Population Council’s Post

The first Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (#VACS) conducted exclusively in a humanitarian setting, specifically among refugees in #Uganda, provides data on the prevalence and impact of violence against children and youth in these contexts. The study reveals high levels of sexual, physical, and emotional violence, in refugee settings, with females being more likely than males to experience sexual violence and males being more likely than females to experience physical violence. VAC perpetrators were often individuals known by the survivors, and although many children and youth knew where to seek help, disclosure and help-seeking were low for both genders. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive survey data to inform efforts to address violence against children in humanitarian settings. 🔗Read more at https://lnkd.in/dCf-yXsn cc: Population Council

The harsh reality for women and girls in refugee and IDP camps: A deep dive into the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence. Click the link below to read more on this silent crisis https://lnkd.in/dme_5VE6 #RefugeeCrisis #SGBV #HumanitarianCrisis #womenrights #genderbasedviolence

Victims often experience co-occurrence of different forms of violence. In our research with Monash University, Migrant and Refugee Women in Australia: The Safety and Security Study, more than half of the women surveyed experienced at least two types of harm and 22% had experienced all three types of harm.  These three forms of DFV include:  ⚪️ Controlling behaviours,   ⚪️ violence towards others and/or property, and  ⚪️ physical and sexual violence. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gMHxgApm If you or someone you know is at risk of family and domestic violence, please contact the services below: ⚫️ Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578  ⚫️ 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732  ⚫️ DV Connect Women's Line: 1800 811 811  ⚫️ 13 YARN 13 92 76  ⚫️ Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800  ⚫️ Headspace: 1800 650 890  ⚫️ Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 13 11 14 🗣️ You can use the telephone Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) to speak to someone at 1800RESPECT Australia. TIS National is available free of charge. #DFV #SupportWomen #BelieveHer #MigrantandRefugeeWomen #CoerciveControl #EmpowerWomen #NoToViolence 

On #SocialJusticeDay it's imperative to highlight the plight of Rohingya refugees, who face grave human rights abuses. Gender-based violence remains a disproportionate threat to women and girls across Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Adolescents and youth face distinct risks that have not been adequately addressed in the response thus far. 🔺 45% 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (physical, sexual or emotional) in their lifetime, and 40% report this occurring in the past 12 months.  🔺 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, but because gender-based violence is regarded as a private matter, 80% of married girls and women reported they knew where to go for support if someone hits them. 🔺 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝. 3% of married girls reported being touched or made to do a sexual act against their will, but this increased to 35% when girls were asked to report this privately . See our post for summarised findings 👉 https://bit.ly/3uvAqeJ Images by Natalie Berthrams.  #SocialJustice #RohingyaCrisis #StandWithRefugees #WorldDayOfSocialJustice #GBV Silvia Guglielmi Nicola Jones Khadija Mitu Jennifer Seager

Although men account for most victims of reported violence worldwide, and dominate labour trafficking figures, they remain largely ‘unseen’ in anti-trafficking and financial inclusion efforts during conflicts and crises.     This problem is particularly acute for men who are disabled; refugees or migrants; homeless; of diverse sexual orientation, gender identify, and expression; or from a racial minority group. Modern slavery risks for these ‘diverse men’ during times of crisis are known to be largely under-appreciated in data, practices, policy, and funding.     A new UNU-CPR report, in collaboration with All Survivors Project, seeks to address this knowledge gap. It focuses on two country case studies – Haiti and Poland – to explore how international policy and guidance is impacting national policy and local actors in their work to implement gender-responsive actions for preventing #modernslavery and financial exclusion.    The findings help to identify and shape several recommendations – designed to enhance efforts to combat modern slavery and promote financial inclusion, inclusive of diverse men, during times of crisis. Access the report here: https://lnkd.in/eE7F6hQY #HumanTrafficking #HumanTraffickingPreventionMonth #EndHumanTrafficking #EndTrafficking 

Gender-responsive #HumanitarianAction ensures accountable, dignified aid delivery by addressing #GenderInequalities. It safeguards against sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls, fostering respectful and transparent crisis responses, as seen in Türkiye and northwest Syria. Find these examples in United Nations OCHA's Global Humanitarian Overview 2024 ➡️ https://bit.ly/4at3svE #InvestInHumanity #FeministHumanitarianAction

(tw: CSA) WRITE TO YOUR MP! Protect children from sexual abuse. According to IICSA, two-thirds of children do NOT disclose sexual abuse. Despite this, the Home Secretary has REJECTED the proposal of ‘recognised indicators’ - meaning the 'mandatory duty to report' will only apply if child sexual abuse is disclosed by a victim or perpetrator. Can you see the issue with this? The duty to safeguard must never be shifted onto children. There are 14 million children in the UK. Governmental failures to protect children from sexual abuse cannot continue. Use the template letter below to write to your MP! In light of the Refugee Council's finding that several adults living with asylum-seeking children are not DBS checked - it must be also confirmed that effective safeguarding measures and the mandatory duty to report will apply to those living with asylum-seeking children.

➡️ Chapter 3: Protection and Safety from Violence and Exploitation   ❌ Syrian refugees in Akkar lack legal status and face heightened vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, particularly affecting children who often work to support their families. Instances of sexual abuse are underreported due to social taboos, and representative data is unavailable. Many stories are unbearable, including violence, exploitation, and child marriage.   🚨 I HAVE THE RIGHT: -      To see serious efforts in the fight against child labour, enforcing the legal age for employment, which is thirteen years, punishing those who illegally employ children without punishing us children, and giving us access to evening schools. -      That the issue of early marriage is regulated by public law in a way that guarantees the rights of children and does not push them to recklessness and exploitation, setting the minimum age of marriage at sixteen years. -      To be protected from forced marriage by effectively controlling the free consent of both partners, especially when they are underage, taking into account customs and traditions and the preservation of the family. -      That psychosocial counsellors are made available to our families and schools in order to address all different types of violence and abuse inside homes, schools, parks and playgrounds, and to raise awareness in our communities. -      To have access to post-violence rehabilitation centres that can help me to get out of the cycle of pain through methods of individual and group therapy. -      To use the internet without fear or hesitation, while providing laws that protect us from abuse and online harassment.

On 19 June 2015, the UN General Assembly designated this date as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict to raise awareness, honour victims and survivors, and recognise those fighting to end these crimes. Women and girls, disproportionately affected by conflict, suffer immensely from sexual violence. Conflict-related sexual violence includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, and other severe abuses. Despite being a war crime, perpetrators often face no consequences. Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative's Together We Can (TWC) project supports women and girls in Kaduna State, Nigeria, offering mental health, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment to build resilience and reduce violence. Find out more here. https://lnkd.in/dsikx3ad Ending sexual violence in conflict is our collective responsibility. UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) UN Women #endsexualassault #endsexualviolence

On this #InternationalDay for the #EliminationOfSexualViolenceInConflict, I am re-sharing an article that I wrote for Orion Policy Institute on the first anniversary of the Sudanese conflict (April 15). The article explores how the civil war in #Sudan has been facilitating practices of exploitation and abuse, including sexual violence against women and girls. You can read the article at the link below: https://lnkd.in/dtjVaTbm