitative portion of the study combined with the qualitative interviews demonstrate that the homeless women taking part in the Florida Four City Study endured various combinations of victimization, homelessness and other traumatic life events and that in many cases, these experiences led the women to feel inconsequential, worthless, isolated and alone.

The Role of Faith Based Organisations in a Strategy to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (pdf)

This expert paper reflects on the role of faith based organizations in civil society, looking in particular at their potential to contribute to change; but also at their roles in continuing to support norms and attitudes that legitimize violence against women and girls.

Thematic study on the issue of violence against women and girls and disability (pdf)

This report analyzes national legislation, policies and programmes for the protection and prevention of violence against women and girls with disabilities. It highlights the remaining challenges in addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls with disabilities and how to incorporate women and girls with disabilities into gender-based violence programmes. The study concludes with recommendations on legislative, administrative, policy and programmatic measures to address violence against women and girls with disabilities.

Understanding Masculinities: A Formative Research on Masculinities and Gender-based Violence in Pakistan (pdf)

This study is based on qualitative research undertaken in a small community in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. The research aims to deepen understanding of male attitudes and perceptions on gender based violence and their link to masculine identity.

VAWNet Special Collections: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response

This collection highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of women and children to domestic and sexual violence in disaster and emergency situations. Included in this collection are selected materials and resources -- many gender-informed -- that can be used by domestic and sexual violence organizations to increase their preparedness for and response to major disasters and emergencies. Also included is information developed for victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are concurrently coping with trauma and stress after a natural disaster or major crisis. Special attention has been given to the issues faced by children in these situations.

Violence Against Women Living in Situations of Armed Conflict (pdf)

Report on a World Health Organization Workshop that addresses the importance of recognizing the extent and prevalence of violence against women living in situations of armed conflict and the urgent need to take action against it.

Who Are Transgender People? Transgender Basics for Victim Service Providers

From FORGE, this informational sheet provides terms and definitions on gender identity and expression for victim-service professionals.

Working with Boys and Men for Gender Equality and Violence Prevention; Learning Together Regionally: An East and Southeast Asia Regional Consultation (pdf)

The consultation brought together approximately 65 participants from East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific and focused three objectives:
-Explore the concepts of masculinities, gender relations, and gender-based violence (GBV) – and how they are connected.
-Share promising practices and lessons learned in the region on the engagement of boys and men in gender equality and GBV prevention.
-Explore next steps to for collaboration across the region to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and GBV prevention.

Working with Boys and Men for Gender Equality and Violence Prevention; Working Together Regionally: A South Asia Consultation (pdf)

The consultation brought together participants from across South Asia and focused on three key objectives:
1. Deepen our understanding of gender, masculinities and gender-based violence in the South Asian context
2. Discuss an approach and process for working together regionally to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and prevention of Gender-based Violence (GBV)
3. Reach agreement on next steps, roles and responsibilities for working together regionally.

World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development

This report details types of disparities and practical solutions for all countries facing gender inequality. The main messages of this report focus around how gender equality affects development, how global development has closed some gender gaps while others persist, understanding progress and persistence, priorities for domestic policy action, and the role of the international community.
Whole report available as a pdf, or see the website to download individual chapters.

An unwanted truth? Focusing the G8: Shining a spotlight on sexual violence against children in conflict

This report focuses on the realities and prevalence of sexual violence committed against children in conflict. It urges action to recognize and address this issue by global leaders.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

2011 Hate Crime Statistics

2011 information and statistics on all reported violent offenses as a result of bias toward a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, or physical or mental disability. Data includes offenses, victims, offenders, and locations of the bias-motivated incidents reported by law enforcement agencies throughout the nation.

American Indians and Crime: A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992-2002 (pdf)

"A summary of data on American Indians in the criminal justice system and reports the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians. This report updates a previous BJS report, American Indians and Crime, published in 1999. The findings include the involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence against Indians. The report describes victim-offender relationships, the race of those involved in violence against Indians, and the rate of reporting to police by victims. It discusses the rates of arrest, suspect investigations and charges filed, and incarceration of Indians for violent crimes."

Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hate Crimes Report in 2005 (pdf)

Discusses hate crimes of violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.

Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Violence in 2004 (pdf)

This report is about bias related incidents targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the US.

Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Victims of Crime (pdf)

"This report focuses on the victimization experiences of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. It examines nonfatal and fatal violent victimization and property victimization. It also includes comparisons between the victimization of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders and other racial or ethnic groups, as well as information on victimization trends."

Born Free and Equal: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Human Rights Law (pdf)

This resource sets out the source and scope of some of the core legal obligations that States have to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The 60-page booklet is designed as a tool for States, to help them better understand the nature of their obligations and the steps required to meet them, as well as for civil society activists, human rights defenders and others seeking to hold Governments to account for breaches of international human rights law.

Close the Book on Hate: Responding to Hate Motivated Behaviors in Schools

Discusses hate incidents and hate crimes. Gives lesson plans and teaching tips regarding responding to hate-motivated behavior in schools, holiday activities guidelines, anti-bias education, creating a positive environment in which to raise diversity issues, and resources.

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."

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

Hate Crime in America Summit Recommendations

The 1998 IACP Hate Crime in America Summit produced 46 recommendations to: Prevent Hate Crime; Respond to Hate Crime; and Measure the Effectiveness of Prevention and Response Efforts.

Hate Crimes Against People with Disabilities

This paper examines hate crimes perpetrated against people with disabilities. The paper outlines some of the differences between hate crimes committed against people with disabilities and those committed against other members of the community.

Hate Crimes against the Homeless: Violence Hidden in Plain View (pdf)

Hate Crimes against the Homeless: Violence Hidden in Plain View documents the known cases of violence against homeless individuals by housed individuals in 2010. The report includes descriptions of the cases, current and pending legislation that would help protect homeless people, and recommendations for advocates to help prevent violence against homeless individuals.

Hate Crimes and Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People (pdf)

This report from the Human Rights Campaign is an effort to help lawmakers, law enforcement officials and others better understand hate crimes. It highlights the need to standardize hate crimes reporting procedures and teach law enforcement how to recognize bias-based and identity crime. Additionally, the report summarizes research from law enforcement, opinion polls and several studies published since 2006.

Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV- affected Communities in the United States in 2011 (pdf)

NCAVP’s annual report documenting hate violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIVaffected (LGBTQH) communities provides the most comprehensive national data to support LGBTQH antiviolence efforts across the nation. The findings in the report continue to shed light on the importance of prevention, strategic response, research, and accurate reporting of hate violence as it affects LGBTQH communities.

Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 2008 (pdf)

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.

Healing the Hate: A National Hate Crime Prevention Curriculum (pdf)

Originally designed to be used in classroom settings, these materials have also proven useful in a variety of other venues: working with youth who commit hate crimes, working with schools experiencing specific bias crime problems, in after-school programs, and in teacher training settings.

Helping Youth Resist Bias and Hate: Program Activity Guide, Middle School Edition (pdf)

This guide provides parents, educators, and other adults working with middle school aged children with tools and strategies to engage in constructive discussions and activities about the causes and effects of prejudice and bias-motivated behavior and to intervene, when needed, with youth who engage in such behavior.

Hispanic Victims of Violent Crime, 1993-2000 (pdf)

"Examines violent crimes committed against Hispanic victims including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. Crime victimizations are compared with those of four non-Hispanic groups: whites, blacks, American Indians, and Asians."

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

More Than A Name: State Sponsored Homophobia and Its Consequences in Southern Africa (pdf)

This report evaluates the effects of State-sponsored homophobia on the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Preventing Youth Hate Crimes: A Manual for Schools and Communities, 1998

Promotes the discussion, planning, immediate action, and long-term responses of hate crime to assist schools and communities in confronting and eliminating harassment, intimidation, violence, and other hate-motivated behavior among young people.

Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada

This report examines the role of discrimination in acts of violence carried out against Indigenous women in Canadian towns and cities. This discrimination takes the form both of overt cultural prejudice and of implicit or systemic biases in the policies and actions of government officials and agencies, or of society as a whole. This discrimination has played out in policies and practices that have helped put Indigenous women in harm’s way and in the failure to provide Indigenous women the protection from violence that is every woman’s human right.
French and Spanish versions can be found here

The Impact of Hate Violence on Victims: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Attacks

From Social Work, May 1994, pp. 247-251, posted by the National Asssociation of Social Workers. This study explored the nature of hate attacks and victims' responses to them. The sample consisted of 59 victims and included black, white, and Southeast Asian people. Data were obtained through focus group meetings, individual interviews, and questionnaires. More than half of the victims reported experiencing a series of attacks rather than a single attack. Anger, fear, and sadness were the emotional responses most frequently reported by victims. About one-third of the victims reported behavioral responses such as moving from the neighborhood or purchasing a gun. The responses of hate violence victims were similar to those of victims of other types of personal crime. Implications for social work intervention are discussed.

Why It Matters: Rethinking Victim Assistance for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Victims of Hate Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

/*Not available 7/17/12 "This report, the product of a 2009 survey of victim assistance providers and LGBTQ anti-violence programs throughout the United States, describes widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ victims of crime and recommends steps to improve both the services and their accessibility."

Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities

This is a product of the Symposium on Working with Crime Victims with Disabilities, funded by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and coordinated by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). They developed recommendations for OVC and the victim assistance field on improving the response in serving crime victims with disabilities.

American Indians and Crime: A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992-2002 (pdf)

"A summary of data on American Indians in the criminal justice system and reports the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians. This report updates a previous BJS report, American Indians and Crime, published in 1999. The findings include the involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence against Indians. The report describes victim-offender relationships, the race of those involved in violence against Indians, and the rate of reporting to police by victims. It discusses the rates of arrest, suspect investigations and charges filed, and incarceration of Indians for violent crimes."

Facts About Intimate Partner Stalking in Minnesota and the United States (pdf)

A fact sheet created by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women as part of a statewide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates titled the Anatomy of Strangulation.

Facts About Intimate Partner Strangulation (pdf)

A recent fact sheet created by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women as part of a statewide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates titled the Anatomy of Strangulation.

Family and Intimate Partner Homicide Virginia, 2007 (pdf)

The first report to analyze fatal cases of intimate-partner and family violence in the state of Virginia over a nine-year period. Risk factors, specific populations, and other findings are discussed.

Family Violence Death Review Committee First Annual Report (pdf)

The Family Violence Death Review Committee's overarching goal is to contribute to the prevention of family violence and family violence deaths in New Zealand. The report outlines the objectives and achievements for the first year as well as goals and recommendations for the following year.

Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report (pdf)

The Report analyzes single-victim homicides and near-deadly assaults, provides strategies for ending domestic violence, and spotlights communities that have successfully implemented recommendations from previous reports.

Information about Murder-Suicides (pdf)

A fact sheet created by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women as part of a statewide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates titled the Anatomy of Strangulation.

Intimate Partner Homicide Prevention

This Special Collection explores the most tragic consequence of domestic violence and offers a variety of tools and information towards its prevention. The collection outlines the scope of the problem, provides tools and strategies for assessing danger, resources and much more.
This resource was developed by VAWnet and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, with contributions from the Battered Women’s Justice Project, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

New York City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee Annual Report 2008 (pdf)

This report describes family-related homicides that occurred in New York City between 2002 and 2007. Includes key findings, risk factors, and action steps in response to findings.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Winter 2010 Bulletin (pdf)

In the latest issue of the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence's (OPDV) quarterly newsletter, topics include the use of technology in stalking, predicting reabuse and murders of intimate partners, and training events happening around the state.

Shattered Lives: Homicides, Domestic Violence and Asian Families (pdf)

This report focuses on domestic violence related homicides as a critical issue affecting Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander battered women since 2001. Types of domestic violence related homicides, children as victims, and perpetrator types are discussed. Findings and recommendations are also provided.

Surveillance for Violent Deaths -- National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005

"This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) regarding violent deaths from 16 U.S. states for 2005. Results are reported by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, marital status, location of injury, method of injury, circumstances of injury, and other selected characteristics."

The Danger Assessment

The Danger Assessment is a tool that was developed to help determine the level of danger an abused woman has of being killed by her intimate partner. There are two parts to the tool: a calendar and a 20-item scoring instrument. The original danger assessment is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French (Canadian).

Thinking About Homicide Risk: A Practice Framework for Counseling

This paper proposes a multi-systemic practice framework to help counselors assess for and respond to homicide risk in family violence contexts. The framework outlines the four main system domains that counselors may need to address: the client system; the therapeutic relationship; the organizational context; and the system of services.

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. "

When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2002 Homicide Data (pdf)

"Annual report which details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."

When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2004 Homicide Data (pdf)

"This annual report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."

When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2005 Homicide Data (pdf)

"This annual report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."

When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2007 Homicide Data (pdf)

The report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender. The study uses the most recent data available from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s unpublished Supplementary Homicide Report.

A High-Tech Twist on Abuse: Technology, Intimate Partner Stalking, and Advocacy

This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of technology to stalk. The author uses both published literature and contributions provided by numerous survivors’ reports to provide current information on the variety of sophisticated tools that are being used to stalk current and former intimate partners. The article also provides specific strategies for advocates, including safety planning information, a resource list, and a handout for survivors.

An Educator's Guide To Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats (pdf)

This document provides information about cyberbullying and cyberthreats for educators and other professionals who focus on youth safety and well-being and sets forth recommendations for a comprehensive school and community based approach to address these concerns.

Australian Institute of Criminology: Cyberstalking (pdf)

This article speaks to the different forms of stalking made possible with the use of the internet. Methods of intervention including legislation are discussed as well.

Handle with Care: A guide to responsible media reporting of violence against women (pdf)

A useful and clear guide designed for journalists reporting or writing on violence against women. This guide is an attempt to lay down some common sense standards and procedures for reporting on men’s violence against women, in all its forms. The proposals for best practice go further than the legal requirements on journalists. They form a handbook of moral guidance.

Helpful or Harmful?: How Innovative Communication Technology Affects Survivors of Intimate Violence

This paper explores: 1) the prevalence of web usage by both survivors of intimate violence and the organizations that serve them; 2) the ways in which batterers misuse communication technology to monitor and control their partners activities; and 3) precautions that survivors and organizations can employ to safeguard themselves from liability, harm, and ethical conundrums.

Internet Safety Information

Article on how to erase history lists and cache files on your browser.

Pornography and Sexual Violence

This paper explores possible connections between men's use of pornography and sexual violence, and highlights definitions of terms, appropriate methods of investigation, relevant aspects of current disputes, and how pornography reinforces and sexualizes a subordinate status of women.

Survivors of Intimate Violence Seek Help Online: Implications of Responding to Increasing Requests

March 19, 2001. This article documents a one-year study of unsolicited email requests sent to Violence Against Women Online Resources. This article explores some of the implications of responding to requests from survivors online; and seeks to raise awareness about one particular website's increasing number of electronic help-seeking requests. The author calls for a national discussion on responding to such requests and underscores the importance of developing a strategic plan to address the issue.

Warning!!: How an Abuser Can Discover Your Internet Activities (pdf)

This article discusses email safety and methods for clearing the computer cache of visited sites.

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.

Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence – An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice (pdf)

"This document captures best practices and emerging elements for a more effective response by peacekeepers to women’s security concerns and catalogues direct and indirect efforts to combat sexual violence during and in the wake of war."

All Too Familiar: Sexual Abuse of Women in US State Prisons

This report examines the sexual abuse of female prisoners largely at the hands of male correctional employees at eleven state prisons located in the north, south, east, and west of the United States.

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."

From Survivors to Defenders: Women Confronting Violence in Mexico, Honduras & Guatemala (pdf)

This report follows a 10-day delegation to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala led by Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum in January 2012. The fact-finding mission investigated the impact of the war on drugs and increased mining operations on the lives of women.

Gender Approaches in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations (pdf)

This manual aims to increase effectiveness of humanitarian and recovery interventions through integration of a gender perspective in conflict and post-conflict situations. It includes a chart to depict different levels of possible gender violence dimensions along the timeline of pre-conflict and post-conflict.

Gender-Based Violence Tools Manual: For Assessment & Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation in Conflict-Affected Settings

This report intends to improve international and local capacities when addressing gender-based violence in refugee, internally-displaced and conflict settings.

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

Guide to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (pdf)

"A guide to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child related to children in armed conflict. It describes the context surrounding its adoption, efforts supporting its objectives, key provisions and the legislative processes involved for signature and ratification or accession."

Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 2008 (pdf)

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.

Helping Children Cope with the Stresses of War: A Manual for Parents and Teachers (pdf)

"A tool for parents and teachers in helping children cope with the stresses of war and other forms of systematic violence. This book provides illustrative drawings by children portraying experiences of stress. Guidelines on handling problematic behaviors with which children of various ages respond to stress are also provided."

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

Iraq: Insecurity and Violence Against Women

"This document aims to raise awareness about some of the realities facing women in Iraq. The collection focuses more specifically on how current events in Iraq have uniquely impacted Iraqi women and have engendered various forms of violence against women."

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. "

Lives Blown Apart: Crimes Against Women in Times of Conflict (pdf)

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.

Making Civilian Oversight of Police Work for Victims of Violence Against Women and Children (pdf)

When police fail to respond properly to violence against women,what can women do to hold police formally accountable? Civilian Police Oversight Boards may be one answer. But it looks like we’re going to have to push them to do it.

Militarized Zones: Gender, Race, Immigration, Environment (pdf)

This document illustrates relationships between militarism, gender, race, immigration and environment separately and collectively.

More Than A Name: State Sponsored Homophobia and Its Consequences in Southern Africa (pdf)

This report evaluates the effects of State-sponsored homophobia on the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

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.

Police Family Violence Fact Sheet

"Highlights statistics of Police Officers' personal (not-job related) involvement in domestic violence situations. The fact sheet mentions several studies have found that 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence."

Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence at the International Criminal Court (pdf)

"The report assesses the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in reducing acts of sexual violence in armed conflict. The report explores whether the existence of the ICC acts as a deterrent for gender-based violence in conflict situations, and whether perpetrators of sexual violence can be brought to justice under provisions of the Rome Statute specifically addressing gender violence. The report also offers recommendations for improving the ICC’s ability to actually and symbolically reduce violence against women by characterizing gender-based violence in conflict situations as an international war crime."

Report on Violations of Women’s Human Rights in Columbia (pdf)

"This report documents the ways in which the long-standing conflict in Colombia combine with government actions to result in the violation of women’s human rights. In addition to the violations committed by guerrilla groups, the report indicates that the Colombian government has carried out extra-judicial executions, groundless detentions, threats, and torture. The government is also implicated in failing to implement strategies to reduce the effects of forced displacements. "

Routinely Targeted: Attacks on Civilians in Somalia

"The report documents sexual violence and killing of Somali civilians by Ethiopian troops, militias, and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces."

Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace, and Security (pdf)

This is the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 which confronts sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Recognized by this resolution is that the maintenance of international peace and security is not possible with the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict. With this resolution the SC is committed to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, punishing perpetrators, and requesting a report from the Secretary General on situations in which sexual violence is being widely or systematically employed against civilians and on strategies for ending the practice.
The link above is to the English version of the resolution. Over 100 other translations can be found here.

Sexual Violence and its Consequences among Displaced Persons in Darfur and Chad (pdf)

This briefing paper documents how the Sudanese security forces, including police deployed to protect displaced persons, and allied Janjaweed militias continue to commit rape and sexual violence on daily basis. Even as refugees in Chad, women and girls fleeing the violence in Darfur continued to face the risk of rape and assault by civilians or militia members when collecting water, fuel or animal fodder near the border.

So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)

A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.

Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada

This report examines the role of discrimination in acts of violence carried out against Indigenous women in Canadian towns and cities. This discrimination takes the form both of overt cultural prejudice and of implicit or systemic biases in the policies and actions of government officials and agencies, or of society as a whole. This discrimination has played out in policies and practices that have helped put Indigenous women in harm’s way and in the failure to provide Indigenous women the protection from violence that is every woman’s human right.
French and Spanish versions can be found here

The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur (pdf)

This report offers a glimpse into the ongoing violence against women in Darfur and includes statistics and short stories from survivors. It concludes by giving recommendations for stopping the rapes in Darfur and in the conflicts throughout the world.

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 Intersection of Domestic Violence and the Military: Working across disciplines

This VAWnet special collection examines co-occurring issues experienced by veterans -- including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) -- and provides information related to best practices when addressing these co-occurring issues through a multi-systems approach. Challenges experienced by female service members and veterans are explored through the lens of violence against women.

The Military Response to Victims of Domestic Violence: Tools for Civilian Advocates (pdf)

This handbook is designed for civilian advocates working with military victims of domestic violence—both active duty victims and partners of active duty service members—to help advocates respond to the uniquely challenging needs of this population of survivors.

The Misuse of Police Powers in Officer Involved Domestic Violence

This document outlines some of the basics of the police culture and police training in order to gain insight into the victim’s experience. Being “culturally sensitive” helps to place in context some of the types of abuse only batterers within law enforcement inflict, how these abusers minimize and justify their behavior, and their sense of entitlement to exercise power and control over their victims.

The War Within the War: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Eastern Congo

This report documents the frequent and sometimes systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the Rwandan-occupied areas of eastern Congo. This report focuses on crimes of sexual violence committed by soldiers and other combatants. But rape and other sexual crimes are not just carried out by armed factions but also increasingly by police and others in positions of authority and power, and by opportunistic common criminals and bandits, taking advantage of the prevailing climate of impunity and the culture of violence against women and girls.

Trapped by Inequality: Bhutanese Refugee Women in Nepal

Following investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers in refugee camps in West Africa, several cases of sexual exploitation involving refugee aid workers surfaced in Nepal in October 2002. This report highlights not only the hardship of life in refugee camps, but also the injustice of gender-based violence and discrimination for Bhutanese refugee women in Nepal.

Violence Against Women Living in Situations of Armed Conflict (pdf)

Report on a World Health Organization Workshop that addresses the importance of recognizing the extent and prevalence of violence against women living in situations of armed conflict and the urgent need to take action against it.

War Related Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone (pdf)

This study is one of the first to scientifically document the extent of sexual violence as a result of war. This population based assessment of war-related sexual violence and other human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, indicate that combatants have committed widespread human rights abuses and international crimes against internally displaced persons in Sierra Leone.

We'll Kill You If You Cry: Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone Conflict

The report presents evidence of horrific abuses against women and girls in every region of Sierra Leone by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF), as well as other rebel, government and international peacekeeping forces. The report is based on hundreds of interviews with victims, witnesses and officials, details crimes of sexual violence committed primarily by soldiers of various rebel forces —the RUF, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and the West Side Boys. The report also examines sexual violence by government forces and militias, as well as international peacekeepers.

Whose Safety? Women of Color and the Violence of Law Enforcement (pdf)

This comprehensive research report documents how women of color, both immigrant and U.S-born, face violence and the abuse of authority from law-enforcement agencies - from local police to the prison system to INS raids. Drawing on interviews with nearly 100 anti-violence activists as well as published sources, "Whose Safety?" outlines community interactions with enforcement agencies, the impact of enforcement violence on key areas of women's lives, and current anti-violence movements.

Women at the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Ecuador (pdf)

"The study looks at the differential impact of armed conflict on women and men. Women in Colombia represent more than half of the total displaced population and suffer the consequences of conflict to a higher degree putting them in a more vulnerable situation than men. This study analyzes the situation of women that are legally recognized as refugees as well as the experiences of women who have been pressured to migrate by army movements because of their country situation." This publication is printed in Spanish.

Women Building Peace and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected Contexts: A Review of Community-Based Approaches (pdf)

This study was developed to inform programming and advocacy within the context of UNIFEM programming, and builds on country-level visits conducted in early 2007. The study looks at five areas of intervention: peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives, reconciliation mechanisms, increasing access to justice, access to support services, and conflict monitoring systems. These sections examine the barriers women face and highlights examples of women’s successful engagement in peacebuilding at the community level.

Women, War and Peace: The Independent Experts' Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women's Role in Peace Building

This report covers many areas of concern, from the gendered dimensions of violence and displacement during conflict to the role of peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction. Key recommendations focus on finding ways to protect and empower women.

You Will Be Punished: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo

"This report, which is based on interviews with victims, witnesses and family members, details violations of international humanitarian law in Eastern Congo by military forces, including the deaths of more than 1,400 citizens in 2009. Nearly 7,500 cases of sexual violence against women and girls in eastern Congo were also recorded by the UN between January and September 2009."

Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence – An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice (pdf)

"This document captures best practices and emerging elements for a more effective response by peacekeepers to women’s security concerns and catalogues direct and indirect efforts to combat sexual violence during and in the wake of war."

Beyond Victimhood: Women's Peacebuilding in Sudan, Congo and Uganda (pdf)

"Crisis Group’s research in Sudan, Congo (DRC) and Uganda suggests that peace agreements, post-conflict reconstruction, and governance do better when women are involved. Women make a difference, in part because they adopt a more inclusive approach toward security and address key social and economic issues that would otherwise be ignored. But in all three countries, as different as each is, they remain marginalized in formal processes and under-represented in the security sector as a whole. They suggest that governments and the international community must do much more to support women peace activists."

Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes (pdf)

"This handbook offers, in a quick reference format, an overview of key considerations in the implementation of participatory responses to crime based on a restorative justice approach. Its focus is on a range of measures and programmes, inspired by restorative justice values, that are flexible in their adaptation to criminal justice systems and that complement them while taking into account varying legal, social and cultural circumstances. It was prepared for the use of criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations and community groups who are working together to improve current responses to crime and conflict in their community."
Also available in French

Helping Youth Resist Bias and Hate: Program Activity Guide, Middle School Edition (pdf)

This guide provides parents, educators, and other adults working with middle school aged children with tools and strategies to engage in constructive discussions and activities about the causes and effects of prejudice and bias-motivated behavior and to intervene, when needed, with youth who engage in such behavior.

Islamic marriage contracts: A resource guide for legal professionals, advocates, imams & communities (pdf)

This guide was developed as a resource for legal professionals and advocates working with Muslims, and for Muslim leaders and community members. This resource is meant to provide and clarify information about Islam and gender equality in marriage and divorce, to direct readers to the best practices that safeguard women's rights and interests, to promote well-being and balance for all parties, and to nurture communities. This resource highlights the legal issues that may arise, as well as the resources that are available to American Muslim women and their families under the auspices of American law.

Peacemaking

Basic information on the concept of peacemaking as it relates to interventions during armed combat. Examples and definitions provided.

Restorative Justice Action Plan for the Criminal Justice System (UK) (pdf)

Restorative justice (RJ) provides opportunities for victims to be heard and to have a say in the resolution of offences. Importantly, restorative justice also enables offenders to face the consequences of their actions and the impact that it has had upon others. This action plan is a joint commitment to develop a more strategic and coherent approach to the use of restorative justice in England and Wales. It sets out the steps that will be taken to achieve this aim. Steps include increasing access, awareness, capacity and evidence.

Streetworkers, Youth Violence Prevention, and Peacemaking in Lowell, Massachusetts: Lessons and Voices from the Community (pdf)

This paper documents the work of Street Outreach Workers (SWs) at United Teen Equality Center (UTEC). SWs seek out areas where violence occurs, intervene in fights and tamp down volatile situations. The authors describe UTEC’s training and management approach and explore how SWs affect youth violence in Lowell.

Two Useful Models for Implementing Restorative Justice

In studying conflict resolution, Ron Claassen was stimulated to search for a pictorial model to represent power, rights, and interests. What emerged was the Four Options Model. The Peacemaking Model is comprised of the basic elements that emerged among those who found constructive resolutions.

Why Invest in Violence Prevention? (pdf)

(2011) This document aims to make the case for increasing financial investment in the public health approach to the prevention of violence, and by doing so, to strengthen the effectiveness of prevention programming, with the ultimate goal of preventing new acts of violence and averting their consequences for individuals, families, communities and societies.

Widening the Circle: Can Peacemaking Work Outside Of Tribal Communities?

“Peacemaking” is a traditional Native-American approach to justice. This report begins by looking into the history of peacemaking as well as how it exists today in Native communities. The author then explains how it works and which elements might support restorative justice programming in non-Indian settings.

Women Building Peace and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected Contexts: A Review of Community-Based Approaches (pdf)

This study was developed to inform programming and advocacy within the context of UNIFEM programming, and builds on country-level visits conducted in early 2007. The study looks at five areas of intervention: peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives, reconciliation mechanisms, increasing access to justice, access to support services, and conflict monitoring systems. These sections examine the barriers women face and highlights examples of women’s successful engagement in peacebuilding at the community level.

Women, War and Peace: The Independent Experts' Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women's Role in Peace Building

This report covers many areas of concern, from the gendered dimensions of violence and displacement during conflict to the role of peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction. Key recommendations focus on finding ways to protect and empower women.

An Islamic Perspective on Violence Against Women

This is a statement describing how those who perpetrate violence against women are not following the true tenants of the Quran.

An unwanted truth? Focusing the G8: Shining a spotlight on sexual violence against children in conflict

This report focuses on the realities and prevalence of sexual violence committed against children in conflict. It urges action to recognize and address this issue by global leaders.

European Parliament Report on Female Genital Mutilation in the European Union (pdf)

"This new report found that over 500,000 women in Europe, especially refugees and immigrants, have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). The report highlights various reasons for the prevalence of FGM and incorporates different frameworks for addressing the problem, including the human rights perspective, a women’s rights view, and children’s rights."

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."

Gender Based Violence: Emerging Issues in Programs Serving Displaced Populations (pdf)

This report provides background and current information about gender-based violence programming with populations affected by armed conflict. It gives concrete advice and examples of programming addressing gender-based violence, and lists valuable resources for further information.

Gender-Based Violence Tools Manual: For Assessment & Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation in Conflict-Affected Settings

This report intends to improve international and local capacities when addressing gender-based violence in refugee, internally-displaced and conflict settings.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

Immigrant and Refugee Power and Control Wheel

Throughout the world, women are victims of domestic violence just as there are battered women in the United States. Immigrant and refugee women know that in their countries of origin, women have been tortured with sexual abuse by the army/rebels, kidnapped into prostitution, forced into marriages, killed in honor killings, used for sexual slavery, stoned to death and often experience other gender related abuses. This Immigrant and Refugee Power and Control Wheel is an adaptation of the Duluth Power and Conrol wheel created by attendees Immigrant & Refugee Women Support Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Iraq: Insecurity and Violence Against Women

"This document aims to raise awareness about some of the realities facing women in Iraq. The collection focuses more specifically on how current events in Iraq have uniquely impacted Iraqi women and have engendered various forms of violence against women."

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. "

Lives Blown Apart: Crimes Against Women in Times of Conflict (pdf)

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.

Militarized Zones: Gender, Race, Immigration, Environment (pdf)

This document illustrates relationships between militarism, gender, race, immigration and environment separately and collectively.

More Than A Name: State Sponsored Homophobia and Its Consequences in Southern Africa (pdf)

This report evaluates the effects of State-sponsored homophobia on the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Report on the Taliban's War Against Women

Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.

Report on Violations of Women’s Human Rights in Columbia (pdf)

"This report documents the ways in which the long-standing conflict in Colombia combine with government actions to result in the violation of women’s human rights. In addition to the violations committed by guerrilla groups, the report indicates that the Colombian government has carried out extra-judicial executions, groundless detentions, threats, and torture. The government is also implicated in failing to implement strategies to reduce the effects of forced displacements. "

Routinely Targeted: Attacks on Civilians in Somalia

"The report documents sexual violence and killing of Somali civilians by Ethiopian troops, militias, and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces."

Sexual Orientation and Human Rights in the Americas (pdf)

This document highlights the human rights violations (institutional and individual) of sexual minorities in the Americas.

Sexual Violence and its Consequences among Displaced Persons in Darfur and Chad (pdf)

This briefing paper documents how the Sudanese security forces, including police deployed to protect displaced persons, and allied Janjaweed militias continue to commit rape and sexual violence on daily basis. Even as refugees in Chad, women and girls fleeing the violence in Darfur continued to face the risk of rape and assault by civilians or militia members when collecting water, fuel or animal fodder near the border.

So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)

A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.

The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur (pdf)

This report offers a glimpse into the ongoing violence against women in Darfur and includes statistics and short stories from survivors. It concludes by giving recommendations for stopping the rapes in Darfur and in the conflicts throughout the world.

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 Invisible Exodus: North Koreans in the People's Republic of China.

This report presents a comprehensive overview of this human rights disaster, grounded in first-hand accounts of North Koreans who escaped to the South, and humanitarian workers who aided them and many less fortunate. It examines the complex and harrowing decision of migrants to leave, an illegal act often deemed tantamount to treason; the months and even years of hiding in China; the desperate circumstances that lead women to sell themselves as sexual companions; and the vulnerability these migrants have that open them to every and any abuse.

We'll Kill You If You Cry: Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone Conflict

The report presents evidence of horrific abuses against women and girls in every region of Sierra Leone by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF), as well as other rebel, government and international peacekeeping forces. The report is based on hundreds of interviews with victims, witnesses and officials, details crimes of sexual violence committed primarily by soldiers of various rebel forces —the RUF, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and the West Side Boys. The report also examines sexual violence by government forces and militias, as well as international peacekeepers.

Whose Safety? Women of Color and the Violence of Law Enforcement (pdf)

This comprehensive research report documents how women of color, both immigrant and U.S-born, face violence and the abuse of authority from law-enforcement agencies - from local police to the prison system to INS raids. Drawing on interviews with nearly 100 anti-violence activists as well as published sources, "Whose Safety?" outlines community interactions with enforcement agencies, the impact of enforcement violence on key areas of women's lives, and current anti-violence movements.

Women at the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Ecuador (pdf)

"The study looks at the differential impact of armed conflict on women and men. Women in Colombia represent more than half of the total displaced population and suffer the consequences of conflict to a higher degree putting them in a more vulnerable situation than men. This study analyzes the situation of women that are legally recognized as refugees as well as the experiences of women who have been pressured to migrate by army movements because of their country situation." This publication is printed in Spanish.

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, War and Peace: The Independent Experts' Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women's Role in Peace Building

This report covers many areas of concern, from the gendered dimensions of violence and displacement during conflict to the role of peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction. Key recommendations focus on finding ways to protect and empower women.

American Indians and Crime: A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992-2002 (pdf)

"A summary of data on American Indians in the criminal justice system and reports the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians. This report updates a previous BJS report, American Indians and Crime, published in 1999. The findings include the involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence against Indians. The report describes victim-offender relationships, the race of those involved in violence against Indians, and the rate of reporting to police by victims. It discusses the rates of arrest, suspect investigations and charges filed, and incarceration of Indians for violent crimes."

Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Victims of Crime (pdf)

"This report focuses on the victimization experiences of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. It examines nonfatal and fatal violent victimization and property victimization. It also includes comparisons between the victimization of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders and other racial or ethnic groups, as well as information on victimization trends."

Bibliography of Sexual and Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community (pdf)

"In addition to providing a list of organizations working on this issue, this bibliography lists the following types of resources: Periodicals; Books; Journal Articles; Newspaper Articles; Newsletter Articles; and Directories."

Gender Approaches in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations (pdf)

This manual aims to increase effectiveness of humanitarian and recovery interventions through integration of a gender perspective in conflict and post-conflict situations. It includes a chart to depict different levels of possible gender violence dimensions along the timeline of pre-conflict and post-conflict.

Gender Oppression, Abuse and Violence: Community Accountability within the People of Color Progressive Movement (pdf)

This report is generated from a two-day meeting held in Seattle February 7 – 8, 2004 by an ad-hoc INCITE! Community Accountability in Organizations Working Group. This group specifically gathered to address gender oppression including patriarchical political and work environments, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assault committed against women/girls/women-identified persons of color within progressive, radical and revolutionary people of color organizations and movement.

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

Honor Killings: An Islamic Perspective

Discussion of honor killings how the prevailing view that devalues and belittles women is derived from sociocultural factors that are justified by a distorted and erroneous interpretation of religion, especially of Islam.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

Militarized Zones: Gender, Race, Immigration, Environment (pdf)

This document illustrates relationships between militarism, gender, race, immigration and environment separately and collectively.

Pakistan: Honor Killings of Girls and Women

January 1999. First Amnesty International report ever to focus on human rights violations not committed by government agents. Reveals that hundreds of women in Pakistan are murdered each year in the name of "honor." Offers recommendations for discouraging "honor killings."

Report on the Taliban's War Against Women

Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.

Routinely Targeted: Attacks on Civilians in Somalia

"The report documents sexual violence and killing of Somali civilians by Ethiopian troops, militias, and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces."

So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)

A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.

The Impact of Hate Violence on Victims: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Attacks

From Social Work, May 1994, pp. 247-251, posted by the National Asssociation of Social Workers. This study explored the nature of hate attacks and victims' responses to them. The sample consisted of 59 victims and included black, white, and Southeast Asian people. Data were obtained through focus group meetings, individual interviews, and questionnaires. More than half of the victims reported experiencing a series of attacks rather than a single attack. Anger, fear, and sadness were the emotional responses most frequently reported by victims. About one-third of the victims reported behavioral responses such as moving from the neighborhood or purchasing a gun. The responses of hate violence victims were similar to those of victims of other types of personal crime. Implications for social work intervention are discussed.

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."

War Related Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone (pdf)

This study is one of the first to scientifically document the extent of sexual violence as a result of war. This population based assessment of war-related sexual violence and other human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, indicate that combatants have committed widespread human rights abuses and international crimes against internally displaced persons in Sierra Leone.

Whose Safety? Women of Color and the Violence of Law Enforcement (pdf)

This comprehensive research report documents how women of color, both immigrant and U.S-born, face violence and the abuse of authority from law-enforcement agencies - from local police to the prison system to INS raids. Drawing on interviews with nearly 100 anti-violence activists as well as published sources, "Whose Safety?" outlines community interactions with enforcement agencies, the impact of enforcement violence on key areas of women's lives, and current anti-violence movements.

Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers

The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.

Honor Killings: An Islamic Perspective

Discussion of honor killings how the prevailing view that devalues and belittles women is derived from sociocultural factors that are justified by a distorted and erroneous interpretation of religion, especially of Islam.

Human Rights Dialogue: Violence Against Women (pdf)

This special edition of the magazine explores how women's advocates are challenging the public/private divide, the cultural and religious objections to granting women's rights, and the common blindness to linkages between violence against women and the deprivation of other rights, specifically economic and social rights.

Pakistan: Honor Killings of Girls and Women

January 1999. First Amnesty International report ever to focus on human rights violations not committed by government agents. Reveals that hundreds of women in Pakistan are murdered each year in the name of "honor." Offers recommendations for discouraging "honor killings."

Report on the Taliban's War Against Women

Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.

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."

Dangerous Liaisons?: A Feminist and Restorative Approach to Sexual Assault

This paper will focus on the appropriateness of restorative justice (RJ) measures in addressing sexual assault. Being part of both the feminist movement and RJ movement, the authors approach the issue from both of these perspectives.

Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes (pdf)

"This handbook offers, in a quick reference format, an overview of key considerations in the implementation of participatory responses to crime based on a restorative justice approach. Its focus is on a range of measures and programmes, inspired by restorative justice values, that are flexible in their adaptation to criminal justice systems and that complement them while taking into account varying legal, social and cultural circumstances. It was prepared for the use of criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations and community groups who are working together to improve current responses to crime and conflict in their community."
Also available in French

Justifying Restorative Justice: A Theoretical Justification for the Use of Restorative Justice Practices (pdf)

"This article analyzes the philosophical premises of the two main theories of punishment that influence sentencing in most Western countries—retributivism and utilitarianism—and compares them to the basic values and practices of restorative justice. The article argues that if justice is given a deeper meaning and punishment is viewed more broadly, restorative justice practices do not contradict the basic principles upon which the current criminal justice system is based. Rather, restorative justice can be included in the criminal justice system to not only uphold the theories of that system, but also to help amend some of its deficiencies and further its goals."

Restorative Justice Action Plan for the Criminal Justice System (UK) (pdf)

Restorative justice (RJ) provides opportunities for victims to be heard and to have a say in the resolution of offences. Importantly, restorative justice also enables offenders to face the consequences of their actions and the impact that it has had upon others. This action plan is a joint commitment to develop a more strategic and coherent approach to the use of restorative justice in England and Wales. It sets out the steps that will be taken to achieve this aim. Steps include increasing access, awareness, capacity and evidence.

The Public Wants to Be Involved: A Roundtable Conversation About Community and Restorative Justice (pdf)

The Roundtable convened for this report represented a range of local, state, and federal initiatives involved in restorative justice, including community courts, community justice panels, community prosecution and holistic defense programs, and the federally-supported Drug-Free Communities program. During the course of the day-long conversation, the 20 participants described their involvement in community justice, including their goals, how they define “community,” how they promote restorative practices and engage communities, and the obstacles they've overcome. This paper summarizes their discussion.

Two Useful Models for Implementing Restorative Justice

In studying conflict resolution, Ron Claassen was stimulated to search for a pictorial model to represent power, rights, and interests. What emerged was the Four Options Model. The Peacemaking Model is comprised of the basic elements that emerged among those who found constructive resolutions.

Combating Acid Violence in Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia (pdf)

Acid violence is the “intentional act of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour acid onto victims' faces and bodies.” The report finds that acid violence is a form of gender-based violence because it disproportionately affects women, which is prohibited by the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are all parties to CEDAW and are under a legal obligation to undertake measures to prevent acid violence.
The report calls for the governments of Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia to fulfill their obligation to CEDAW in a number of ways. This includes the adoption of legislation to prevent attacks, provide punishment of perpetrators, and compensate victims. In all three countries, survivors face immense challenges in obtaining adequate healthcare.

Detained and at Risk: Sexual Abuse and Harassment in United States Immigration Detention (pdf)

This 24-page report describes documented incidents and allegations of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. The report shows evidence of a disturbing pattern of abuse, and points to an urgent need for investigation and action to correct glaring gaps in detention policy and practice. Human Rights Watch emphasizes that the agency should make improvements swiftly to improve oversight of the entire detention system and the ensure accountability.

Ending Violence Against Women: From Words to Action (pdf)

Violence against women is a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights. The continued prevalence of violence against women is testimony to the fact that States have yet to tackle it with the necessary political commitment, visibility and resources. This study identifies ways to close the gap between States’ obligations under international norms, standards and policies and their inadequate and inconsistent implementation at the national level. It calls for efforts to eradicate violence against women to become a higher priority at the local, national and international level.
(2006 Publication)

Gender Approaches in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations (pdf)

This manual aims to increase effectiveness of humanitarian and recovery interventions through integration of a gender perspective in conflict and post-conflict situations. It includes a chart to depict different levels of possible gender violence dimensions along the timeline of pre-conflict and post-conflict.

Gender-Based Violence Tools Manual: For Assessment & Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation in Conflict-Affected Settings

This report intends to improve international and local capacities when addressing gender-based violence in refugee, internally-displaced and conflict settings.

Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV- affected Communities in the United States in 2011 (pdf)

NCAVP’s annual report documenting hate violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIVaffected (LGBTQH) communities provides the most comprehensive national data to support LGBTQH antiviolence efforts across the nation. The findings in the report continue to shed light on the importance of prevention, strategic response, research, and accurate reporting of hate violence as it affects LGBTQH communities.

Helping Children Cope with the Stresses of War: A Manual for Parents and Teachers (pdf)

"A tool for parents and teachers in helping children cope with the stresses of war and other forms of systematic violence. This book provides illustrative drawings by children portraying experiences of stress. Guidelines on handling problematic behaviors with which children of various ages respond to stress are also provided."

International Expert Group Meeting on Combating Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls (pdf)

In January 2012 the United Nations             Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held an International Expert Group Meeting at UN Headquarters entitled “Combating violence against indigenous women and girls: Article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” This conference applied a human rights framework to the issue of gender‐based violence faced by indigenous women, while contextualizing its global manifestations in the context of States’ responsibilities under international human rights law. This document outlines the themes of the meeting and recalls the conversations that were had. It also includes interviews with indigenous rights activists.  

Just Die Quietly: Domestic Violence and Women's Vulnerability to HIV in Uganda (pdf)

The accounts in this report reveal that Ugandan women are becoming infected with HIV, and will eventually die of AIDS, because the state is failing to protect them from domestic violence. The report informs us that HIV/AIDS programs focusing on fidelity, abstinence, and condom use do not account for the ways in which domestic violence inhibits women's control over sexual matters in marriage. The report urges the Ugandan government to enact domestic violence legislation, and to make women's health, physical integrity, and equal rights in marriage a central focus of AIDS programming.

Lives Blown Apart: Crimes Against Women in Times of Conflict (pdf)

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.

More Than A Name: State Sponsored Homophobia and Its Consequences in Southern Africa (pdf)

This report evaluates the effects of State-sponsored homophobia on the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Progress of the World's Women 2000

UNIFEM's first issue in the biennial investigation of progress made towards a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality. Topics covered include women's economic security and rights, engendering governance and leadership and promoting women's human rights.

Progress of the World's Women 2002, Volume 2: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals

This is the second edition of a biennial publication to track and measure the world's commitment to gender equality. It examines progress for women, or the lack of it, in education, literacy, non-agricultural wage employment and parliamentary representation.

Report on the Taliban's War Against Women

Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.

Santa Clara County Violence Profile 2012 (pdf)

The data in this report provide a snapshot of violence in Santa Clara County that will help inform how and where to concentrate local public health efforts to prevent violence from occurring in the first place. Topic areas include adult and youth violence, intimate partner violence, youth safety, youth risk factors, youth protective factors, child maltreatment, and elder/dependent adult maltreatment.

Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace, and Security (pdf)

This is the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 which confronts sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Recognized by this resolution is that the maintenance of international peace and security is not possible with the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict. With this resolution the SC is committed to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, punishing perpetrators, and requesting a report from the Secretary General on situations in which sexual violence is being widely or systematically employed against civilians and on strategies for ending the practice.
The link above is to the English version of the resolution. Over 100 other translations can be found here.

Sexual Orientation and Human Rights in the Americas (pdf)

This document highlights the human rights violations (institutional and individual) of sexual minorities in the Americas.

Sexual Victimization in Indian Country: Barriers and Resources for Native Women Seeking Help

This paper summarizes the barriers facing and resources available to American Indian victims of sexual victimization, with a focus on systemic barriers found in the organizations and communities most likely to serve native women. Additionally, the paper reviews how an understanding of these issues can enhance services and help eliminate violence against future generations of American Indian women.

Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada

This report examines the role of discrimination in acts of violence carried out against Indigenous women in Canadian towns and cities. This discrimination takes the form both of overt cultural prejudice and of implicit or systemic biases in the policies and actions of government officials and agencies, or of society as a whole. This discrimination has played out in policies and practices that have helped put Indigenous women in harm’s way and in the failure to provide Indigenous women the protection from violence that is every woman’s human right.
French and Spanish versions can be found here

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 War Within the War: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Eastern Congo

This report documents the frequent and sometimes systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the Rwandan-occupied areas of eastern Congo. This report focuses on crimes of sexual violence committed by soldiers and other combatants. But rape and other sexual crimes are not just carried out by armed factions but also increasingly by police and others in positions of authority and power, and by opportunistic common criminals and bandits, taking advantage of the prevailing climate of impunity and the culture of violence against women and girls.

Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (pdf)

"The 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report outlines the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the United States. This year’s report highlights several key trends, including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the challenges and successes in identifying and protecting victims, and the need to include anti-trafficking policies in our response to natural disasters."

Trapped by Inequality: Bhutanese Refugee Women in Nepal

Following investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers in refugee camps in West Africa, several cases of sexual exploitation involving refugee aid workers surfaced in Nepal in October 2002. This report highlights not only the hardship of life in refugee camps, but also the injustice of gender-based violence and discrimination for Bhutanese refugee women in Nepal.

We'll Kill You If You Cry: Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone Conflict

The report presents evidence of horrific abuses against women and girls in every region of Sierra Leone by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF), as well as other rebel, government and international peacekeeping forces. The report is based on hundreds of interviews with victims, witnesses and officials, details crimes of sexual violence committed primarily by soldiers of various rebel forces —the RUF, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and the West Side Boys. The report also examines sexual violence by government forces and militias, as well as international peacekeepers.

Whose Safety? Women of Color and the Violence of Law Enforcement (pdf)

This comprehensive research report documents how women of color, both immigrant and U.S-born, face violence and the abuse of authority from law-enforcement agencies - from local police to the prison system to INS raids. Drawing on interviews with nearly 100 anti-violence activists as well as published sources, "Whose Safety?" outlines community interactions with enforcement agencies, the impact of enforcement violence on key areas of women's lives, and current anti-violence movements.

Women at the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Ecuador (pdf)

"The study looks at the differential impact of armed conflict on women and men. Women in Colombia represent more than half of the total displaced population and suffer the consequences of conflict to a higher degree putting them in a more vulnerable situation than men. This study analyzes the situation of women that are legally recognized as refugees as well as the experiences of women who have been pressured to migrate by army movements because of their country situation." This publication is printed in Spanish.

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 in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

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.

Women, War and Peace: The Independent Experts' Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Women's Role in Peace Building

This report covers many areas of concern, from the gendered dimensions of violence and displacement during conflict to the role of peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction. Key recommendations focus on finding ways to protect and empower women.

World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development

This report details types of disparities and practical solutions for all countries facing gender inequality. The main messages of this report focus around how gender equality affects development, how global development has closed some gender gaps while others persist, understanding progress and persistence, priorities for domestic policy action, and the role of the international community.
Whole report available as a pdf, or see the website to download individual chapters.

Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)

"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."

Militarized Zones: Gender, Race, Immigration, Environment (pdf)

This document illustrates relationships between militarism, gender, race, immigration and environment separately and collectively.

So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)

A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.