AJPH -- eLetters for Kerimova et al., 93 (7) 1067-1070

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RESEARCH AND PRACTICE:
Jamila Kerimova, Samuel F. Posner, Y. Teresa Brown, Susan Hillis, Susan Meikle, and Ann Duerr
High Prevalence of Self-Reported Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Internally Displaced Women in Azerbaijan
Am J Public Health 2003; 93: 1067-1070 [Full text] [PDF]

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Determinants of and interventions regarding sexual violence towards women: Ntambwe Malangu (11 November 2003)

Determinants of and interventions regarding sexual violence towards women 11 November 2003

Ntambwe Malangu,
DrPH Student, Lecturer
National School of Public Health, MEDUNSA
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Re: Determinants of and interventions regarding sexual violence towards women

gmalangu{at}medunsa.ac.za Ntambwe Malangu

Kerimova et al ended their report by stating that “further study of sexual violence toward women is needed to elucidate the problem and lay foundation for eliminating it”. Studies from South Africa2-4 conducted by different researchers using methods such as focus group discussions, interviews with victims and perpetrators, have shown that determinants for forced sexual intercourse or rape include cultural and behavioral factors. Of the cultural factors, belief systems relating to patriarchial notion of masculinity, normalization of interpersonal violence and physical abuse of women, peer norms related to sexual behavior, as well as weak community level social controls, are all supportive of rape. With regard to behavioral factors, lack of negotiating and assertiveness skills, commodification of sex, aggressive and impulsive behavior resulting from the lack of adult role models and inadequate parental monitoring of adolescents, as well as the influence of alcohol and drug abuse, contribute to rape. Some of the above factors could also explain the rationale for rape in displaced and refugee settlements besides the added burden of stress, deprivation and other conditions that would prevail in the specific situations. Interventions to mitigate rape involve educational, managerial and regulatory approaches. Educational approaches include teaching and training the youth, perpetrators and victims on normative concepts of sexual behavior, refusal skills5, and enticing teachers and parents to talk to children about sex. Managerial approaches would involve the setting of counseling centers, the involvement of more stakeholders such as health care workers for instance in the routine screening of partner’s violence initiative6, and rehabilitation of perpetrators. Regulatory approaches would include the responsiveness of the judicial system, the imposition of heavy sentences that might act as deterrent, as well as strategies that ensure that the public, have trust in the system. Unfortunately the above interventions have not proven themselves efficacious enough to eliminate this scourge.
References 1. Kerimova J, Posner SF, Brown T, Hillis S,, Meikle S, Duerr A. High prevalence of self-reported forced sexual intercource among internally displaced women in Azebaijan. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(7):1067-1070. 2. Petersen I and Bhana A. What put adolescents at risk? ChildrenFirst August/Septmber 2003;7(50):19-21. 3. Human Rights Watch (2001). Scared at school: Sexual violence against girls in South African schools. New York: Human Rights Watch. 4. De Wet WF. A psychological study of rape in Bloemfontein townships. Dissertation. University of the Orange Free State. South Africa: 1995. 5. Hanson KA, and Gidyz CA. Evaluation of a sexual assault prevention programme. J Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1993;61:1046-1052. 6. Hudson Scholle S, Buranosky R, Hanusa BH, Ranieri L, Dowd K, Valappil B. Routine screening for intimate partner violence in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(7):1070-1072.