This flyer was created for communities to use to promote the U.S. National Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims.  Learn more about the Fund.
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This report from Amnesty International notes that sexual violence was widespread in Haiti before January 2010 has been exacerbated by the conditions since the earthquake. The limited assistance the authorities previously  provided has been undermined by the destruction of police stations and court houses. This has made it more difficult to report sexual violence.  Over 50 survivors of sexual violence shared their experiences for the study which highlights how the lack of security and policing in and around the camps is a major factor for the increase in attacks.

Additional Resources

NSVRC Preventing Sexual Violence in Disasters Resource Collection

Haiti's emergency response must include protection from sexual violence (News story, 25 March 2010)
 

Haiti: After the earthquake: Initial mission findings (Briefing, 25 March 2010)

Sexual violence in Haitian camps of the displaced, beyond the numbers (Blog, 22 March 2010)
 

Human rights must be at the core of relief efforts and the reconstruction of Haiti (Public statement, 25 January 2010)

 

This two-page fact sheet is based on information from the NSVRC publication Sexual Violence in Disasters: A Planning Guide for Prevention and Response.  It provides basic information about  the risk of sexual violence during and after times of disaster and some basic prevention strategies. Please see our online collection on this topic for additional resources.
 

The following UNFPA report indicates women, especially poor women living in developing countries, are more susceptible to the negative effects of climate change. The report also identified that increased contraceptive access, increased participation of women in policymaking, and increased civil rights could help alleviate the affects of climate change, according to the Voice of America.
Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate

This Human Rights Watch report discusses sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan’s Darfur region. The report discusses the history of the Darfur conflict, failed attempts to reduce sexual violence in Darfur, and barriers that victims encounter.
 
Five Years On: No Justice for Sexual Violence in Darfur

The following report explores the disproportionate vulnerability of women in disaster situations and offers recommendations for changing the effects of disasters on women's lives.
 
Caught in the Storm

This document follows on a 2006 Expert Consultation on Ethical, Safety and Methodological Issues in Researching, Monitoring and Documenting Sexual Violence in Emergencies. The document addresses the unique set of challenges when collecting and using information about sexual violence and provides much needed guidance in the area of ethical and safety guidelines specific to collection of information about sexual violence in emergencies.
WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies

Recollections of a Hurricane, Consent and the Court of Pubilc Opinion, CSA in the Bearing Straits and more . . .