PHR launched the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones in 2011, with the aim of forging coalitions among medical, law enforcement, and legal experts to end conflict-related sexual violence. Since then, we and our partners have trained more than 2,000 professionals in the collection, understanding, and use of court-admissible evidence of sexual violence. Now active in Central and East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, our work has helped achieve landmark victories in the fight against impunity for these horrific crimes.
Our program has offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and the United States, and focuses on:
Capacity development to forensically investigate, document, and prosecute cases of sexual violence;
Building networks and partnerships to improve access to justice for survivors of sexual violence;
Research into patterns of sexual violence to prevent future occurrences;
Advocacy for national and international action to prevent sexual violence in conflict and to support our partners in holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes; and
Innovation to most effectively combat sexual violence.
