As interventions and evidence around GBV have been strengthened, increasing attention is being paid to the need for addressing sexual violence and exploitation of children and adolescents. This collection includes technical considerations, accompanying job aids, and a companion guide to strengthen the linkages between clinical and social services and help address and respond to the unique needs and rights of children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation. These resources focus on the delivery of clinical post-rape care services and include information on establishing services tailored to the unique needs of children and adolescents, preparing for and performing a head-to-toe physical examination, conducting forensics evidence collection, and ensuring follow-up care and referrals for psychosocial and community support services. These technical considerations, developed by PEPFAR in collaboration with Together For Girls partnership, are a result of a consultative process incorporating specialized input by experienced providers and technical experts.
Clinical Management of Children and Adolescents Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence
Both the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Health Initiative (GHI) emphasize preventing, monitoring, and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) as critical to strengthening overall health outcomes. Yet, significant barriers impede the provision of meaningful, effective services for children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence. In response to this gap, PEPFAR’s Gender, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and Pediatric Treatment Technical Working Groups developed technical considerations on post-rape care for persons under the age of 18 in primary health centers that also provide HIV care. This document should be used as a guide to help medical providers better address and respond to the unique needs and rights of children who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation.
This resource also has a companion guide, Strengthening Linkages between Clinical and Social Services for Children and Adolescents who Have Experienced Sexual Violence.
Clinical Management of Children and Adolescents Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence Job Aids
Medical providers who see children who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation must be prepared to engage appropriate health and community-based services in an effort to give children the best-possible chance at recovery and reintegration, as well as to provide follow-up support for caregivers/families.
Strengthening Linkages between Clinical and Social Services for Children and Adolescents who Have Experienced Sexual Violence: A Companion Guide
Sexual violence against children and adolescents is universally condemned but occurs much more frequently than people realize. It is a global human rights violation of vast proportions, with severe immediate and long-term health and social consequences. This document serves as a companion guide to the 2012 Clinical Management of Children and Adolescents Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence: Technical Considerations for PEPFAR Programs which provides step-by-step guidance on the appropriate clinical/forensic care for children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation. The companion guide provides a basic framework, examples, resources, and contact information for health providers and managers to better understand and facilitate linkages with critical social and community services for comprehensive care of children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation beyond the clinical exam, take additional steps to help children and adolescents receive the information and support their needs, contribute to changes in sociocultural norms that perpetuate a culture of violence and silence that can also increase HIV risk and vulnerability. The companion guide also contains several job aids.
Strengthening Linkages Between Clinical and Social/Community Services for Children and Adolescents who Have Experienced Sexual Violence Job Aids
These job aids are excerpts from the publication entitled, Strengthening Linkages Between Clinical and Social/Community Services for Children and Adolescents who Have Experienced Sexual Violence: A Companion Guide. The job aids are designed to help those involved in care and support for children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence learn the steps for effective case management, mobilize crisis intervention support, and set up a referral pathway/coordination network.
National Response Efforts to Address Sexual Violence and Exploitation Against Children in Lesotho, A Desktop Study
Scant data exists on the prevalence of violence against children worldwide. However, available information, including the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children, shows that violence against children is a global problem. This desktop study aims to glean from published and grey literature the extent of sexual violence and exploitation against children in Lesotho. The goal of this study is to better understand the government of Lesotho's national response efforts to reduce violence against children.
National Response Efforts to Address Sexual Violence and Exploitation Against Children in Mozambique: A Desktop Study
Scant data exists on the prevalence of violence against children worldwide. However, available information, including the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children, shows that this is a global problem. This desktop study aims to glean from published and grey literature the extent of sexual violence and exploitation against children in Mozambique. The goal of this study is to better understand the government of Mozambique's national response efforts to reduce violence against children.
Assessment Report: Post-Rape Care for Children in Mozambique
Scant data exists on the prevalence of violence against children worldwide. However, available information, including the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children, shows that this is a global problem. This desktop study aims to glean from published and grey literature the extent of sexual violence and exploitation against children in Mozambique. The goal of this study is to better understand the government of Mozambique's national response efforts to reduce violence against children.
Situational Analysis on Post-Rape Care of Children in Lesotho
The purpose of this situation analysis was to understand what supports and hinders effective care for children who have experience sexual violence and exploitation in Lesotho. The study examined the services being implemented, facilitated, or provided by community- and facility-based partners (USG-funded and other groups, including the Government of Lesotho [GOL]) for children who have experienced sexual violence and exploitation; what is working well; and where there are gaps. The situation analysis looked in particular for currently existing mechanisms that link health facilities and facility-based support to the community, and vice versa. It also focused on developing recommendations for PEPFAR/Lesotho regarding strengthening existing services and linkages between facilities and communities.