Sexual Violence Research Agenda

To strengthen our understanding of rape and sexual violence, and ultimately prevent and address it, we need to ensure that the research undertaken is both priority driven and carried out in such a way that it provides a sound practical and empirical basis for interventions/programmes, policy and advocacy on sexual violence. To drive this process forward, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) facilitated the development of a broad research agenda for sexual violence in 2006.

The agenda was informed by published literature on sexual violence; a series of consultative, inclusive process among violence against women and violence against children stakeholders around the world, as well as recommendations arising from the World Report on Violence and Health.

The agenda identified the following six priority areas for research on sexual violence.

Priority Area 1: Nature, prevalence, social context and risk factors associated with sexual Violence
Priority Area 2: Sexual violence prevention
Priority Area 3: Appropriateness and effectiveness of sexual violence services
Priority Area 4: Childhood sexual abuse
Priority Area 5: Sexual violence in conflict and emergency settings
Priority Area 6: HIV and sexual violence