In May 2000, with the support of the Global Forum for Health Research, the Key Centre for Research on Women in Melbourne, Australia, hosted a meeting of representatives from all regions of the world and several networks of organizations working on sexual violence.

The group reached consensus on the need for a global initiative on sexual violence research, and a coordinating group of experts from different disciplines and regions was set up to guide the work.

The SVRI builds on the experience of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women and on the other initiatives of the Global Forum for Health Research.

• Report of the 2000 Melbourne meeting (pdf format, 135 kb)

The SVRI aims to promote research on sexual violence and generate emperical data that ensures sexual violence is recognised as a priority public health problem.

The SVRI does this by building an experienced and committed network of researchers, policy makers, activists and donors to ensure that the many aspects of sexual violence are addressed from the perspective of different disciplines and cultures.

The SVRI objectives are to:

• Increase awareness of sexual violence as a priority public health problem through evidence based communication and information.
• Strengthen the support and funding base for research on sexual violence.
• Build capacity in sexual violence research.
• Improve knowledge of sexual violence internationally to influence policy and service delivery.

Download the complete SVRI flyer. (pdf format, 315 kb)

The SVRI is an initiative of the Global Forum for Health Research.

A Coordinating Group of experts on sexual violence research provides overall guidance for the Initiative. The SVRI was hosted by the WHO Department of Gender, Women and Health for an initial period of 2 years. After a competitive process, the Gender & Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, South Africa, was selected to host the SVRI. The SVRI Secretariat is now based at the MRC South Africa.

• Current members
• Past members

• See details