One in five girls and one in seven boys will experience some form of sexual violence before their 18th birthday. These statistics are shocking, and high-quality data is crucial for driving tangible change and reducing these numbers. In this episode, we learn more about the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), the largest source of da…

Survivors hold the key to bringing about empowering and systemic change in the field of gender-based violence. Their stories and their voices must be at the forefront of decision making and policymaking. In this episode we hear the stories of two extraordinary activists, Kolbassia Haoussou MBE and Jac sm Kee. Kolbassia is a torture survivor who exp…

By the age of 16 more than 90% of boys will have watched online pornography, some even as young as nine. Research is also showing us that exposure to increasingly graphic and violent pornography is influencing the sexual behaviours and attitudes of young people, becoming one of their main sources of sexual education. In this episode we examine the …

With around 30% of women globally experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), the need for effective and adaptable interventions is more urgent than ever. In response to this need, the SVRI has developed IPV Adaptation Guidance which highlights adaptation is not a one-size-fits-all process; it must be tailored to suit many different cultural, soc…

Sexual violence can happen to anyone and by anyone, but research shows LGBTQI+ communities are targeted specifically because of their identities. While we have seen huge steps towards fairer treatment of LGBTQI+ people, a widespread anti-gender movement is making it more difficult for organisations to effectively prevent and respond to violence aga…

Online spaces were not created or designed with children in mind. Children are exposed to all kinds of content on the internet, and interact with strangers daily. As the internet is now ubiquitous in the lives of our children and new technologies emerge rapidly, what can we do to keep them safe from online child sexual violence? In this episode our…

Why do certain men use violence in certain situations? How do they rationalise their actions? And should researchers approach them with empathy? From masculine ideals, to patriarchal structures, to jealousy, there are many psychological, societal and cultural factors at play in these dynamics. In this episode our guests walk us through their experi…

Why is it still so hard to talk about sexual exploitation and abuse within humanitarian agencies? What are we doing to safeguard against this kind of violence? While we are slowly building the tools and policies to combat the issues, there are still barriers and challenges the sector needs to address. In this episode we discuss whether attitudes an…

What works and what doesn’t in reducing violence driven by gender inequality? While many teams around the world search for the perfect intervention methods to address this pervasive issue, finding out whether those interventions actually work is extremely difficult. In this episode we discuss the effectiveness and drawbacks of complex evaluation me…

To shift the balance of power and control, to end violence driven by gender inequality, we need deep systemic change. Creating just and inclusive systems for change requires more funding for research - and that funding needs to support the communities at the frontline of violence. In this episode we learn about global collaborative Co-Impact’s radi…

“Change starts from within us.” With so many important goals to achieve, it can be difficult to remember the importance of prioritising health and happiness. But what if we approached work and life with more kindness, focussing on our wellbeing and the welfare of everyone around us? In this episode we explore the concept of ‘collective care’ - the …

From trolling to stalking to the sharing of intimate images, technology has facilitated a wide range of threats against women. But what implications does online violence have in the real-world? And how do we measure the impacts and gather data for research? In this episode we explore how the internet has impacted the safety and wellbeing of women, …

Measuring the impact of violence prevention interventions is an incredibly important part of the process, as it allows us to understand what works and what doesn’t. But can the way we assess outcomes be improved? In this episode we learn about the “any” versus “no” metric we often use in our field to measure outcomes - and the limitations of this b…

The United Nations estimates 80% of people displaced by climate change are women, putting them at greater risk of violence, including sexual violence. In this episode, we discuss the often overlooked role of climate change in exacerbating violence against women, why women are so disproportionately affected by climate related natural disasters and h…

How do we ensure research in the area of violence against women and violence against children is ethical and ethically funded? In this episode, we hear some of the unique challenges and risks when it comes to research in this field and discuss how researchers should go about planning and conducting ethical programmes. We also consider how to ensure…

Who has the power when it comes to research in the area of violence against women and violence against girls? And what can we do to ensure that power is distributed in the right places? In this episode, we try to understand the role power dynamics play in the area of sexual violence research and what can be done to ensure funding is distributed fai…

How do we ensure research in the area of violence against women and violence against girls leads to meaningful change? Research for impact is often neglected due to a number of factors, including lack of time and funding. In this episode, we explore why research uptake should be made a priority and how to go about putting together an effective impa…

Faith and spiritual leaders are often deeply trusted and hugely influential people in the heart of their communities. In this episode, we consider the role religious leaders can play in ending violence against women and violence against children. We discuss how religious beliefs may contribute to violence, how the patriarchal nature of religious in…

As the world’s use of technology grows, so too does it’s role in facilitating sexual violence against children. Throughout this episode we consider the real-world impacts of technology facilitated violence against children, the research that is happening in this area and what tech platforms and governments can do to counter this threat. We also con…

Engaging men and boys in violence prevention programmes can produce real world benefits. This strategy - to be successful - has to be implemented in an ethical and accountable way and centred on women and girls experiences and needs. It cannot be implemented just for the sake of involving men and as a silver bullet to end violence. In this episode,…

There are many methods of gathering research, data and evidence in the work we do to end violence against women and violence against girls. One of those approaches is practice-based knowledge which considers the cumulative learning acquired by practitioners over many years, specifically through hands-on action. In this episode, we learn more about …

Alone we cannot end violence against women and violence against children. Connecting with other researchers, funders, policymakers and survivors is an essential part of the work we do and we are passionate about bringing together multiple and diverse voices to embrace evidence and inform practice. In this episode, we learn about the power of connec…

Ethics must be considered ahead of any research which addresses violence against women. Safety is of paramount importance when working with vulnerable women, many of whom may have experienced violence or indeed may still be experiencing violence. All researchers in this space have an absolute duty of care to these women. In this episode we learn ab…

Decolonising knowledge production in the field of violence against women is about empowerment. Instead of allowing Western ideals to dominate knowledge production, we must refocus our attention on the lived experiences of those who are most affected by violence, and whose expertise is often ignored, as we search for solutions. In this episode we le…

Researching violence against children is an incredibly important, yet ethically challenging task. How do we balance the importance of involving children in research with safeguarding their health and well-being? Our guests have made ethics a priority in their research, considering and addressing any potential harm that may be caused - and they shar…

It is often the passion and activism of women’s movements that powers and transforms evidence to influence policy change. So how can we support activists and their movements and help create impact? Bringing activists together with researchers and other experts is key as effective research and action on violence against women and violence against gi…

Research is only useful if it leads to meaningful change. So, when assessing what works to end violence against women and violence against girls, how can we ensure research sparks action? This is called research uptake, or research for impact, and is a process that’s too often neglected. Despite its undeniable importance, it's often poorly funded, …

Throughout this podcast we’ve heard about many incredible programmes that have been taking place globally to prevent violence against women and violence against girls. But which of these interventions have proven most effective - what is the evidence telling us? This was a major question at the heart of the What Works To Prevent Violence Against Wo…

Faith and spiritual leaders are influential, often deeply trusted members of their communities, with power to direct community attitudes on violence against women and violence against children. In this episode we find out why it’s critical that we engage faith and spiritual leaders to address these issues, we discuss the patriarchal nature of relig…

The mental health impacts of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation are complex. To ensure the effectiveness of our mental health interventions post violence we need an intersectional understanding of the multiple manifestations of trauma. Whilst the diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder provides a framework to understand the process of trau…

Very little funding is dedicated to understanding what works to prevent violence against women and how to strengthen responses for survivors. And when research is funded, it’s often fragmented, project based, and short term. In order to address these issues, the SVRI has developed guidance on ethical funding - funding that is equitable, and gives e…

Funding in the field of violence prevention is often misdirected, with research agendas set by people far removed from the communities the research is meant to serve. The Global Shared Research Agenda is set to change that. It’s the first time the voices of practitioners, researchers and activists have sat centred and equal alongside academics and …

Children who are exposed to violence are more likely to become perpetrators or victims as adults. They may also suffer from a variety of lifelong issues, from mental health problems to obesity. That’s why it’s crucial to begin violence prevention interventions at a young age, and to get buy-in from parents. In this episode we find out how research …

Engaging men in violence prevention interventions is crucial. Many of the issues we see today stem from harmful ideas of masculinity. In many societies these ideas lead to the justification of dominance over women and the use of intimate partner violence. In this episode we explore the many great research projects that are changing male perspective…

This is a podcast from the SVRI, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative. Our vision is to see a world free of violence against women and violence against children. Hear from expert guests as we discover how to make that vision a reality.