Addressing Stigma against Victims/Survivors of Sexual Violence

About This Project

Summary

Following extensive consultation with 948 individuals, of whom 27 per cent were victims/survivors of sexual violence, and 66 organ­izations, collecting testimonies in 19 countries, the ICRC produced two videos that highlight the harmful impact of stigma on victims/survivors' recovery process and seek to propose alternative messages of support that were co-created with victims/survivors and their communities.

Goals & Objectives

The videos are regularly used in community outreach campaigns with active pilots in Ethiopia and South Sudan where the ICRC and its local Red Cross partners have reached more than 150,000 individuals with messages that help to reduce community stigma.

Results & Impact

When paired with community outreach, ICRC's stigma reduction messages improved health seeking behavior; In 2024, 71% of all victims/survivors accessing ICRC-supported healthcare facilities in Ethiopia, for example, were from locations where outreach for stigma reduction was conducted.