Journal Article > ReviewSubscription Only
World Policy J. 2013 September 1; Volume 30 (Issue 3); 65-77.; DOI:10.1177/0740277513506383
Cone J, Duroch F
World Policy J. 2013 September 1; Volume 30 (Issue 3); 65-77.; DOI:10.1177/0740277513506383
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2011 April 19; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 5.; DOI:10.1186/1472-698X-11-5
Duroch F, McRae M, Grais RF
BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2011 April 19; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 5.; DOI:10.1186/1472-698X-11-5
BACKGROUND
The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been the subject of numerous studies related to the problem of sexual violence. Historically, such violence is known to be part of strategic war plans to conquer and destroy communities, but it is now unfortunately prevalent in times of relative calm.
METHODS
We describe the characteristics and consequences of sexual violence in Ituri province of Democratic Republic of Congo through the retrospective analysis of 2,565 patients who received medical care in the Medecins Sans Frontieres sexual violence clinic in the capital of Ituri province, Bunia, between September 2005 and December 2006. Using a standardised questionnaire, we report patients' demographics, number and status of aggressor(s), forced detention and violent threats among other variables for all patients presenting for medical consultation after a sexually violent event during this period.
RESULTS
Ninety-six percent of our cohort were female and 29.3% minors, 18-29 years was the most represented age group. Acts of sexual violence (n= 2,565) were reported to be mainly perpetrated by men with military affiliations (73%), although civilians were implicated in 21% of crimes. The attack was perpetrated by two or more persons in over 74% of cases and most commonly perpetrators were unknown armed males, (87.2%). Male victims accounted for 4% (n=103) of our cohort. Forty-eight percent of our patients reported being attacked whilst performing daily domestic duties outside the home and 18% of victims being detained by their perpetrators, the majority of whom were held for less than 2 weeks (61.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
The characteristics of sexually violent acts in Ituri province during this period cannot be simply explained as a 'weapon of war' as described in the literature, meaning the use of sexual violence within a military strategy where it is employed under the orders of a commander to harm a particular community. Whilst the majority of aggressions were by armed men there was an important proportion in which civilian perpetrators were implicated. This type of violence has become part of the general characteristics of violence in this war-torn population. Sometimes, as a means for some military factions to acquire remuneration with impunity and for some civilians, a means to counteract confronting, changing social norms occurring during chronic conflict.
The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been the subject of numerous studies related to the problem of sexual violence. Historically, such violence is known to be part of strategic war plans to conquer and destroy communities, but it is now unfortunately prevalent in times of relative calm.
METHODS
We describe the characteristics and consequences of sexual violence in Ituri province of Democratic Republic of Congo through the retrospective analysis of 2,565 patients who received medical care in the Medecins Sans Frontieres sexual violence clinic in the capital of Ituri province, Bunia, between September 2005 and December 2006. Using a standardised questionnaire, we report patients' demographics, number and status of aggressor(s), forced detention and violent threats among other variables for all patients presenting for medical consultation after a sexually violent event during this period.
RESULTS
Ninety-six percent of our cohort were female and 29.3% minors, 18-29 years was the most represented age group. Acts of sexual violence (n= 2,565) were reported to be mainly perpetrated by men with military affiliations (73%), although civilians were implicated in 21% of crimes. The attack was perpetrated by two or more persons in over 74% of cases and most commonly perpetrators were unknown armed males, (87.2%). Male victims accounted for 4% (n=103) of our cohort. Forty-eight percent of our patients reported being attacked whilst performing daily domestic duties outside the home and 18% of victims being detained by their perpetrators, the majority of whom were held for less than 2 weeks (61.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
The characteristics of sexually violent acts in Ituri province during this period cannot be simply explained as a 'weapon of war' as described in the literature, meaning the use of sexual violence within a military strategy where it is employed under the orders of a commander to harm a particular community. Whilst the majority of aggressions were by armed men there was an important proportion in which civilian perpetrators were implicated. This type of violence has become part of the general characteristics of violence in this war-torn population. Sometimes, as a means for some military factions to acquire remuneration with impunity and for some civilians, a means to counteract confronting, changing social norms occurring during chronic conflict.
Journal Article > CommentaryAbstract
Rev Int Croix Rouge. 2014 June 11; Volume 95; DOI:10.1017/S1816383114000186
SaDa C, Duroch F, Taithe B
Rev Int Croix Rouge. 2014 June 11; Volume 95; DOI:10.1017/S1816383114000186
The aim of this article is to carry out a preliminary analysis of issues relating to the types of violence that are directed against humanitarian medical missions. Starting from the observation that violence can cause some degree of disruption for a medical organisation such as Médecins Sans Frontières, despite its wide experience which has brought it much wisdom and generated numerous and sporadic responses to such events, the article offers a more subtle analysis of terms and of situations of violence so as to contribute to the establishment of a research project and, in a second phase, to an awareness-raising campaign focusing on these complex phenomena.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Glob Public Health. 2022 June 1; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 1-10.
Pasquero L, Staderini N, Duroch F
Glob Public Health. 2022 June 1; Volume 11 (Issue 1); 1-10.
BACKGROUND
This article shares the learnings of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’s experience of adapting its sexual violence care training for its staff and missions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2019. It explores some of the implications of MENA operational and sociocultural specificities for MSF’s training approach, as well as theoretical and practical aspects of working in sexual violence response in specific settings and addressing contextual structural barriers to survivors’ accessing such services. It contributes to sharing knowledge among practitioners about adapting a sexual violence training approach for different contexts.
METHODS
Methods employed included a scoping review of literature; qualitative data collection via consultations with MENA organisations and interviews with MSF experts and staff working in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Greece; collaborative content adaptation and issue integration; translation in Arabic and proofreading; testing of training modules in different settings; and feedback integration.
RESULTS
The adaptation work shows the importance of context and suggests that culturally and contextually adapted training bears potential for effectively strengthening staff members’ survivor-centered skills and attitudes, as well as technical knowledge and skills in care provision. The revision process shows that the overall approach of the training is constitutive to its effectiveness since the approach to – in addition to the substance of – most core principles and elements bears the potential to make training more acceptable and effective in encouraging staff reflectivity on local existing social and gender norms and their own beliefs and attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS
The article concludes that capacity-building efforts alone must not be overestimated in their ability to mobilize change in complex settings but highlights their potential to catalyze change if embedded in institutional longstanding efforts involving operational strategies, political advocacy and organizational culture. The process represents a first step which needs to be further tested, evaluated and continuously fed by MSF practice-based knowledge and dialogue with other organizations around response and training approaches and practices
This article shares the learnings of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)’s experience of adapting its sexual violence care training for its staff and missions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2019. It explores some of the implications of MENA operational and sociocultural specificities for MSF’s training approach, as well as theoretical and practical aspects of working in sexual violence response in specific settings and addressing contextual structural barriers to survivors’ accessing such services. It contributes to sharing knowledge among practitioners about adapting a sexual violence training approach for different contexts.
METHODS
Methods employed included a scoping review of literature; qualitative data collection via consultations with MENA organisations and interviews with MSF experts and staff working in Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Greece; collaborative content adaptation and issue integration; translation in Arabic and proofreading; testing of training modules in different settings; and feedback integration.
RESULTS
The adaptation work shows the importance of context and suggests that culturally and contextually adapted training bears potential for effectively strengthening staff members’ survivor-centered skills and attitudes, as well as technical knowledge and skills in care provision. The revision process shows that the overall approach of the training is constitutive to its effectiveness since the approach to – in addition to the substance of – most core principles and elements bears the potential to make training more acceptable and effective in encouraging staff reflectivity on local existing social and gender norms and their own beliefs and attitudes.
CONCLUSIONS
The article concludes that capacity-building efforts alone must not be overestimated in their ability to mobilize change in complex settings but highlights their potential to catalyze change if embedded in institutional longstanding efforts involving operational strategies, political advocacy and organizational culture. The process represents a first step which needs to be further tested, evaluated and continuously fed by MSF practice-based knowledge and dialogue with other organizations around response and training approaches and practices
Journal Article > ReviewAbstract
Rev Int Croix Rouge. 2015 March 30; Volume 96 (Issue 894); DOI:10.1017/S1816383115000107
Duroch F, Schulte-Hillen C
Rev Int Croix Rouge. 2015 March 30; Volume 96 (Issue 894); DOI:10.1017/S1816383115000107
Over the past ten years, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provided medical care to almost 118,000 victims of sexual violence. Integrating related care into MSF general assistance to populations affected by crisis and conflicts has presented a considerable institutional struggle and continues to be a challenge. Tensions regarding the role of MSF in providing care to victims of sexual violence and when facing the multiple challenges inherent in dealing with this crime persist. An overview of MSF’s experience and related reflection aims to share with the reader, on the one hand,the complexity of the issue, and on the other, the need to continue fighting for the provision of adequate medical care for victims of sexual violence,which despite the limitations is feasible.