Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20000
Title: Mechanisms underpinning interventions to reduce sexual violence in armed conflict: A realist-informed systematic review
Contributor(s): Spangaro, Joanne (author); Adogu, Chinelo (author); Zwi, Anthony B (author); Ranmuthugala, Geetha  (author)orcid ; Davies, Gawaine Powell (author)
Publication Date: 2015
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1186/s13031-015-0047-4Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20000
Abstract: Sexual violence is recognised as a widespread consequence of armed conflict and other humanitarian crises. The limited evidence in literature on interventions in this field suggests a need for alternatives to traditional review methods, particularly given the challenges of undertaking research in conflict and crisis settings. This study employed a realist review of the literature on interventions with the aim of identifying the mechanisms at work across the range of types of intervention. The realist approach is an exploratory and theory-driven review method. It is well suited to complex interventions as it takes into account contextual factors to identify mechanisms that contribute to outcomes. The limited data available indicate that there are few deterrents to sexual violence in crises. Four main mechanisms appear to contribute to effective interventions: increasing the risk to offenders of being detected; building community engagement; ensuring community members are aware of available help for and responses to sexual violence; and safe and anonymous systems for reporting and seeking help. These mechanisms appeared to contribute to outcomes in multiple-component interventions, as well as those relating to gathering firewood, codes of conduct for personnel and legal interventions. Drawing on pre-existing capacity or culture in communities is an additional mechanism which should be explored. Though increasing the risk to offenders of being detected was assumed to be a central mechanism in deterring sexual violence, the evidence suggests that this mechanism operated only in interventions focused on gathering firewood and providing alternative fuels. The other three mechanisms appeared important to the likelihood of an intervention being successful, particularly when operating simultaneously. In a field where robust outcome research remains likely to be limited, realist methods provide opportunities to understand existing evidence. Our analysis identifies the important potential of building in mechanisms involving community engagement, awareness of responses and safe reporting provisions into the range of types of intervention for sexual violence in crises.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Conflict and Health, 9(19), p. 1-14
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1752-1505
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
111706 Epidemiology
119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified
420299 Epidemiology not elsewhere classified
329999 Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
920599 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) not elsewhere classified
920401 Behaviour and Health
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200401 Behaviour and health
280103 Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical science
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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