Characteristics of higher education students who reported sexual violence: a Nigerian national study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence among higher education students is a global public health problem. Identifying the characteristics of students who report victimization can serve as basis for programmes that target vulnerable students. METHODS: The study was conducted among 30,114 Nigerian higher education students. They were selected from 18 institutions comprising universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The purpose of the study was to assess the characteristics of students who reported sexual violence (rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment) and to determine the association between reporting and their characteristics. RESULTS: Our findings showed that 37% of the students reported experiencing sexual violence. Regression analysis showed that the odds of reporting among female students were two times greater than that of the male students (CI = 1.58-1.78; P < 0.001). The students who were traditionalists (aOR = 2.65, p < 0.001) or from other religious groups (aOR = 3.28, p < 0.001) had higher odds of reporting than those who were Christians. All the age groups represented in the study had significantly higher odds of reporting except those between 25 and 29 years (aOR = 1.03; p = 0.616). Non-final year students had significantly 7% lower odds of reporting (p = 0.037) than the first-year students. The students in the arts and humanities-related programmes significantly had higher odds of reporting than those in the science-related programs (aOR = 1.08; p = 0043). In addition, polytechnic and colleges of education students were two times more likely to report sexual violence than university students (p < 0.001). Also, the students from other regions were two times more likely to report sexual violence than those from Southwest region. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that sexual violence reporting by higher education students differ by their types of schools, sex, religion, level of education and geographical location.

Association between sexual violence and depression is mediated by perceived social support among female university students in the kingdom of Eswatini.

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence is a tool that primarily functions to maintain gendered power hierarchies. Manifestations of gender-based violence, sexual assault and street harassment have been shown to have significant effects on mental wellbeing in the global North, however there is little research centering the experiences and consequences of gendered harassment in the Africa region. METHODS: We analyzed a cross-sectional random sample of 372 women attending a major university in Eswatini in 2017 to measure the prevalence of street harassment among female university students and assess the relationship between experiences of sexual assault, sexualized street harassment, and mental health outcomes in this population. RESULTS: We found that in the previous 12 months, women reported experiencing high levels of sexual assault (20%), street harassment (90%), and depression (38%). Lifetime sexual assault, past 12 months sexual assault, and street harassment were all significantly associated with symptoms of depression. We created a structural model to test hypothesized causal pathways between street harassment, previous experiences of sexual assault, and symptoms of depression, with social support as a potential mediator. We found that a history of sexual violence significantly mediated the association between street harassment and depression, and that social support mediated a large proportion of the association between both forms of gender-based violence and depression. CONCLUSION: Sexualized street harassment is associated with increased depressive symptomology for nearly all women, however the effects are especially pronounced for women who have previous experiences of sexual violence. Sexualized street harassment functions as a tool to maintain gendered power hierarchies by reminding women of ongoing threat of sexual violence even in public spaces. Social support and solidarity among women is a potentially important source of resiliency against the physical and mental harms of all forms of gender based violence.

[The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of sexual violence against children and adolescents in the home environment in Brazil]. / Impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 na incidência de violência sexual domiciliar contra crianças e adolescentes no Brasil.

The scope of this article is to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of sexual violence against children and adolescents in the home environment in Brazil. It involves an ecological time-series study using joinpoint regression based on data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System from 2009 to 2021. The relative frequency and crude incidence rates of sexual violence occurring in the home against the population group aged 0 to 19 years were analyzed, estimating the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC), with a 95% confidence interval. The relative frequency of the problem was higher in 2020 (69.8%) and 2021 (71.7%), with an increase of 3.1% (p = 0.001) in 2017-2021. Girls were more affected, with rates rising in 2009-2012 (APC = 44.4; p = 0.010) and 2015-2019 (APC = 16.6; p=0.017) but falling in 2019-2021 (APC= -17.7; p = 0.042). All age groups showed a significant increase until 2019, and a reduction after this year for 5-9 years (APC = -18.6; p = 0.016), 10-14 years (APC = -14.1; p = 0.040) and 15-19 years (APC = -18.4; p = 0.021). The reduction in the incidence rates of this type of violence may have been influenced by the context of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the underreporting of cases.

O objetivo do artigo é identificar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 na incidência de violência sexual de crianças e adolescentes no ambiente domiciliar no Brasil. Estudo ecológico de série temporal utilizando regressão joinpoint a partir de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, período 2009-2021. Analisaram-se frequência relativa e taxas brutas de incidência de violência sexual ocorrida na residência contra a população de 0 a 19 anos, estimando-se variação percentual anual (APC) e variação percentual anual média (AAPC), com intervalo de confiança de 95%. A frequência relativa do agravo obteve maiores valores em 2020 (69,8%) e 2021 (71,7%), com aumento de 3,1% (p = 0,001) em 2017-2021. As meninas foram mais atingidas, com elevação das taxas em 2009-2012 (APC = 44,4; p = 0,010) e 2015-2019 (APC = 16,6; p = 0,017), porém queda em 2019-2021 (APC = -17,7; p = 0,042). Todas as faixas etárias apresentaram aumento significativo até 2019, e redução após esse ano para 5-9 anos (APC = -18,6; p = 0,016), 10-14 anos (APC = -14,1; p = 0,040) e 15-19 anos (APC = -18,4; p = 0,021). A redução nas taxas de incidência desse tipo de violência pode ter sofrido influência do contexto de isolamento social na pandemia de COVID-19, que levou à subnotificação dos casos.

Sexual violence and associated factors among female large-scale industry workers in Bahir Dar city administration, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Introduction: sexual violence is currently a serious public health problem affecting women´s health. Globally, 1 in 3 women faces sexual violence in their lifetime. Female industry workers are at an increased risk of sexual violence. Assessing the magnitude and factors associated with sexual violence among female industrial workers is important for interventions. The objective was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence among female large-scale industries workers in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 807 female industry workers from September to October 2021. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were done by Epi data v.3.1 and SPSS v.23, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors. Adjusted odds ratios were computed at 95%CI. A P-value below 0.05 was used to declare association. Results: the prevalence of sexual violence were 59.4% (95% CI; 56.0%-62.6%). The significantly associated factors include; age less than twenty-five (AOR=4.01, 95%CI; 2.81, 10.83), never-married women (AOR=3.07, 95%CI; 1.11, 8.46), being secondary education (AOR=2.65, 95%CI; 1.51, 4.66), being contract employee (AOR=4.65, 95%CI; 1.92, 11.22), drinking alcohol (AOR=3.01, 95%CI; 1.49, 6.09), and night work shift (AOR=9.01, 95%CI; 4.53, 17.93). Conclusion: high rate (59.4%) of sexual violence was reported. Age, marital status, educational status, contract type of work agreement, drinking alcohol, and working night work shift were risk factors. Hence, emphasis on creating safe working environment & transportation, education on reproductive rights and reporting of sexual violence.

Multi-level predictors of young people's attitudes towards gender biases concerning rape, sexual and domestic violence in intimate relationships among young people, Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria.

This study assessed multi-level factors that shape young people's attitudes towards gender biases about rape, sexual, and domestic violence in intimate relationships. This cross-sectional study was undertaken in three urban and three rural communities in Ebonyi State, southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 1,020 young people using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed using STATA. Findings revealed that most(64%) young people agree that when a girl doesn't physically fight back, you cannot really say it was rape. Many agreed that a girl who is raped is promiscuous or has a bad reputation (50%) and usually did something careless to put herself in that situation(45%). Young girls were approximately 2 times more likely to have positive attitudes towards sexual violence, rape, and domestic violence in intimate relationships than young boys (OR=1.5;P<0.01). Multi-level strategies to effectively address adverse gender norms and inequalities in intimate relationships are highly recommended.

Cette étude a évalué les facteurs à plusieurs niveaux qui façonnent les attitudes des jeunes à l'égard des préjugés sexistes concernant le viol, la violence sexuelle et domestique dans les relations intimes. Cette étude transversale a été entreprise dans trois communautés urbaines et trois communautés rurales de l'État d'Ebonyi, au sud-est du Nigeria. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de 1 020 jeunes à l'aide d'un questionnaire administré par un intervieweur. Des analyses de régression descriptive et logistique ont été effectuées à l'aide de STATA. Les résultats ont révélé que la plupart (64 %) des jeunes conviennent que lorsqu'une fille ne se défend pas physiquement, on ne peut pas vraiment dire qu'il s'agit d'un viol. Beaucoup conviennent qu'une fille violée est une promiscuité ou a une mauvaise réputation (50%) et a généralement fait quelque chose de négligent pour se mettre dans cette situation (45%). Les jeunes filles étaient environ 2 fois plus susceptibles d'avoir des attitudes positives à l'égard de la violence sexuelle, du viol et de la violence domestique dans les relations intimes que les jeunes garçons (OR=1,5 ; P<0,01). Des stratégies à plusieurs niveaux pour lutter efficacement contre les normes de genre défavorables et les inégalités dans les relations intimes sont fortement recommandées.

[Evaluation of the state and implementation of the Hospital Clinical Forensic Units in Chile]. / Evaluación del estado e implementación de las Unidades Clínico Forense Hospitalarias en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence has a several negative impact on women's health. Thus, the health system is a gateway for the multisector response to victims. In 2018, the Clinical Forensic Hospital Units (UCFH) in Chile were launched for this purpose. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the state of implementation of the UCFH in the health services (HS) in Chile. METHOD: This is a quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional study. A survey was designed and applied through the Google Forms platform to the managers of the care and prevention network for victims of sexual violence (VSV) of each SS. The contact of each manager was requested by each HS in three ways: transparency law, lobby law, and telephone. Each HS was classified according to the existence or not of UCFH and for each unit the availability of resources was evaluated according to the recommendations of the Technical Standard of Attention to VSV of the Ministry of Health. Also, the functioning of each unit during the pandemic was evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 29 HSs responded, of which 12 reported having UCFH. Of the 12 units, 50% had complete infrastructure, 58.3% had complete instruments, none had full human resources, 50% had partial HR, 50% had sampling complete, and 58. 3% had full health benefits. The function during the pandemic was affected in 25% of the units. CONCLUSION: Challenges persist in the implementation of the UCFH, with special limitations in the availability of human resources.

Wellbeing and illbeing in women exposed to physical and sexual violence during peripregnancy: a population-based longitudinal study.

Background: Physical and sexual violence against pregnant women have been associated with detrimental mental health outcomes for victims. Few studies have examined both positive (wellbeing) and negative (illbeing) mental health indicators in the same sample. Additionally, the literature assessing mental health based on different forms of violence is limited.Objective: To compare both wellbeing (life satisfaction) and illbeing (anxiety and depression) trajectories between non-victimized and victims of physical, sexual and both forms of violence that occurred during or shortly before pregnancy. Further, we analyse whether social support moderates these trajectories.Method: This longitudinal study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort, including the period from early pregnancy to toddlerhood (3 years). We compared wellbeing and illbeing trajectories of non-victims (n = 73,081), victims of physical abuse (n = 1076), sexual abuse (n = 683), and both forms of abuse (n = 107) using Growth Curve Modelling. Finally, social support was included as a moderator of wellbeing and illbeing trajectories.Results: Results indicated that victims scored systematically lower in wellbeing and higher in illbeing. Exposure to violence did not significantly change the wellbeing trajectory, pointing to similar developments in wellbeing among victims and non-victims for the considered period. On the other hand, different trajectories in illbeing occurred between victims and non-victims, as well as between victimized groups. Victims experienced greater change in illbeing scores, with a steeper decrease in illbeing compared to non-victims. Both victims and non-victims returned to respective baseline scores 3 years after birth. All women benefited from social support, but victims of physical abuse were particularly protected by social support.Conclusions: There is an alarming persistence of mental health problems in women exposed to violence during peripregnancy. Different forms of violence differentially impact women's mental health. Social support is beneficial among all pregnant women.

Victims of peripregnancy violence score systematic lower in wellbeing over time than non-victims. However, the wellbeing trajectories among victims and non-victims are similar.On the other hand, illbeing (anxiety and depression) trajectories differ for non-victims and victims of physical, sexual and both forms of violence. All women decreased their levels of illbeing from pregnancy to the first 6 months postpartum, but victims had a steeper decrease during this period compared to non-victims.All women benefited from social support, but victims of physical abuse were particularly protected by social support.

Underreporting of violence against women: an analysis of two data sources. / Subnotificação de violência contra as mulheres: uma análise de duas fontes de dados.

This article aims to estimate the underreporting of violence against women (VAW) in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), based on data from the National Survey of Health (NSH), in Brazil and subnational units (SU). This work was an ecological study using SINAN and NSH, both from 2019. In SINAN, reports of sexual, physical, and psychological VAW, aged 18 years or older, were selected. In the NSH, women of the same age group who reported psychological, physical, or sexual violence, and who had sought health care due to consequences of the violence were selected. SINAN underreporting was calculated in reference to the NSH's estimated population, for Brazil and each SU. Underreporting of VAW in Brazil was 98.5%, 75.9%, and 89.4% for psychological, physical, and sexual violence, respectively. The North and Northeast states presented the lowest reporting rates among the states. VAW in Brazil is highly underreported by the health sector, showing the need for adequate training of health professionals to recognize situations of violence and raise awareness of the importance of reporting.

O objetivo do artigo é estimar a subnotificação da violência contra as mulheres (VCM) no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) a partir de dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), para o Brasil e as unidades federadas (UF). Estudo ecológico utilizando o SINAN e a PNS, ambos do ano de 2019. No SINAN, foram selecionadas as notificações de casos de violências sexual, física e psicológica contra mulheres com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos. Na PNS, foram selecionadas as mulheres da mesma faixa etária com relato de violência psicológica, física ou sexual que tenham procurado atendimento em saúde em razão de consequência relacionada à violência vivida. Calculou-se a subnotificação do SINAN a partir da estimativa da população da PNS para o Brasil e cada UF. A subnotificação de VCM no Brasil foi de 98,5%, 75,9% e 89,4% para as violências psicológica, física e sexual, respectivamente. Os estados do Norte e Nordeste apresentaram os menores índices de notificação entre as UF. A VCM no Brasil apresenta grande subnotificação no setor saúde, demonstrando a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais de saúde para o reconhecimento de situações de violência e conscientização da importância da notificação.

Gendered socialization and sexual violence - A socio-anthropological study in Togo.

This article bases its argument on the social representations that justify sexual violence against adolescent girls and women and make it commonplace. It looks at the constructions of masculinity and femininity and their potential effects on the occurrence of sexual violence among adolescent girls. This is a socio-anthropological study carried out in the plateau regions of Togo. The empirical data came from individual semi-directive interviews (55), life stories (4) of adolescent rape victims and group interviews (40) with several stakeholders (adolescents, parents of adolescents, educators, community leaders and religious leaders). The results show that despite the efforts of the State and non-governmental organisations, local sexuality logics often have an impact on the persistence of sexual violence. (.

Cet article fonde son argumentaire sur les représentations sociales qui justifient et rendent ordinaires les violences sexuelles sur les adolescentes et les femmes. Il appréhende les constructions de la masculinité et de la féminité et leurs effets potentiels sur la survenue des violences sexuelles chez les adolescentes. Il s'agit d'une étude socio-anthropologique réalisée dans la région des plateaux au Togo. Les données empiriques proviennent d'entretiens individuels semi-directifs (55), des histoires de vie (4) d'adolescentes victimes de viol et des entretiens de groupes (40) avec plusieurs acteurs (adolescent(e)s, parents d'adolescent(e)s, éducateurs, leaders communautaires et leaders religieux). Les résultats révèlent que, malgré les efforts des acteurs de l'Etat et des Organisations Non Gouvernementales, les logiques locales de la sexualité ont souvent des incidences sur la persistance des violences sexuelles.

Voluntary sector specialist service provision and commissioning for victim-survivors of sexual violence: results from two national surveys in England.

BACKGROUND: In England, voluntary sector specialist (VSS) services are central to supporting victim-survivors of sexual violence (SV). However, empirical evidence is lacking about the scope, range and effectiveness of VSS provision for SV in England. OBJECTIVES: To undertake national surveys to map SV VSS service provision and describe arrangements for funding and commissioning. DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: VSS services for SV and commissioners from multiple organisations across England (January-June 2021). METHODS: Senior staff working in VSS services and commissioners from multiple organisations were surveyed electronically. Surveys explored SV service commissioning, funding and delivery, partnerships between organisations, perceived unmet need for services, and views about facilitators and challenges. Data were analysed descriptively to characterise VSS service provision for SV and commissioning across England. RESULTS: 54 responses were received from VSS providers and 34 from commissioners. Data demonstrated a complex and evolving funding and commissioning landscape in which providers typically secured funding from multiple sources, impacting consistency and scope of service provision. It was common for multiple organisations to co-commission services, demonstrating trends towards larger contracts that may disadvantage smaller specialist providers. Numerous examples of partnership working between organisations were identified, although developing partnerships was noted as challenging, particularly between VSS organisations. There was clear evidence of unmet need for services, with some groups of victim-survivors such as those from black and minority ethnic groups, often underserved by specialist services. However, there was also evidence of innovative service development and commissioning approaches to meet the needs of victim-survivors who face challenges accessing services. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insights into SV service provision and commissioning in England, including unmet needs among victim-survivors.

An epigenome-wide study of a needs-based family intervention for offspring of trauma-exposed mothers in Kosovo.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal stress and trauma during pregnancy have been shown to influence cortisol levels and epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, in the offspring. This study aimed to determine whether a tailor-made family intervention could help reduce cortisol levels in children born to traumatized mothers, and to determine whether it effected offspring DNA methylation. The secondary aim was to determine whether the family intervention influenced DNA methylation aging, a marker of biological aging. METHODS: A needs-based family intervention was designed to help address relational difficulties and family functioning, and included a focus on family strengths and problem-solving patterns. Women survivors of sexual violence during the Kosovar war in 1998-1999, and their families (children with or without partners) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of a family therapy over a 3-5-month period, or to a waitlist control group. Both mothers and children completed assessments prior to and after the intervention phase. Children's blood samples collected at these two time points were used to measure cortisol and epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns (Illumina EPIC array). Cortisol levels, and genome-wide DNA methylation changes pre-/postintervention were compared between children in the intervention and the waitlist groups. DNA methylation age and accelerated biological aging were calculated. RESULTS: Sixty-two women-child dyads completed the study, 30 were assigned first to the intervention group, and 32 to the waitlist control group. In adjusted linear regression, the family intervention was associated with a significant decline in cortisol levels compared to the waitlist control (ß = -124.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -197.4 to -52.1, p = .001). Children in the intervention group, compared to the waitlist control group, showed >1% differential methylation degree at 5819 CpG (5'-C-phosphate-G-3') sites across the genome (p < .01), with the largest methylation difference being 21%. However, none of these differences reached genome-wide significant levels. There was no significant difference in DNA methylation aging between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We find evidence that a tailored family-based intervention reduced stress levels in the children (based on cortisol levels), and modified DNA methylation levels at a number of sites across the genome. This study provides some preliminary evidence to suggest the potential for tailored interventions to help break the intergenerational transmission of trauma, however, large studies powered to detect associations at genome-wide significant levels are needed.

Assessing the Reliability of the Sexual Violence Questionnaire in Sport among Spanish-Speaking Athletes.

The prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse in school sport, specifically by coaches against their athletes, remains a concerning and pervasive issue. In an attempt to better understand and prevent specific coach-behaviours associated with such sexual misconduct, researchers have developed the Sexual Violence Questionnaire in Sport. While the reliability of this measurement tool has been tested in Anglo-Saxon cultural contexts, it is not known whether the questionnaire is applicable to other cultural contexts. This study aimed to analyse the internal consistency and reliability of the questionnaire on sexual harassment in sport, originally designed and developed in English. A sample of 146 (52 female, 94 male) undergraduate students from a university in the Basque Country participated in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was administered twice over a two-week period to assess test-retest reliability. The internal consistency of the Sexual Violence Questionnaire in Sport was high, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.891 for perceptions and 0.813 for experiences across all participants. Gender-specific analysis showed similar reliability, with females having slightly lower alpha values for perceptions. Although significant differences were observed between the test and the retest on eight perception items and one experience item, Cohen's kappa analysis indicated agreement on all items; however, some of them were low (e.g., 0.13). In conclusion, the study highlights the questionnaire's overall reliability and suggests its effectiveness as a tool for measuring sexual violence in sport within the Spanish context. Nonetheless, the findings of this study underscore the need for further research to enhance the instrument's stability and to better understand gender differences in perceptions and experiences of sexual violence in sport contexts.

Sexual Violence against Adults Aged 50 Years and Older and Implications for Prevention: A Thematic Analysis of Service Providers' Perceptions.

At-risk older adults and older survivors of sexual violence (SV) remain largely absent from SV prevention and intervention, owing to ageism and sexism, as well as other intersectional forms of prejudice, including among service providers (e.g., social workers, healthcare professionals, practitioners in SV organizations, and practitioners who serve older adults). This study explored perceptions, knowledge and experiences with SV against adults 50 years and older. Service providers who work with older adults and/or survivors were recruited, owing to where SV in later life is reported (e.g., healthcare, long-term care, and social service organizations, and to police in addition to SV service organizations), to contribute to the limited research in this area and to advance prevention and intervention. A survey was conducted on SV in later life, exploring knowledge, perceptions and experiences with SV in later life along with potential solutions for prevention and intervention among 126 service providers who worked with survivors and/or older adults. Their responses were thematically analyzed. Five themes were identified: (a) misconceptions of SV in later life and unique barriers to preventing it; (b) needs for knowledge, awareness, research and education; (c) policy and resource development; (d) victim blame and internalized stigma, and (e) ageism, intersectional prejudice and rape culture. The findings offer an in-depth understanding of barriers to prevention, and intervention, and multi-level recommendations for addressing them, which are provided by a diverse group of service providers who have worked with older adults and/or with survivors, reflecting multidisciplinary practice wisdom and experience.

Research with women sexual assault survivors presenting for emergency care is safe: Results from a multi-site, prospective observational cohort study.

A barrier to research with sexual assault survivors is the concern that research participation might be a negative experience for participants. We report the experiences with research of adult women sexual assault survivors participating in a large-scale, multi-site, prospective observational study that enrolled participants at the time of presentation for emergency care. Participants (n = 706, M = 28 years of age; 57% white, 15% Black) self-reported their experience with research 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year post-assault. The vast majority rated the research experience as positive (95-97%), reported no drawbacks (84-89%), and felt that participating was worth it (93-95%). Positive experiences with research remained stable across the year, were generally consistent across demographic and clinical groups, and were reflected in qualitative comments. Given the tremendous morbidity experienced by sexual assault survivors and lack of progress in developing improved treatments for this population, ethically-conducted research with sexual assault survivors receiving emergency care should be encouraged.

Method Matters: Integrating Trauma-Informed Principles into Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Research.

Psychiatric and mental health (PMH) nurses integrate the concept of trauma-informed care into practice, policy, and education. Despite the frequency of PMH nurses practicing in a trauma-informed manner, there is a paucity of literature focused on integrating trauma-informed principles into research methods. Professions outside of the nursing sphere, specifically social work and social sciences, predominate the discourse around trauma-informed research. The authors of this manuscript provide detailed methods on a project using trauma-informed qualitative research methods with a feminist perspective. Semi-structured interviews with ten individuals with an experience of sexual violence answered the research question: what is the retrospective experience of women who encountered sexual violence in post-secondary education? An important part of the research design was an informal debrief with the audio recorder off, after the interview. Field notes were taken within this debrief, and participants reviewed these field notes as part of the member-checking process. By explaining the methods used in detail, referencing the available literature, and using the critical reflection of participants captured in the field notes, the authors of this manuscript explore strengths, conflicts, and boundary issues PMH nurses need to consider when integrating trauma-informed research methods into their research practices.

Sexual gender-based violence among adolescent girls and young women during COVID-19 pandemic, Mid-Eastern Uganda.

Introduction: global studies indicate that sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) may increase during pandemics including COVID-19. The Mid-Eastern region in Uganda was of concern due to the high prevalence of intimate partner sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Due to limited data, we investigated factors associated with SGBV among AGYW during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Uganda, in April 2022. Methods: we listed all AGYW 10-24 years who obtained SGBV services at 10 high-volume health facilities from March 2020 to December 2021, the main COVID-19 period in Uganda. We conducted a case-control study among these AGYW. A case was ≥1 SGBV episode experienced by an AGYW aged 10-24 years residing in the Tororo and Busia districts. For every randomly selected case from the health facility line list, we identified two neighbourhood-matched AGYW controls who reported no SGBV. We interviewed 108 and 216 controls on socio-demographics, socio-economics, and SGBV experiences during COVID-19. We conducted logistic regression to identify associated factors. Results: among 389 SGBV cases, the mean age was 16.4 (SD± 1.6: range 10-24) years, and 350 (90%) were aged 15-19 years. Among 108 cases interviewed, 79 (73%) reported forced sex. Most (n=73; 68%) knew the perpetrator. In multivariate analysis, self-reported SGBV before the COVID-19 period [aOR=5.8, 95%CI: 2.8-12] and having older siblings [aOR=1.9, 95%: CI 1.1-3.4] were associated with SGBV during the period. Living with a family that provided all the basic needs was protective [aOR=0.42, 95%: CI 0.23-0.78]. Conclusion: previous SGBV experiences and family dynamics, such as having older siblings, increased the odds of SGBV during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda. Conversely, a supportive family environment was protective. Identifying, supporting, and enacting protective interventions for SGBV victims and socioeconomically vulnerable AGYW could reduce the burden of SGBV during similar events.

Family Therapy for Kosovar Mothers Who Experienced Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Their Children in Postwar Times: A Pilot Randomised Waitlist-Controlled Trial.

Women who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence report significant long-term effects, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and relationship difficulties. Research has demonstrated that maternal trauma is associated with children's behavioural difficulties and challenges in family functioning, such as impaired communication and harsh parenting. This pilot study is aimed at evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of family therapy for Kosovar mothers who experienced conflict-related sexual violence in 1998-1999 and later developed PTSD and their children in improving family functioning and reducing behavioural difficulties in postwar times. Sixty-four mothers were randomised to an intervention group or a waitlist control group. Data was collected during a screening phase, at baseline before intervention initiation, after the intervention group completed family therapy and once the waitlist control group received the intervention. Generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse group differences in family functioning and children's behaviours over time. At follow-up, mothers in the intervention group reported improved family functioning. However, mothers in the waitlist control group reported significantly fewer behavioural difficulties than mothers in the intervention group before the control group had started family therapy. There was no significant interaction between group condition and time for child-rated family functioning. Overall, this pilot study suggests that family therapy could be effective in reducing the effects of intergenerational trauma related to PTSD and conflict-related sexual violence. Future research should evaluate the long-term effects of family therapy to assess if immediate effects were maintained.

Lifetime sexual violence among transgender women and travestis (TGW) in Brazil: Prevalence and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with sexual violence in transgender women and travestis (TGW) in Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five Brazilian cities (Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador, and São Paulo) between 2019 and 2021. Participants were recruited using the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) technique. The outcome of interest is the self-reported experience of sexual violence throughout the respondents' lifetime. We evaluated the actions taken by victims of sexual violence and how they dealt with the experience. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the associations between sociodemographic and behavioral factors (such as race, income, drug use, sex work, and access to healthcare) and the outcome. RESULTS: A total of 1,317 TGW were interviewed. Among them, 53% (n=698) reported experiencing sexual violence. For 64.4% (n=419) of the respondents, sexual violence occurred on more than one occasion. The majority of TGW did not seek health services (93.2%, n=648), disclose the violence (93.9%, n=653), nor seek support from family or friends (86.5%, n=601). A higher prevalence of sexual violence was associated with homelessness (adjusted prevalence ratio - aPR=1.69, 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.01-2.84), a history of engaging in sex work (aPR=2.04, 95%CI 1.46-2.85), self-reporting regular, bad, or very bad emotional health (aPR=1.67, 95%CI 1.28-2.19), and experiencing difficulties accessing health services in the previous year (aPR=2.78, 95%CI 1.74-4.43). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of sexual violence, analyzed together with the actions of the victims, indicates a context of high vulnerability and low institutional support. In this scenario, violence can be exacerbated, resulting in severe health consequences.

Feelings expressed by professionals caring for children and teenagers victims of sexual violence.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the feelings expressed by health professionals when caring for child and adolescent victims of sexual violence from the theoretical perspective of Symbolic Interactionism. METHOD: qualitative research carried out with 30 female health professionals. An instrument was used consisting of closed questions for sociodemographic data and a script with open questions for interviews. The data was organized and analyzed using Nvivo software version 12, according to Bardin's proposal, from the perspective of Symbolic Interactionism in the work of Charles Morris. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: five thematic categories emerged, revealing feelings of empathy, fear, indignation, suffering, and consternation. These feelings remained in the interviewees' memories, making caring for child and adolescent victims of sexual violence a moving and difficult experience that deeply marks the life of the health professional. CONCLUSION: there is a need to adopt strategies to support the mental health of professionals who work in services that provide general care to children and adolescents, considering that there is a possibility that they will provide care to child and adolescent victims of sexual violence in compliance with pre-existing public policies. HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Feelings stem from individual impressions in line with social interaction. (2) Caring for child and adolescent victims has a negative impact on professionals' emotions. (3) Service managers need to pay attention to the health of professionals who assist victims.