Measuring Progress, Driving Solutions event will highlight ways to end child violence

The Measuring Progress, Driving Solutions event aims to provide participants with important knowledge on how they can help end sexual violence against children. Photo: Supplied

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Together for Girls, the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children and the SVRI has joined forces by aligning their latest resources to measure progress and drive solutions to end sexual violence against children. The teams at these organizations will discuss their resources and how countries are measuring progress, as well as driving change to end sexual violence against children at the Measuring Progress, Driving Solutions event on 22 October at SVRI Forum 2019 at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

Leading speakers at this event include Katherine Stewart, Consultant on Public Policy at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Dr. Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together for Girls, and Dr. M. Catherine Maternowska, Data, Evidence and Learning at the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children. Resources that speakers and panelists will discuss include the Out Of the Shadows Index, the What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children evidence review and the INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children framework.

Everyone should use the evidence-based resources available

Katherine Stewart, Consultant on Public Policy at the EIU, says everyone can use these resources globally, sharing information, volunteering to implement the solutions, measuring progress of solutions implemented or helping with funding to end sexual abuse against children. She says it is vital all countries measure the actions they are taking to end sexual violence against children so they drive progress to end to this devastating problem once and for all.

“Child sexual abuse is universal; child sexual abuse is also preventable. These resources, taken together can move countries from analysis of the problem to the multi-sectoral design and implementation of robust programmes to end violence. The EIU, Together For Girls and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children are together to increase awareness, understanding, change thinking and help individuals to act to reduce this problem across the world,” says Stewart.

Sexual violence against children is prolific but often hidden

Dr. Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together for Girls, says for far too long sexual violence against children has been hidden, unseen, and under-reported. Data from the Violence Against Children Surveys, led by CDC as part of the Together for Girls partnership, shows that both girls and boys experience high rates of sexual violence, which can have devastating emotional, health and socio-economic consequences.

“But there is good news: The consensus is that sexual violence against children is preventable. What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children highlights the latest, evidence-based, cost-effective strategies to prevent sexual violence against children. It showcases that we need to work across sectors to see real change, and we all have a role to play in prevention. Together, we can make a difference,” says Dr. Ligiero.

What is the Out Of the Shadows Index?

The Out Of the Shadows Index (OOSI) is a benchmarking tool, by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), that maps how 60 countries are responding to sexual violence against children, highlighting progress needed and indicating factors that drive change to end sexual violence against children. The OOSI was developed with international experts drawing on the latest available quantitative data and qualitative research. It covers 85% of the population under 19 years of age. The countries in the Index are given an aggregate score out of 100 in four categories of environment; legal framework; government commitment and capacity; and engagement of industry, society and media.

What is INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children?

In 2016, 10 agencies developed INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children, a framework of strategies and interventions that can be used to prevent and respond to violence against children. Each evidence-based strategy is accompanied by a description of the intervention, a guide for implementation and a recommended set of indicators. These strategies have shown to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence against children by modifying risk factors for violence and reducing its consequences.

What is the What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children evidence review?

The What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children evidence review is the first of its’ kind review which uses the INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children framework, but focusses on sexual violence to identify proven solutions to prevent sexual abuse in childhood. This resource is made up of strategies based on the best available evidence to help countries and communities intensify their focus on prevention programmes and services to reduce sexual abuse against children.

The time to end child sexual violence is now

Dr. M. Catherine Maternowska, Data, Evidence and Learning at the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, says "Used together these resources can help inform both policymakers and practitioners on how to best reduce violence against children". She says, "By implementing these strategies globally we can effectively reduce sexual violence and increase children's well-being assuring healthier transitions into adulthood."

The Measuring Progress, Driving Solutions event aims to generate discussion and provide participants with important knowledge on how they can help end sexual violence against children. “The EIU, Together for Girls and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children share a common goal to collectively, with partners around the world, create a safer world for every child,” says Maternowska.

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MEDIA QUERIES

Contact Lisa Dewberry at lisa@lisadewberrymedia.com or 0027 65 903 2022

OOSI: www.outoftheshadows.eiu.com

Economist Intelligence Unit: www.eiu.com

Together for Girls: www.togetherforgirls.org Global Partnership to End Violence: www.end-violence.org

SVRI: www.svri.org