A review and evaluation of multi-sectoral response services ('one-stop centers') for gender-based violence in Kenya and Zambia

Abstract

The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues-from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.

From the Evidence of Violence Against Children to a Prevention-Oriented Response in Malawi: Planning for Social Services with a Public Health Model for Social Work Engagement

“…Evaluation research indicated that programmatic effectiveness as survivors and their caregivers perceived the psychosocial support provided by OSCs to be highly effective (Keesbury 2012). Those interviewed reported that they used OSC care repeatedly, including returning for follow-ups, counseling, and support group meetings.…”

“…Integrated legal assistance was also appreciated as a beneficial service. The privacy and confidentiality afforded to survivors were also identified positively in survivor satisfaction reports (Keesbury 2012). In this model, social casework is of particular importance in the immediate and long-term (aftercare) social services.…”

“…A 2011 study details several different OSC models in two African countries, Kenya and Zambia, including the health care facility-based model and the community-based nongovernmental organization model (Keesbury 2012). Evaluation research indicated that programmatic effectiveness as survivors and their caregivers perceived the psychosocial support provided by OSCs to be highly effective (Keesbury 2012).…”

“…Overall, outcomes indicate greater service accessibility and efficacy across the health, psychosocial, and legal services domains. As a result, OSCs have been established globally in both high-and low-resource countries (Keesbury 2012). As a service integration system, this collaborative care model helps ensure that survivors receive coordinated care attending to a range of physical and emotional needs.…”

“…As a result, One Stop Centers (OSCs) are undergoing rapid development as a total care approach to provide these multiple interventions in a single setting (e.g., medical and psychosocial assessment, counseling, case management, etc.). OSCs constitute a service integration model that is typically engaged in crisis situations for survivors of violence (Keesbury 2012).…”