Research on access to post-sexual violence services

The devastating conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia, has resulted in significant perpetration of conflict-related sexual violence and violence against women and girls. In the aftermath of such atrocities, it is imperative to assess the effectiveness of existing clinical management of rape services, referral systems, and justice services in Eastern Tigray. This action research proposal aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation to better address the needs of survivors and ultimately review the existing gaps to critical service provision.

Despite concerted efforts to establish support systems for survivors of sexual violence, challenges persist in ensuring the effectiveness and accessibility of these services, particularly for survivors from rural areas. Understanding the current landscape and identifying areas for improvement are crucial steps toward enhancing the response to sexual violence in Eastern Tigray and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

This project aims to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of clinical management of rape services provided by both governmental health facilities and NGOs in Tigray, evaluate the functionality and accessibility of the referral system for survivors of sexual violence by considering factors such as ease of access and coordination between different service providers, and examine the efficacy of justice services in addressing cases of sexual violence, including legal proceedings and support mechanisms for survivors within the context of Tigray. Additionally, the project seeks to identify and analyze the barriers and challenges faced by survivors in accessing and utilizing clinical management, referral, and justice services in the region.