The Sexual Violence Research Podcast

The fight against gender-based violence is a 365 day commitment, but for 16 days each year, the global community unites to raise awareness, ignite conversations, and take action during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In this special co-hosted episode with UN Women, we take a deep dive into the significance of this annual campaign and the critical work being done to address gender-based violence worldwide. We explore the lasting legacy of the Mirabal sisters, whose assassination in 1960 became the catalyst for this global movement, and we reflect on how the 16 Days campaign is more than just a period of awareness - it’s an invitation to reflect, act, and commit to lasting change. Your guests are: Clarisa Bencomo, Project Director for Gender Justice at the City University of New York  Nicole Pichardo, Activist and feminist from the Dominican Republic  Your hosts are: Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence Against Women Section, UN Women

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 experienced awful conditions when fleeing persecution. His journey led him to Freedom From Torture, where he is now Survivor Leadership and Influencing Director. Jac is a feminist activist, writer and researcher from Malaysia, whose work largely focuses on the role of technology in gender-based violence. Alongside a number of roles, she is the co-founder and cartographer of the Numun Fund, which supports the creation of feminist technology. In this episode we hear Kolbassia’s heart wrenching story, of the trials he faced while overcoming the trauma of torture, leading him to activism. Jac examines both the negative role of technology in perpetuating stereotypes and violence, as well as its benefits and how it can reshape power structures. And we hear how both are fighting for change, influencing governments and tech organisations alike. Your host is: Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRIThis podcast was recorded at the SVRI Forum 2024. Find out more at svri.org.

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 different types of violent sexual behaviours young people are seeing online, and explore the disturbing connections between pornography consumption and rising rates of sexual violence against women and girls. We also discuss what educators, policymakers, and parents can do to address the damaging influence of this multi-billion dollar industry. Our guests are: Jennifer Johnson, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, Virginia Tech Maree Crabbe, Co-Founder, It’s Time We Talked Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI Find out more at svri.org. References https://itstimewetalked.com/resources/articles-and-media/ https://www.breathlesscampaign.com https://www.breathlesscampaign.com/media ⁠School-Based Education to Address Pornography’s Influence on Young People: A Proposed Practice Framework, American Journal of Sexuality Education by Maree Crabbe & Michael Flood⁠. Pornography exposure and access among young Australians: a cross-sectional study, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health by Maree Crabbe, Michael Flood & Kelsey Adams. 

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, social, and economic contexts. In this episode of the Sexual Violence Research Podcast, we explore the critical process of adapting IPV prevention programmes to different contexts, what’s needed to successfully adapt and scale proven IPV prevention programmes for new settings - and some of the challenges implementers can face when adapting programmes. Our guests are: Dr. Vandana Sharma, Co-Founder of Equality Insights Lab Laura Somoggi, Co-CEO of Womanity. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 against the queer community.  In this episode, we hear about the unique challenges LGBTQI+ people in Eswatini and Sri Lanka face, the policies and programmes working to address violence against LGBTQI+ people and the challenges stakeholders face when carrying out this work. We also hear messages of optimism about how far advocacy work in this space has come and hopes for a brighter, more inclusive future.   Our guests are: Bheki Sithole, Technical Advisor at Family Health International (FHI) 360 for EpiC Eswatini Michele Lanham, Director of Knowledge Management, HIV Department, FHI 360 Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Executive Director, Equal Ground Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRIFind out more at svri.org.

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 guests discuss: How technology facilitates violence against and exploitation of children, but also how we can use it to fight against these practices. The responsibilities of tech companies, the importance of coordinated efforts across sectors, and the necessity for evidence-based interventions. The uncomfortable reality that if we want to fully address the issue, we also need to understand what drives the demand, while supporting people at risk of perpetrating these crimes. Our guests are: Shailey Hingorani, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research, at WeProtect Global Alliance Amy Crocker, Head of Child Protection and Technology, at ECPAT International Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRIFind out more at svri.org.

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 experiences in researching violent men, what is needed to create useful programmes to stop domestic violence, and what mechanisms they put in place to protect themselves and their teams. We discuss the ethics of talking to men who commit violence, while striking the right balance between humanising them, without accepting their actions. And we ponder whether there’s cause for optimism. Here’s a link to the paper Nambusi refers to at the beginning of the interview. Our guests are: Nambusi Kyegombe, Co-Director of LSHTM's Gender Violence and Health Centre & co-lead the adolescence theme for LSHTM's Centre for Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Martín di Marco, founder-member of the InterAmerican Anti-Femicide Network (RIAF) & postdoctoral researcher in the Crime in Latin America project at the University of Oslo Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRIFind out more at svri.org

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 in the aid sector have changed over the years, and learn that there might be reasons for optimism. Our guests share their experience in fighting for better strategies in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. And we hear why we need more research into which safeguarding strategies are actually effective.  Our guests are: Dr. Tessie San Martin, CEO at FHI, formerly CEO of Plan International USA Theodora Suter, Regional Coordinator for the IOM, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 learn why they may not capture the nuance and complexity of violence interventions. The panel shares their experiences of RCTs and other unique methods of evaluating interventions. And we hear why greater collaboration and openness is needed, as intervention teams are encouraged to share their methods more widely.  Our guests are: Lucie Cluver, Professor at Oxford University in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation Laxman Belbase, global co-director of the MenEngage Alliance. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI Find out more at svri.org.

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 and challenging existing power structures. We discuss the need to develop capacity for local fundraising and altruism. We learn what it means to have ‘sustainable’ change. And we hear inspirational examples of how feminist activism has been able to shift social norms for the better. Our guests are: Varja Lipovsek, Director of Learning, Measurement and Evaluation at Co-Impact Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Adviser at Oxfam GB, and Author of How Change Happens Your host is: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRIFind out more at svri.org. Check out our ranking in FeedSpot's Top 10 Best South Africa Research Podcasts list.

“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 wellbeing of each other, as individuals and as a community. We examine the very real dangers faced by women and children around the world, specifically in the sphere of activism, and how collective care can support and heal those vulnerable to attacks. We also discuss the importance of integrating collective care into our organisations, what this can look like, and what the future holds. Our guests are: Natsnet Ghebrebrhan, Director, VAW Prevention Team at Raising Voices Jean Kemitare, Programmes Director at Urgent Action Fund Africa. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI  Find out more at svri.org.

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. We hear real-world examples of women who’ve seen these impacts firsthand, including one woman who disengaged from the internet for 13 years as a result of her experiences. And we discuss the work that needs to be done to create safe spaces for women online. Our guest is: Maya Indira Ganesh of the University of Cambridge, and senior research fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence. Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI  Find out more at svri.org.

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 measurements that can be used to paint a more complete picture about the effectiveness of interventions. And we learn just how dramatically our understanding of impact can change by simply altering the way we interpret the data. Our guest is: Sangeeta Chatterji, Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh, and co-author of Optimizing the Construction of Outcome Measures for Impact Evaluations of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Interventions Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI  Find out more at svri.org.

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 impacted than others.  We’ll also consider some of the challenges of researching the effects of climate change on women and how governments and humanitarian organisations should be adapting their climate responses to include the impacts of violence against women.  Our guests are: Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo - Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa. Jeanne Ward - Internationally recognised expert on Violence Against Women and Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.  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 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 the challenges of conducting remote research ethically.  Our guests are: Lori Heise - Technical Director at the Prevention Collaborative Alessandra Guedes - Gender and Development Manager at UNICEF  Dr. Claudia Garcia Moreno Esteva - World Health Organisation, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health Your hosts are: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI Ayesha Mago, Global Advocacy Director, SVRI  Find out more at svri.org.