None in Three Newsletter Issue #5

Our Qualitative Research Findings

The findings of our qualitative research on the GCRF Ni3 project represent a major effort involving over 200 research participants and experts working across health, social sciences and humanities disciplines to uncover the experiences of gender-based violence in different settings, and to seek ways to end it. Each country, in consultation with NGOs and professionals working with survivors, examined types of GBV of particular relevance to their local context:

• In India, our colleagues examined the links between gender bias and violence
• Ugandan researchers focused on child marriage in a post-conflict context
• Child sexual abuse was the focus in Jamaica
• In the UK we examined young women’s experiences of intimate partner violence and the perspectives of men who perpetrate it.

The executive summaries of this work, which have now been published (see links below), show that the roots of GBV run deep, and there is much to do in order to eradicate the problem. The work carried out by our colleagues was incredibly diverse and specific to each country, but at the risk of simplifying this rich body of work, it was notable that some common drivers of GBV exist across national borders: poverty, a lack of educational opportunities for girls, bias against women, and the existence of violence and crime within the wider community. It is our hope that, by intervening in educational settings, the work of the None in Three Centre will help to drive the social changes that are needed to realise our hopes of a GBV-free world.

Tim Gomersall & Graham Gibbs, Ni3 Ni3 GCRF Project Qualitative Research Leads

Cross-country Research Reflections

Research Fellows in our four GCRF project study countries have recorded a short videos in which they reflect on the key themes and findings of another country team’s research. We are pleased to share these videos with you below.

Karyl Powell-Booth, our research fellow from Jamaica, shares her thoughts on our India team’s research into gender bias in Indian society.

Gill Kirkman, our UK country director, shares her thoughts on our Jamaica team’s research into child sexual abuse in Jamaica.

Rukmini Banerjee, our research fellow from India, shares her thoughts on our Uganda team’s research into the impact of child marriage.

Dr Esther Nanfuka, our Research Fellow from Uganda, shares her thoughts on our UK team’s research into intimate partner violence.

Review of None in Three Jamaica’s Executive Summary: “It Affects You For a Lifetime!” – Perspectives on Child Sexual Abuse in Jamaica

By Gill Kirkman, UK Country Director

When considering Jamaica’s response to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), I find many similarities to those here in the UK. The subject is, as researchers confirmed, a secret taboo, one covered in shame and blame supported by a system set up to pour scepticism and doubt upon the victim. The summary takes the reader methodically through survivor experiences of abuse and the subsequent long-term impact set within a recognition of the cultural perceptions that normalise the sexualisation of children. The summary provides a profound insight into the trauma experienced by those young people who bravely disclosed their abuse. Evidence on the impact and adverse outcomes for both male and female victims is highlighted, and researchers analyse the similarities and the important differences in gender responses, essential to understand if effective interventions are to be developed. Sexual abuse is viewed by male participants in the study as a ‘rite of passage’; this provides a powerful and painful insight into the country’s cultural and social norms that do little to protect children from abuse. The evidence is robust and highlights the lack of preventative strategies and therapeutic support, leaving potential victims extremely vulnerable and survivors bereft of therapeutic help.

The authors state that legislation is not enough; the data reveals that, despite laws being in place to protect victims, they require proactive professionals to ensure they are enforced. The research clearly evidences that victims of CSA do not receive justice and that current responses are no deterrent to those who perpetrate it. Evidence-based recommendations are offered, providing an important resource for the judiciary, professionals, policy makers, and politicians. Courts need to become child focused, and victim centred, enabling different methods for providing testimony, rejecting current myths of victim falsehood and enabling child friendly courtrooms. Revictimisation must be avoided and researchers advocate for measures to be put in place that build more empathy and protect children from further contact with perpetrators.

It is clear from the data that effective perpetrator programmes are indispensable. Offence focused treatments that are also trauma informed are recommended, as is trauma informed practice with survivors to promote resilience and a future free from further abuse.  Education plays a significant role across many of the recommendations: for frontline staff who have a responsibility for the welfare and protection of children; for parents, who can offer increased support; for the media; and the general public. The training of medical professionals is also recommended so that sexual trauma can be identified using screening tools. This is an important consideration, but has to be measured against our understanding that not all children who are sexually abused show signs of intimate trauma, thus placing the onus back onto adults to believe children when they disclose and be vigilant to changes in attitude and behaviour. The myth that children lie about being abused needs to be robustly challenged.

It was found that some young people utilised positive coping strategies after the abuse and this was encouraging to see, however researchers state that this was piecemeal and in the absence of any formal interventions or support. Ensuring that appropriate support and guidance is available at every point for victims of sexual abuse will be crucial going forward, offering children and young people hope that the abuse need not define them, that a resilient and positive future is within reach. Uncomfortable conversations must be had, the silence must be broken, and this summary will hopefully start that process.