Victim Advocate Guide: Intimate Partner Violence and Combat Experience (pdf)
This resource provides guidance on how to assess and respond to the heightened risk of severe violence, suicide, and homicide linked to the co-occurrence of combat trauma and Intimate Partner Violence.
Additional Scripts for Clinic Assessment (pdf)
This document is created for healthcare professionals and provides a series of scripted questions and responses when working with victims of violence. The information is intended to help communicate all the information needed to give to a patient as well as responding to immediate safety issues and making referrals.
Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)
This report, grounded in UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls, identifies particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence.
A paper on the impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and exposure to family violence on the sexual, reproductive, and parenting behaviors of young men.
Current Trends in Psychological Assessment and Treatment Approaches for Survivors of Sexual Trauma (pdf)
This document provides a review and critique of current trends in mental health assessment and treatment for sexual trauma survivors with an emphasis on early intervention. Treatment approaches are restricted to psychotherapy.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH? (Spanish) (pdf)
A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.
Domestic Violence Against Women in Albania (pdf)
"This qualitative report examines the prevalence of domestic violence in Albania, including forms of domestic violence and complicating factors."
Eliminating Violence against Children (pdf)
"Jointly produced by UNICEF and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this handbook describes measures parliamentarians can take to end violence against children: they can legislate, oversee government activities, allocate financial resources and, as leaders in their nations and communities, raise awareness of issues."
EVALUATING CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTERS’ RESPONSE TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE (pdf)
"With funding from OJJDP, researchers have now completed a four-site evaluation of CACs that, for the first time, contrasts them with comparison communities that did not have a CAC. This Bulletin presents an overview of the results. It examines how CACs affect forensic interviewing, child victim disclosures about abuse, children’s receipt of medical exams and mental health services, prosecution and conviction of offenders, removal of children from their homes, and family satisfaction with child abuse investigations."
Final Report: Sexual Assault Among Latinas (SALAS) Study (pdf)
A national study focusing on Latino women’s victimization involving sexual assault. The report highlights victimization experiences, help-seeking efforts, and cultural factors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Guidelines for Medico-Legal Care for Victim of Sexual Violence (pdf)
These guidelines are designed for healthcare workers to provide comprehensive care for medical, psychological and forensic needs of survivors of sexual assault. The guidelines are currently being pilot tested in various countries.
Healthy sexuality: A guide for advocates, counselors and prevention educators (pdf)
This guide provides guidance and practical tools for discussing healthy sexuality within the context of sexual violence for advocates, counselors, prevention educators, and activists. It explores healthy sexuality across the life span and connects this information with a primary prevention tools for local sexual violence programs.
How To Integrate Assessment for Violence and Reproductive Coercion Into Clinical Practice (pdf)
A resource for healthcare providers which outlines points to train staff working with victims of violence and reproductive coercion.
This report aims to bring attention to medical, psychosocial and socio-economic consequences of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report is based on medical data and testimonies collected in MSF's work in Eastern DRC.
The purpose of this report is to capture and publish information from an exhaustive needs assessment process conducted over a period of nine months. In Their Own Words is the work of over 200 courageous women and men in the State of Maine who have dared to hope that the truth and wisdom of their experience will be heard by those in power, and that Maine’s mental health and human service systems will respond to the long ignored plight of children and adults traumatized by histories of interpersonal violence.
Intimate or Childhood Sexual Abuse and Obesity in Kentucky
This study concluded that sexual abuse, whether experienced as an adult or child, was associated with a 32% increase in obesity among 4,391 women in Kentucky. The study also found that intimate partner violence and obesity are common health threats for women. The authors suggest that efforts to prevent physical and sexual abuse and mental health consequences of abuse on victims can have implications to improve women's health.
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. "
Mental Health Consequences of Sexual Violence in Detention (pdf)
"This two page fact sheet talks about the devastating consequences of sexual violence in detention and the extreme challenges that survivors may face."
Mental Health Services for Rape Survivors: Current Issues in Therapeutic Practice
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document reviews three critical issues for mental health practitioners working with rape survivors. First, current research suggests that victims experience a variety of negative mental health effects from sexual assault, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress symptoms. Second, empirical evaluations of therapeutic techniques suggest that cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can be effective in reducing short-term post-rape fear and anxiety symptoms. Finally, it is not uncommon that mental health practitioners who work with rape survivors experience distressing emotions similar to those of the survivors. Self care strategies are particularly important for therapists engaged in this kind of work.
Mothers of Sexually Abused Children: Trauma and Repair in Longitudinal Perspective
This study addressed the increase in maternal psychological stress that develops following the disclosure of their child's sexual abuse. A mother's stress is often correlated and associated with the child's coping skills and level of stress, thus it is extremely important to work with mother on relieving/alleviating their stress so as to in turn work the child at healing from their sexual trauma.
National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Report (pdf)
"This report discusses the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission's nine findings on sexual abuse in correctional facilities as well as policies and practices that must be mandatory in remedying these problems; recommendations address what leaders in government outside the corrections profession can do to support solutions."
On the Road to Equality: Statewide Findings & Policy Recommendations (pdf)
"A supplement to the Status of Girls in Minnesota report by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota in partnership with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Focus groups were conducted in 18 Minnesota communities that included African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), and disabilities communities — to share key research findings and gain community input. This report captures the voices and policy recommendations of these communities, nonprofit and public leaders."
Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students --- United States, 2003
This article in brief addresses the incidence of physical dating violence among high school adolescents and introduces risk as well as protective factors.
Programming to Address Violence against Women (pdf)
"This is the second volume in a series that focuses on prevention and response tools for violence against women. The publication features eight case studies that highlight initiatives that have proven successful in combating violence against women: Algeria, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The UNFPA hopes to support current efforts in the eight case study countries and encourage other countries to take steps toward ending violence against women."
Prostitution is Sexual Violence
The article addresses the incorrect presumptions that prostitution is a for of work and not a form violence. The author uses research and personal interviews to argue that prostitution is a serious form of sexual violence with serious mental and physical consequences, much like all other forms of sexual violence. She also addresses the realtionship between prostitution and trafficking.
Prostitution, Violence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
"In this paper, the authors discuss a study of the violence experienced by people working as prostitutes in a city in the USA., and some of the consequent harm to physical and emotional health."
Reproductive Justice & Violence Against Women: Understanding the Intersections
"The purpose of this special collection is to provide resources and an introduction to reproductive justice, focusing particularly on the connections between the elimination of reproductive oppression and domestic and sexual violence."
Researcher Trauma, Safety and Sexual Violence (pdf)
"This briefing paper provides a thematic analysis of of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum discussion related to researchers experiencing trauma while undertaking sexual violence research. Strategies and resources for dealing with trauma are discussed."
Sex trading and psychological distress among women recruited from the streets of Harlem
"This study examines the relationship between sex trading and psychological distress and the implications of that relationship for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus among a sample of young women recruited from the streets of Harlem."
Sexual Assault and the Body (pdf)
This article explores the multifaceted effects of sexual assault on the victim’s body through articles on such diverse topics as negative self image, impaired sexual function, compulsive weightlifting and dental fear.
Shattered Hearts: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of American Indian Women and Girls in Minnesota (pdf)
A groundbreaking report released by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) highlights the alarming and pervasive sex trafficking of American Indian women and girls in Minnesota. The first comprehensive report of its kind, it highlights risk factors for victims that include poverty, a disproportionate number of American Indian homeless, high incidences of overall sexual assault, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and pervasive multi-generational trauma.
Shattered Lives: Immediate medical care for victims of sexual violence (pdf)
A recently released report depicting the experiences of victims of sexual violence, as well as those who provide immediate care to victims. The report focuses on the individual stories of those who have been sexually assaulted, and those who provide medical, counseling, and other types of support services to victims. Through these stories,the organization hopes to convey the importance of making emergency medical and other services immediately and readily accessible to victims.
Sisters Speak Out: The Lives and Needs of Prostituted Women in Chicago (pdf)
This report provides information from interviews with 222 women in prostitution in the Chicago metropolitan area, reflecting their experiences with violence from customers, managers, pimps, and police, substance abuse, homelessness, and physical and mental health problems. The women were located and interviewed by prostitution survivors familiar with the prostitution industry.
"This 2008 report provides detailed information on the status of girls in Minnesota. It also serves as a tool for advocates, researchers, and policy makers in developing a set of interventions that will ensure girls’ economic, social, and political equality in the state. "
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new toolkit which is designed to help continue the survival of Grassroots Community-Based organizations concerned about continuing critical services for people affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders.
This report examines the links between eating disorders and violence against women and girls. It is based on information gathered from published literature as well as consultations with community workers, health practitioners, and mental health professionals. “Swallowing the Hurt” has been designed for use by frontline workers, health care and social service professionals, educators, and researchers who offer services directly for or who may interact with women and girls experiencing eating disorders or violence.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs
This VAWnet document provides a brief summary of the structure and functions of SANE programs as they currently exist in the United States and presents the current research on the effectiveness of SANE programs in three areas: 1) providing care in an empowering setting that addresses survivors’ emotional and medical needs 2) improving the quality of forensic evidence collection relative to the methods traditionally used in hospital emergency departments 3) increasing prosecution rates in their community, due to the meticulous documenting of injuries and physical evidence.
The 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 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 prevalence of child abuse and neglect
"A resource sheet that summarizes the current knowledge about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in Australia. It provides an overview of Australian studies that have estimated the prevalence of the different forms of child maltreatment."
The Unclaimed Children Revisited, California Case Study (pdf)
"The purpose of the California Case Study is to identify, document, and analyze effective fiscal, infrastructural, and related policies that support research-informed practices for mental health services to children and adolescents in California."
Violence Against Women: Classic Papers
The purpose of this project was to assemble some of the classic works in the field of violence against women so that new generations of students, practitioners, and researchers would have a collective understanding of the work that has shaped the field. Included are commentaries from the original authors, when available, reflecting on why they authored the work when they did and the influence of their work on the field.
Workers in the Shadows: Abuse and Exploitation of Child Domestic Workers in Indonesia (pdf)
"This report documents how hundreds of thousands of girls in Indonesia, some as young as 11, are employed as domestic workers in other people’s households, performing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and child care. Most girls interviewed for the report worked 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with no day off. Almost all are grossly underpaid, and some get no salary at all. In the worst cases, girls reported being physically, psychologically, and sexually abused."
World Report on Violence against Children
"This book addresses all violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. It lists the relevant international and national legal instruments and standards. It also describes the nature and impact of all forms of violence, indicating possible risk and causal factors. Finally, and most important, based on existing evidence and concrete examples, it provides detailed recommendation on measures to be taken to enhance the protection of children from violence."