In order to advance the field in a more systematic way, strategic priorities for research can facilitate resource requests for research on conflict-related sexual violence, and help findings to be better used to inform programs and policy.
Increased research on sexual violence in humanitarian contexts has been driven by a growing concern about the scale of the problem, as well as the importance of having data on the magnitude and nature of sexual violence in conflict situations, the vulnerabilities of women and children in conflict, the risk factors for perpetration, the short-, medium- and long-term service needs of victims/survivors, and the effectiveness of interventions to prevent and respond to sexual violence. These data are needed to drive effective prevention and response strategies and interventions.
In spite of the clear needs for and increased efforts to collect data, the evidence base remains scant. As part of the knowledge building work of UN Action, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the SVRI, supported the development of a research agenda on sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings. This research agenda identifies strategic research priorities over five years (2012 – 2016) to advance the field in a more systematic way, and to ensure that research efforts make the best use of limited resources.
Methodology of the Process
The process of developing the research agenda was multi-staged and consultative. First, WHO and SVRI created an advisory board consisting of 15 experts from UN agencies, NGOs, and academic bodies to generate ten key themes within conflict-related sexual violence that require additional research. Second, an on-line survey was used to gather the views of a wide variety of practitioners and researchers working on these issues worldwide. The survey was available in both English and French, with a total of 176 surveys completed.
Participants were mostly based in Africa, and the majority worked for international NGOs, academic institutions or UN agencies (67.1%). The focus of their work was research or advocacy, and/or they were involved with health programming.
Main Findings of the Research Agenda
The research priority setting process included a revision of the existing literature on sexual violence in conflict settings to identify research gaps. We focused on the following themes:
- The magnitude of sexual violence in the context of conflict and crisis
- Forms of rape and sexual violence in conflict
- Understanding rape as a tactic of war
- The impact of conflict-related sexual violence on individuals, families, communities and countries;
- Men and boys as survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;
- Women who become pregnant and children born as a result of rape
- Programmatic responses
The literature review and online survey identified and ranked key themes for research on conflict-related sexual violence. The following research themes (in decreasing order of priority according to the results of the online survey) were identified as important areas for research into conflict-related sexual violence:
- The scope and effectiveness of programs to prevent conflict-related sexual violence;
- The scope and effectiveness of programs to respond to conflict-related sexual violence;
- The impact of conflict-related sexual violence on individuals, families, communities and countries;
- Better understanding of the different forms of and motivations for conflict-related sexual violence;
- Integration of sexual assault services in sexual and reproductive health services including emergency contraception, safe abortion services, and family planning;
- The role of economic empowerment and holistic approaches in the prevention of, and response to, conflict-related sexual violence;
- How to respond to the needs of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of conflict-related rape and the needs of children born of rape;
- The needs of ex-combatant sexual violence survivors (men and women) and effective program approaches;
- Men and boys as survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;
- The impact of conflict on male gender identities and conceptualization of masculinity.
A more detailed list of research priorities and research questions is available in the Appendix of the Full report.
Our Way Forward
While this research agenda helped identify the main research priorities and gaps on sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings, to continue strengthening our understanding of rape in war and ultimately prevent it, we need to ensure that this research is used in the most effective way.
This may be achieved by addressing issues of research methods and definitions; collaboration around research; dissemination and sharing of research findings; advocacy and research funding and supporting evidenced based programming. Research on sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings can therefore be strengthened by improvements in the areas presented next.
