The Sexual Violence Research Podcast

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 and behaviours towards reporting sexual exploitation...

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 methods, like randomised controlled trials, and lear...

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 radical new approach to philanthropy in disrupting an...

“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 practice of taking responsibility for the wellbein...

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, affecting them both psychologically and physically...

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 binary approach. We discover new, more nuanced meas...

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 how women in some regions of the world are more im...

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 ethical funding for research and discuss some of...

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 fairly. Plus we explore why putting women’s voices a...

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 impact strategy. Plus we meet researchers whose projec...

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 institutions can both condone and drive violence aga...

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 consider the links between online and offline experie...

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, we hear about some of the projects that hav...

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 what practise-based knowledge is, why it’s so impo...

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 connecting ahead of the SVRI Forum which is taking place...

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 about some of the critical components of designing a...

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 learn about the connection between practise based kn...

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 share their learnings. In this episode we find out why...

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 girls requires a holistic approach to knowledge shar...

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, difficult to measure and there’s little guidance o...

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 Women and Girls’ programme, and in this episode we e...

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 religion and faith, and the importance of bringing more...

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 trauma in survivors of sexual violence, to develop tru...

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 everyone the opportunity to have their voices heard...

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 other specialists in the field. The GSRA is a coll...