The Sexual Violence Research Podcast

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 at the centre of research is one of the best ways we can take back power and control in a research setting.  Our guests are: Joy Watson - Feminist researcher and writer  Etoile Pinder - International Women’s Forum  Alicia Wallace -  Head of Equality Bahamas Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI  Find out more at svri.org.

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 projects are a positive example of how research impact can be achieved. Our guests are: Ana Flávia d´Oliveira, a researcher in women's health and gender violence, currently working at the Department of Medicine at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Diana Arango, Gender-Based Violence global lead for the World Bank Group Your host is: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 against women, as well as the healing role faith can play in the lives of survivors. We also discuss what needs to be done going forward to decolonise knowledge in this field. Our guests are: Dr Rafael Cazarin, Department of Sociology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona Ghida Anani, Founder & Director at ABAAD, Resource Centre for Gender Equality Dr Sandra Pertek, Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology at the University of Birmingham. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 experiences of violence and the specific impact on child survivors. Our guests are: Dr Mark Kavenagh, Director of Evident Consulting Adesty Duluwan, Clinical Supervisor at World Hope International in the Philippines. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 have contributed to building evidence in this area, and consider what we can learn from them. We also discuss some of the challenges facing researchers in this field. Our guests are: Taveeshi Gupta, Director of Research, Evaluation and Learning at Equimundo Emmanuel Karamage, Field Coordinator in the Bandebereho Project at the Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC) Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 important in the efforts to improve our prevention programming and how it helps tell a more inclusive story about addressing Violence Against Women. We also discuss the limitations of practice-based knowledge and consider some of the reasons it's not being prioritised. Our guests are: Jean Kemitare, from Urgent Action Fund in Africa Gemma Wood, UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 in Cancun in Mexico this September. We find out about the real world impacts of knowledge sharing. And in our increasingly digital world, we consider some of the future challenges and opportunities in this area. Our guests are: Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section at UN-Women in New York Sylvia Owino, Regional Gender and Social Inclusion Officer at Ripple Effect, which teaches vital skills to farmers in rural Africa Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 an ethical research programme. We find out about the unique risks and challenges faced in this field of research, and how to address them. And we discover how research is evolving and adapting to the growing use of remote studies, and online technology. Our guests are: Claudia Garcia Moreno, Coordinator of the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence Against Women Nancy Glass, Associate Director, Professor and Independence Foundation Chair, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Yandisa Sikweyiya, Specialist Scientist in the Gender and Health Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org. Donate here http://svri.org/content/donate-0

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 knowledge and decolonisation, and how the two concepts can improve violence prevention programmes and outcomes. We find out how legal experts can play a part in ensuring the full inclusion of those with first-hand experience and knowledge. And we discuss how the funding of research and interventions needs to also be overhauled and decolonised. Our guests are: Joy Watson, Feminist Researcher and Writer Terry McGovern, Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Professor, Chair of the Department of Population and Family Health, Director of Global Health Justice and Governance Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, Executive Director at MOSAIC Women's Training Service and Healing Centre Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 a child’s perspective is so important when developing effective services and prevention programmes. We grapple with the issue of gaining informed consent from children. And we touch on the issue of vicarious trauma, which can affect researchers when hearing the experiences of children. Our guests are: Franziska Meinck, Assistant Professor at The University of Edinburgh, School of Social and Political Science Chi-Chi Undie, Senior Associate at the Population Council Anita Burgund Isakov, Assistant Professor at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Sciences in Serbia Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 sharing. In this episode we hear some transformative success stories of activism in action, like the “One in Nine” Campaign in South Africa. We learn about some of the most impactful  forms of advocacy and activism. And we find out how ‘small but mighty’ activist projects can be just as impactful as more wide scale global movements. Our guests are: Nwabisa Jama Shai, Specialist Researcher, South African Medical Research Council Charbel Maydaa, Founder & General Director, MOSAIC Natsnet Ghebrebrhan, VAW Prevention Coordinator, Raising Voices Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 on how to achieve it. In this episode we find out how to address these issues, and discover why it needs to be made a top priority in all research projects. We find out what makes an effective research for impact programme, hearing lessons learnt from the What Works To Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’ programme. And we meet a researcher whose project serves as a shining example of how it can be done positively. Our guests are: Diana Arango, Senior Gender-Based Violence and Development Specialist, World Bank Group Wilson Hernández Breña, Adjunct Researcher, Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE) from Peru Leane Ramsoomar, Public Health Researcher & Research Uptake Specialist, Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 explore its findings. We also discover why feminism needs to be the core value at the centre of all interventions, we hear the amazing success story of a study in Nicaragua called Candies In Hell, and we learn about the impact of conflict and war on violence against women and violence against girls. Our guests are: Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist, Research Strategy in the South African Medical Research Council Office of the President. Manuel Contreras-Urbina, Senior Social Development Specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean on gender-based violence at the World Bank. Mary Ellsberg, Founding Director of the Global Women's Institute at George Washington University. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Angelica Pino, Grants Manager and Capacity Strengthening Specialist, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 women into the conversation. We also hear about promising programmes with faith leaders that are making positive and sustainable change possible. Our guests are Shruti Majumdar, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, Elisabet Le Roux, Research Director at the Unit for Religion and Development Research at Stellenbosch University, and Prabu Deepan, Gender Equality Practitioner and Advocate at Tearfund. Find out more at svri.org.

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 truly effective treatments, we also need to look at complex trauma. In this episode we find out what complex trauma is and why it’s so important we understand it, we learn about the mental health symptoms that stem from sexual violence, including online sexual exploitation, and we find out about the importance of mind-body approaches to healing after sexual violence. Our guests  are Adesty Dulawan, clinical supervisor of World Hope International in the Philippines and teacher, researcher and mental health counsellor Abbie Fields. Find out more at svri.org.

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. In this episode learn about the four key principles of ethical funding, discover the essential role of adopting a feminist approach when tackling power imbalances in this matter, and find out what ethical funding means from a funder’s perspective. Hear from guests Ayesha Mago from the SVRI, Katherine Marie Belen, co-founder of the Connective Paths Foundation, and Annika Lysén, senior programme manager at The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. Find out more at svri.org.

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 collaborative effort, facilitated by the SVRI and Equality Institute, with support from funding partners Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and Sida. The GSRA has brought together a diversity of voices, and in this episode we find out why that’s so important, and we uncover the top research priorities in the field, identified by the GSRA. Hear from guests Emma Fulu, founder and executive director of The Equality Institute, Tina Musuya, executive director of The Center for Domestic Violence Prevention in Uganda, and Tesmerelna Atsbeha, senior programme officer on the women’s rights team at the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. For more detailed analysis of the research we discuss in this episode, click here. Find out more at svri.org.

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 projects are working to break the cycle of abuse and neglect by building positive and healthy family relationships. Hear from guests Dr Catherine Ward, clinical psychologist and research professor at the University of Cape Town, Gary Barker, CEO and founder of Promundo, and Professor Godfrey Siu from the Child Health and Development Centre at Makerere University. For more detailed analysis of the research we discuss in this episode, click here. Find out more at svri.org.

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 perspectives, addressing the root causes of violence and creating meaningful change. Hear from guests Laxman Belbase from the MenEngage Alliance, and Phiona Koyiet from World Vision. Find out more at svri.org.

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.