The Scientific Committee invites submission of abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The abstract submission deadline is 31 May 2011. No abstracts will be accepted after this date.
Through the newly launched SVRI Publication Mentoring Programme the Sexual Violence Research Initiative would like to encourage abstract submissions for the SVRI Forum 2011 from new and emerging researchers in the field of sexual violence. This Programme will provide opportunity for young / less experienced abstract submitters to receive feedback on their abstracts from more experienced researchers. The program is especially targeted at researchers from developing countries who lack access to opportunities for mentoring in research and writing. By providing this opportunity, we also expect to increase the number of abstract submissions among early-career researchers at the SVRI Forum 2011.
Abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee that reserves the right to accept and allocate abstracts for either poster or oral presentation. Authors will be notified by 30 June 2011 if their abstract has been accepted.
All authors of accepted abstracts must be registered as delegates for the conference.
Please note: The method of submission is online. No faxed copies will be accepted.
Oral Presentations
Selected oral presentations must be in English, no longer than 10 minutes duration, plus five minutes for questions.
Poster Presentations
Accepted posters will be on display in a prominent position throughout the conference. Poster should measure 90 cm (width) and approximately 1.2m (height). Full details for the preparation of posters will be included in the abstract acceptance letter.
Guidelines for abstract submission
Instructions for preparing the abstract document (Example in pdf format):
* Abstract must be typed in single spacing, be clear and legible.
* Abstract must be submitted in English
* Abstract title in boldface, capital letters (uppercase) and centred
* Presenting author to be underlined (Please do not underline co-authors)
* Institutions affiliations, city, state for all authors
* Where appropriate, the text may be structured using the following headings:
o Introduction or Objectives
o Methods
o Results
o Conclusions
* Number of words for whole abstract (250, excluding Title, Authors and Institutions)
Themes
Responding to Rape: Models of Care
Good quality holistic care for rape victims can play a critical role in both recovery and supporting the transition from rape victim to survivor. Many survivors/victims of sexual violence receive assistance, care and support from family and friends and often a range of other agencies, including non-governmental organisations, social services, health workers, the police and legal systems. Globally, responses are very diverse, with differences influenced by the level of resources, status of women, and a range of other factors. In many settings, what services are being provided, by whom, and what works at what level is still unknown. Key areas for SVRI Forum 2011 include:
* Research on the barriers to access and use of services and on how to deliver good quality services for women, men and children, in different settings;
* Research on the different types of mental health services that are feasible in resource poor settings;
* Research on how to assess the quality of violence-related services from women’s perspectives; and
* Strategies to effectively address both intimate partner violence and sexual violence by non-partners in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Conflict and Crisis
Rape is increasingly used in war time to brutalize and humiliate civilians, as a tactic of war and political power and in campaigns of ethnic cleansing. Women and girls who have experienced rape have been psychologically and physically injured, and in the aftermath often find themselves at the margins of society. The UN Security Council identifies rape as a threat to global security. The short and long-term health effects of sexual violence in war are difficult to estimate. The violence and the inequalities that women face in crises do not exist in a vacuum but are the direct results and reflections of the violence, discrimination and marginalization that women face in times of relative peace. There are, however, particular aspects relevant to sexual violence in conflict. The SVRI Forum 2011 would like to explore and understand the context of rape in different conflicts in a more nuanced way, and would like to encourage more focused research on:
* Engaging the community in prevention and response, particularly addressing stigma, fear and rejection.
* Role of economic empowerment in women’s recovery/prevention.
* Integration of mental health responses in sexual reproductive health services.
* Men as victims of sexual violence.
* Children of rape.
* Perpetration and the role of command structures in it.
More information here.
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