No more sexual violence

The term sexual violence refers to the act of coercion or threat towards a person with the aim of getting them to carry out a certain sexual behavior. By extension, examples of sexual violence are also considered to be "unwelcome sexual comments or advances, or actions to commercialize or otherwise use a person's sexuality through coercion due to the person's relationship with the victim, in any way." environment, including the home or workplace."

Sexual violence manifests itself with aggressive acts that, through the use of physical, mental or moral force, reduce a person to conditions of inferiority to impose sexual behavior against their will. This is an act that fundamentally seeks to subdue the body and will of the victims. Sexual violence includes acts such as sexual abuse, sexual assault and rape. These acts are crimes and are a very serious form of abuse. Sexual violence can have physical, psychological and emotional consequences on the victims. Often, victims of sexual violence have problems with depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, disorder.

It destroys the lives of millions of people around the world: it can occur in any society at any time but is often escalated in conflict and displacement. We work to heal the wounds of abuse. Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a medical emergency.

We fight and work to make comprehensive health care available to survivors of sexual violence in all our projects, regardless of their age or gender. Sexual violence destroys the lives of millions of people around the world. It can occur in any society at any time, but often increases in unstable situations, such as armed conflict. Sexual violence is stigmatized and complex; It has long-lasting consequences and can cause risks to both physical and psychological health.

What is sexual and gender violence?

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) encompasses many different acts of violence against women, girls, boys and men, ranging from rape to genital mutilation. In conflicts, rape is often used as a weapon or as a reward for soldiers. Rape and other forms of sexual abuse are also used as a means of torture or, in some cases, as a strategy to spread HIV/AIDS within a community.

Medical consequences

Sexual and gender-based violence can have a wide variety of medical consequences that affect physical and reproductive health. Physical injuries can range from stab wounds, fractures and bleeding to vaginal fistulas. People who experience sexual abuse are also more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV. These are most likely to be transmitted through forced sexual intercourse, as vaginal or anal tears provide an entry for the virus. Another medical consequence can be unwanted pregnancies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), women who have suffered sexual violence are twice as likely to have an abortion. Abortions performed under unsafe conditions often have more consequences for reproductive health.

Psychological consequences

Survivors of sexual violence often suffer serious and varied psychological effects. It is common for a person to feel guilty and think that the incident could have been avoided. Loss of control and trust can also affect a survivor's ability to form relationships with others. These feelings are often accompanied by clinical conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. The mental health of someone who has experienced sexual violence can be further deteriorated by stigmatization. In some cultures, partners and family members reject survivors, and some communities even humiliate people who have been raped.

Violence against women is a serious public health problem and a violation of human rights. It manifests itself in various forms, including sexual violence.

Data and numbers

Violence against women - especially that perpetrated by their partners and sexual violence - constitutes a serious public health problem and a violation of women's human rights.

Global estimates published by the WHO indicate that around one in three (30%) women in the world have suffered physical and/or sexual violence from a partner or sexual violence by third parties at some point in their lives.

Most of the time the aggressor is the partner. Worldwide, almost a third (27%) of women ages 15 to 49 who have been in a relationship report having experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their partner.

Violence can negatively impact women's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health and, in some settings, may increase the risk of contracting HIV.

Violence against women can be prevented. The health sector has an important role to play in providing comprehensive health care to women experiencing violence, and as an entry point to refer them to other support services they may need.