How Participatory Community Based Approaches and Technology Can Help to Improve Sexual Violence Responses

Almost 1/3 women throughout the world will experience physical and/or sexual violenceSexual violence is a global health issue of epidemic proportions, which requires urgent action. Latest data reveals that almost 1/3 women throughout the world will experience physical and/or sexual violence, and this is as we know is a number that can be even more amplified in low income countries or situations of conflict [1]. The myriad of health outcomes prevailing from sexual violence can be both fatal and non-fatal, including an increased risk of HIV and other STI’s, injury, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and a range of mental health illnesses (PTSD, anxiety etc.) [2]. In fact the epidemic proportion of sexual violence leads it to be one of the leading global causes for years of life lost or disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to illness accounting for 9.5 DALYs total [3]. This is ahead of cancer and obstructed labor and almost on par with maternal sepsis and cardiovascular disease.

To respond effectively to sexual violence and decrease its burden, a rapid access to comprehensive services must be ensured. Yet even in places where services may be offered there seems to be many challenges to their uptake. So how can we improve this ensuring that women receive the care they need? Latest studies focusing on low income countries have shown how implementing participatory community driven responses can really help to decrease many of the access barriers to sexual violence services ensuring that services are uptaken and consequent health burden is reduced, with impressive impact. Implementing participatory community driven responses can really help to decrease many of the access barriers to sexual violence servicesThis has shown to be up to as much as a 39% reduction in relative risk of past year sexual violence, positive responses from service users and in addition to a decrease in the psychological symptoms of survivors (namely PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms). Similarly such interventions which have offered comprehensive multi-partner responses to sexual violence in the same centre have proven to offer a far better response, especially in low resource settings.

Perhaps what is most inspiring about some of these studies is the increasing use of technology (mobile phones, mapping etc) in sexual violence responses, and the improved impact this has for service provision. Such platforms have offered better advocacy, improved service provision and have a role in changing health seeking behavior. Whilst much of this work is pioneering, the role of technology is raising more and more interest, and with stakeholders such as Microsoft and the UN funding research it looks that technology will play an increasingly instrumental role in sexual violence responses.

Case Study: Innovative Community-Based Approaches to Addressing Access to Sexual Violence