Search

Begin New Search Topic Developing World Publishing Institution The Sexual Violence Research Initiative

1. Preventing child abuse and interpersonal violence in low- and middle-income countries

Author:
Wendy Knerr, Frances Gardner, and Lucie Cluver
Publication Date:
12-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Abstract:
Estimates suggest that up to 40 million children under age 14 experience abuse or neglect each year around the world. In a study of 12,000 mothers in five developing countries, asmany as half reported hitting a child with an object, spanking, slapping, pinching, shaking or otherwise harshly physically disciplining. In South Africa, there is evidence that “violence against children is ubiquitous. Beatings take place daily or every week. Sticks, belts, or other weapons are used and injury is common.” These figures are likely to be gross underestimates of the reality.
Topic:
Health, Human Rights, Poverty, and Developing World
Political Geography:
South Africa

2. Sexual Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Desk Review

Author:
Juan Manuel Contreras, Sarah Bott, Elizabeth Dartnall, and Alessandra Guedes
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Abstract:
The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work” (Jewkes et al., 2002). A limited but growing body of evidence suggests that sexual violence is a serious problem throughout Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) – both as a public health problem and a violation of human rights. This document reviews what is known about sexual violence in the LAC region. It aims to explore the magnitude, patterns and risk factors associated with sexual violence, as well as the legal and policy frameworks, women's responses to sexual violence, access to services and service responses, promising interventions, research gaps and priorities for future research. Over two hundred published and unpublished documents were reviewed to prepare this document. Grey literature was identified through internet-based searches and from experts working in the region. The scope of this review is primarily based on research produced between 2000 and the present. While an effort has been made to cover the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, research is not available for all countries in the region. As such, this document should be considered the first phase in an ongoing process of consolidating the existing evidence and identifying research gaps and priorities for this culturally, racially and geographically diverse region.
Topic:
Health, Human Rights, Human Welfare, and Developing World
Political Geography:
Latin America and Caribbean