Clinical Management of Sexual Violence Survivors in Crisis Settings

Updated 3/19/2023
By IAWG Training Partner Initiative
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Overview

The Clinical Management of Sexual Violence Survivors in Crisis Settings outreach refresher training module is designed for clinical trainers conducting brief introductory or refresher training on providing care to survivors of sexual violence. The target audience for this training is health care providers–including midwives, nurses, general practice physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists, and others–working in crisis settings where medical supplies to manage cases of sexual violence are available.

Participants will learn about the provision of survivor-centered medical care. The content is based on the most recent guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and IAWG, namely the Clinical management of rape and intimate partner violence survivors: Developing protocols for use in humanitarian settings (2019) and Inter-Agency Field Manual on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings (2018).

Additionally, the training includes discussions and activities that promote the sustainability of services and address ongoing training needs where there is high staff turnover. The course is designed for in-person training workshops in crisis settings with limited resources. The training can take place onsite or offsite in a nearby referral facility.

Course Materials

Components

Course components include:

Presentation slides
Case studies
Interactive activities
Pre- and post-tests
Skills checklists and other job-aids

Options to Download Course Materials

You can access the materials for planning and managing the Clinical Management of Sexual Violence Survivors in Crisis Settings outreach refresher training using the following links:

Download all materials in a single zip folder.
Download the full facilitator’s guide, participant’s workbook, and PowerPoint presentation.
View all additional references and resources.
Download the individual materials from their associated units, listed below.

Course Units

The training is divided into 10 units.

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7/16/2021 Learn More

Unit 1: Course Overview

During this unit, participants will reflect on their expectations for the training and agree on ground rules.

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Unit 2: Core Concepts: Gender-Based Violence

This unit explains the link between gender-based violence and violations of human rights, describes the guiding principles for working with survivors of sexual violence, and examines how social norms can affect survivors’ ability to seek help and access care.

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Unit 3: Preparing the Clinical Site, Identifying Survivors, Offering First-Line Support (LIVES)

This unit discusses the requirements for providing clinical services to survivors; common signs and symptoms of sexual violence and intimate partner violence; and the basic principles of supportive communication and first-line response (LIVES) for survivors.

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Unit 4: Informed Consent, Medical History, and Physical Examination

This unit describes the key elements of informed consent; how to conduct, collect, and document a comprehensive patient history pertaining to sexual violence; the components of a physical examination of survivors of sexual violence and the principles of collecting forensic evidence; and the purpose and composition of a medical certificate.

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Unit 5: Providing Treatment and Related Counseling

This unit explains the appropriate treatment and counseling for survivors of sexual violence.

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Unit 6: Enhancing Safety and Referrals, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Follow-Up Care

This unit explains how to assess immediate risks and develop a safety plan with a survivor, referral service needs for survivors, strategies to counsel survivors around mental health and psychosocial support, and patient follow-up care guidelines and timing.

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Unit 7: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

This unit describes the health care provider’s role in the implementation of SOPs and how SOPs can improve access to care.

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Unit 8: Monitoring and Evaluation for Health Care Providers

This unit explains the role of the health care provider in monitoring and evaluation and in stock management.

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Unit 9: Assessing and Strengthening Clinical Services for Survivors of Sexual Violence

This unit explains the key requirements of delivering quality clinical care for survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence and asks participants to develop a list of initial actions to strengthen clinical services.

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Unit 10: Evaluation and Closing

This unit discusses strategies to identify and prevent burnout and asks participants to reflect on if the training met their expectations and the course objectives.

Feedback on the Training Materials

The IAWG Training Partnership Initiative is interested in hearing from you. Please share any questions or feedback to info.iawg@wrcommission.org regarding the training materials and their use in your context.

Sexual and reproductive health services remain critical during COVID-19

IAWG members and partners are producing clinical and programmatic guidance, assessments, policy papers, and statements to ensure continued prioritization of sexual and reproductive health and rights throughout COVID-19 response in humanitarian settings.

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