Citation

Albezreh S, Anastario M, Ulibarrí BJ, Naimer K, Johnson K, McHale T, Mishori R, Macias-Konstantopoulos WL, Olson R, Nelson BD. Violence Against Women 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778012221099984

PMID

35938230

Abstract

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) leads to severe sequelae for individuals and communities. Lack of cross-sector coordination inhibits effective medical-legal support and justice for survivors. Multisectoral trainings for health, legal, and law enforcement professionals on survivor-centered SGBV care were conducted in Kenya during 2012-2018. Evaluation utilized objective structured clinical examinations, standardized patients, knowledge assessments, and interviews. A total of 446 professionals participated in 18 trainings. Mean knowledge scores increased from 75.6% to 84.7% (p < .001). Thirty interviews revealed improved survivor confidentiality, increased specialized hospital care, more comprehensive forensic care, and greater cross-sector collaboration. Participants reported survivors feeling more comfortable pursuing legal action and increased perpetrator convictions.

Language: en

Keywords

sexual violence; sexual assault; gender-based violence; Kenya; forensic evidence