Recent research conducted by the IRC showed 40% of girls in the DRC and 30% in Ethiopia experienced physical violence in the past twelve months. This is likely an underestimation as experiences of violence tend to be underreported.Īpproximately 150 million girls under the age of 20 have been subjected to forced sexual acts at some point in their lives.ĭue to their gender and age, adolescent girls are incredibly vulnerable to violence in conflict-affected settings. Recent research found that one in five refugee or displaced women experience sexual violence. One in three women will face gender-based violence (GBV) in her lifetime.ĭuring times of conflict and crisis, as structures and support systems that protect women and girls are broken down, women are at an even higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence.

Exposure to adversity and violence and the resulting toxic stress can lead to life-long physical and mental health problems, lower educational achievement and aggressive and violent behavior in adulthood. Research shows that violence causes harm in all areas of a child’s development, including how they grow, learn and relate to the people around them. In some countries, more than one in four girls and between one in ten and one in five boys experience sexual violence before the age of eighteen.

In 23 countries, most of which are conflict-affected, one in five children experience the most severe and unthinkable forms of corporal punishment. 60 percent of children aged two to fourteen-nearly one billion children around the world-experience physical punishment by their caregivers on a regular basis. Violence against children (VAC) affects half of all children globally, and children in conflict settings are at even greater risk. They often lack legal status, have no legal protections, are at risk of exploitation and abuse, and are excluded from basic services such as health care and education.Įvery five minutes a child dies as a result of violence. Most displaced people are hosted in developing countries, creating a precarious protection situation. Refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and other marginalized groups are extremely vulnerable and require protection against violence and human rights violations, and access to adequate legal and rights information. During crises, government institutions that guarantee basic human rights and protection to their citizens are broken down. WHY OUR WORK MATTERSĪrmed conflicts and natural disasters have spurred a global displacement crisis, with more than 60 million people displaced worldwide, more than half of whom are women and children. The Violence, Prevention and Response (VPR) unit implements programming that prevents violence against women, children, especially girls, and other vulnerable groups, and responds to it when it does occur. Our vision is that the IRC will lead the humanitarian field by implementing high-impact, cost-effective programs for people affected by crisis, and shape global policy and practice by sharing our learning and experience with others.Īll IRC programs are designed to achieve meaningful change in people’s health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and ability to influence the decisions that affect their lives. The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Resource: Violence prevention and response at the International Rescue Committee WHO WE ARE

Technical rescue unit