Sexual violence is a violation of human rights and a serious public health problem. It has a profound impact on physical and mental health, both immediately and many years after the assault. To date, sexual violence has received insufficient attention from researchers, policy-makers and programme designers and it has been a long struggle to have it recognised as a legitimate public health issue.

The SVRI is an important contribution to eliminating sexual violence by simultaneously addressing the lack of research on the different aspects of sexual violence as well as drawing attention of a wide range of people including policy makers and the media, to this important public health issue. 

We are building an experienced and committed network of researchers, policy makers, activists and donors who would ensure that the many dimension of sexual violence are addressed from the perspective different disciplines and with a multi-cultural outlook.  Please join our list-serv or contribute to our online discussion.

Sexual Violence Research Initiative Annual Report 2007 (pdf format, 1503 kb)

Research Brief: The uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in sexual assault cases - a global review, Janice Du Mont and Deborah White, Sexual Violence Research Initiative, 2007. Summary document. (pdf format, 140 kb)

The uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in sexual assault cases: a global review.  Du Mont, J. & White, D., Sexual Violence Research Initiative, World Health Organisation, 2007: This review was commissioned by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative to provide a global overview of the uses and impacts of medico-legal evidence in cases of sexual assault of adolescents and adults. Full document (pdf format 875 kb)

Sexual Violence Against Women and Children in China. K.L Chan, Sexual Violence Research Initiative, 2007:  No society is free from rape, and China is no exception. This review documents current literature on gender based violence with a particular focus on sexual violence and assault in China including mainland China and Hong Kong. Full document available in English. The executive summary is available in Chinese.

Sexual Violence and HIV: Factsheet (pdf format, 483 kb)

Poster Session: Realizing the right to health: barriers to access among victim/survivors of sexual violence in low-income countries by Jill Astbury, Sexual Violence Research Initiative, 2007: This poster explores qualitative responses from service providers, activists and researchers from 14 low income countries, as defined by the World Bank, who participated in the on line ‘Practice Wisdom’ survey of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI). Full abstract online.

2008 Medico-Legal Convening in Response to Sexual Violence - Call for Expressions of Interest, The Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, 2 – 5 June 2008

Promoting and Strengthening Research Skills/Networks On Sexual Violence, New Delhi, India, 24-28 September 2007: the SVRI recently facilitated a very successful workshop in India. The workshop aim was to strengthen research capacity among SVRI members to develop evidence based, locally relevant research agendas in the area of sexual violence, and to promote research on sexual violence through the creation of regional research networks and research proposals. 19 participants from across the world came together to discuss and share their ideas and experiences regarding research on sexual violence. The workshop agenda and associated presentations can be accessed here.

Do you want to know more about the SVRI - check out these frequently asked questions or e-mail us at svri@mrc.ac.za.

• South Africa: Group calls for more research on sexual violence.

Assessment Instruments Used To Study Healthcare-Based Interventions for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence, Martin S.L., Young S., Billings D.L., IPAS, SVRI, 2007:  This section of the SVRI site provides you with a comprehensive package of programme evaluation tools and methods for sexual violence projects and services.  By making such materials available to service providers, managers, researchers, policy makers and activists, among others, we hope that evaluation will be more easily incorporated into your project and program plans.  Rather than starting from scratch, you may draw on the tools from projects conducted throughout the world and can adapt them to the needs of your own programmes and services.

Sexual Violence Research Agenda, SVRI:  There is increasing recognition of the pervasiveness of sexual violence across the world, yet it remains a neglected area of research. Most of the published research on sexual violence has been undertaken in a very small number of countries. If we are to prevent and respond to sexual violence effectively, more research is needed. To drive this process forward, the SVRI has facilitated the development of a research agenda for sexual violence. It is a first step in the process of identifying key research gaps and sharing them with researchers, funders of research, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

How to Conduct a Situation Analysis of Health Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault: a guide, SVRI, 2006: A national situation analysis on health services for victims/survivors can assist in understanding aspects of service quality, determine where better services are being provided and which factors influence the quality of services. This guide provides you with the tools developed for the SAGBVHI study, and outlines the steps to take when embarking on a national situation analysis of sexual assault services.

Country Pages:  for county specific publications and other resources related to sexual violence visit our country page.