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WHO committed to tackle sexual violence issues


The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a project called “Sexual Violence Research Initiative” (SVRI).

The idea for the SVRI came out of a May 2000 meeting in Melbourne, Australia attended by representatives from all regions of the world and several networks of organizations working on sexual violence.

It aims at addressing those gaps in research and evaluation of sexual violence.

The SVRI’s website: http://www.who.int/svri/en/ provides information and links on may areas related to sexual violence as well as WHO guidelines for medical-legal care for victims of sexual violence.

Sexual violence is a public health problem and a violation of human rights. It occurs worldwide and has a profound impact on physical, mental and social well-being both immediately and in the long-term.

Despite this, says the WHO, sexual violence has received little attention so far from researchers, policy-makers and programme designers. Interventions to prevent or respond to sexual violence are limited and many have not been evaluated.

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is committed to action to address these gaps.

EPHA’s related article: WHO reveals the economic cost of interpersonal violence.

Last modified on January 19 2005.

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6 July 2007 11:06, by Liz Dartnall

WHO committed to tackle sexual violence issues

Many thanks for providing us with an opportunity to share information the SVRI with others. I am writing to let you know that the SVRI has a new website address: www.svri.org. Would it be possible to update this page with the following information:

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative is a network of experienced researchers, policy-makers, activists, donors and others committed to the promotion of research on sexual violence and to generating empirical data to ensure that sexual violence is recognised as a priority public health issue. The SVRI was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Global Forum for Health Research. It is hosted by the Gender and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, South Africa. Activities of the SVRI are guided by a Coordinating Group of experts from around the world who provide strategic guidance to the Initiative and currently a membership of over 880 people from around 80 countries. For more information on the SVRI Coordinating Group visit: http://www.svri.org/group.htm. The SVRI website provides valuable technical assistance to members and visitors, in the form of research tools and methods, ethics guidelines and protocols. The SVRI website contains over 100 country pages containing country specific resources related to sexual violence (www.svri.org). The site hosts an updated list of funding resources, and shares information on sexual violence research and advocacy activities taking place globally. The SVRI also produces a bi-weekly e-publication that is sent to members with information on sexual violence in research and in the media, funding opportunities, conferences and other related information. To join the SVRI visit us online at http://www.svri.org/participate.htm or email us at svri@.mrc.ac.za.

Or something similar? Thank you again.

Kind regards Liz Dartnall Sexual Violence Research Initiative Gender and Health Research Unit Medical Research Council Pte Bag x385 Pretoria 0001 South Africa

Ph: +27 12 339 8527 Fax: +27 12 339 8525 Email: svri@mrc.ac.za Website: www.svri.org

Additional news articles on the SVRI can be found online at: http://www.plusnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=69963

See online : Sexual Violence Research Initiative

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