A situation analysis of care and support for rape survivors at first point of contact in India and Bangladesh

Abstract

for their extensive support to conduct the study. We are thankful to doctors working at the Department of Forensic Medicine (FM), Department of Gynae and Obstetrics, and Emergency Department, doctors working at One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) and the Officers In-Charge (OC) in respective Thanas for providing relevant information. Thanks are due to Dr. Shimul Koli Hossain and Dr. Shahadat Hossain for helping us in collecting information. We are thankful to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for providing resources.

Voice and agency: empowering women and girls for shared prosperity

“…And judges in Bangladesh and India typically felt women abused by their spouse were partly to blame. 115 In Nepal, less than 5 percent of the police force is female, and in India, an overwhelming majority of police still view domestic violence as a private affair. Failure to prosecute remains a significant barrier to women accessing justice in many countries, including in Guatemala where of the more than 20,000 cases of femicide and domestic violence filed in 2011, fewer than 3 percent of those that reached the courts resulted in a judgment.…”

“…Vouchers are distributed to adolescents and youth by nongovernmental organizations in markets, outside schools, in clinics, on the streets, and door-to-door, and they can be transferred to another adolescent. 115 Innovations in ICTs show promise in improving quality and access, including through enhanced social accountability, although more rigorous evaluations are needed in developing country settings. 116 The following suggest promising directions: New partnerships using ICTs are also emerging.…”

An exploratory qualitative analysis of rape myths in India

“…The problem is that rape is not seen as a crime against an individual's physical autonomy but as an honor issue. Interview‐based research on police and medical professionals in India and Bangladesh found that participants emphasized the shame brought to the woman's family (Khan et al., 2008). Yamawaki (2007), presenting a similar view, highlighted that rape is seen as a loss of face in Japanese culture due to collectivistic feelings, which obstructs rape reporting.…”

The health of vulnerable adolescent girls: A strategic investment for double return

“…Girls who experience sexual violence-and there are many-require an immediate and effective health-system response that includes emergency contraception (EC) and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as well as mental health and legal services. 18 Evidence shows that few young women use a contraceptive method of any kind at first sex. 19 Adolescent girls' access to contraception is limited because of their own lack of information and skills, and because most reproductive health services around the world are not designed to reach them or meet their needs.…”