What We Know About Sexual Violence

1. Sexual Violence Towards Boys & Girls Overview of promising practices & challenges related to response and prevention of sexual violence in the Syria Response Region Inter Agency Child Protection Workshop for Syria Response 20-21 May 2015

2. What We Know About Sexual Violence • Globally, according to WHO, 20% of women and 5-10% of men report being sexually abused as children • Sexual abuse is an abuse of power over a child and a violation of a child’s right to life and normal development through healthy and trusting relationships. • It is any form of sexual activity with a child that often includes body contact but is not limited to physical contact. SV towards children can occur in absence of penetration, force, pain or even touching

3. Child SV in the Syria Response Sexual violence represents approximately 8% of incidents of GBV disclosed by survivors of all sex and ages to members of the GBVIMS Women, girls and boys identified particularly at high risk of sexual violence children with disabilities, separated children, children living in the streets identified as being at high risk of sexual violence While by no means exclusive: • Boys identified at high risk of SV in schools by other boys • Girls identified at high risk of SV within marriage by male spouse

4. Response & Prevention to Child SV • Tell them to Stop – It is hard to disclose • Listen to me and believe what I tell you • I need to feel safe and protected and decide how my case is to be handled • Love me, support me – we know what we need • Don’t put a label on me and let me go on with my life

5. Critical Response Elements to Child SV: • Case Management • PSS and MH Interventions for Child Sexual Abuse Related Trauma • Clinical Health Care and Treatment for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

6. Successful Response Measures: • Establish lead agency and clear SOPs • Understanding and guidance on mandatory reporting laws across response services • Ensure adapted medical response available • Uphold the best interest of the child as the primary consideration • Understanding dynamics of disclosure, gendered experiences • Recognize resilience of children and families and building on those during service delivery

7. Critical Prevention Elements to Child SV: Knowledge of local child protection mechanisms and norms including factors and actors that protect or pose risks to boys and girls Multi-sectoral approach but that is designed specifically with the intended outcome of reducing violence Strong PSEA mechanisms in place

8. Promising Prevention Initiatives: • Child Friendly Spaces, Women and Girls safe spaces • Conducting regularly safety audits ; community mappings • Adolescent life skills curriculums which address sexual and reproductive health • Parenting skills trainings that address positive coping mechanisms • Joint campaigns CP and GBV promoting safety and positive mechanisms • Economic support interventions which specifically look at benefiting those identified at risk of exploitation • Coordination between CP, SGBV, EDU, Health WGs

9. Thank you