In the Preventing Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault in Nigeria (PISAN) project, one of the main challenges was the lack of capacity among community leaders and other stakeholders in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to effectively respond to and support survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and sexual assault. Many community leaders were unaware of the signs of abuse or the proper channels to provide support and care, which hindered efforts to address and mitigate the impact of gender-based violence, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Capacity Building:
To address this gap, Sydani designed and implemented a comprehensive capacity-building program aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of community leaders and stakeholders in IPV and sexual assault prevention and response. The training covered a wide range of topics, including:
• Recognizing the signs of IPV and sexual assault.
• Providing psychological first aid and emotional support to survivors.
• Understanding legal rights and protections for survivors.
• Implementing effective communication strategies for reporting and responding to cases.
• Promoting gender equality and debunking myths and misconceptions about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Community leaders were provided with ongoing resources and support, including access to a toll-free helpline and digital tools for capturing and reporting SGBV incidents.
They were also incentivized to ensure sustained commitment to their roles as change agents within the camps.
Result
The capacity-building efforts resulted in a notable increase in the ability of community leaders to respond effectively to cases of IPV and sexual assault. Post-training assessments showed that 77% of trained community leaders (34 out of 44) demonstrated improved knowledge of SGBV prevention and response. This increased competence led to more confident handling of SGBV cases and a heightened sense of responsibility in supporting survivors.
Additionally, the overall engagement of community members improved, with 83% of participants (4628 females and 449 males) showing enhanced knowledge of SGBV, as revealed by the endline assessment. This led to better identification of abuse, increased reporting, and improved access to care for survivors. Through the PISAN network, all survivors who reported incidents via the toll-free helpline received the necessary care and support, further contributing to a safer and more responsive community.
Assessments/MEL/Data Management:
A baseline assessment was conducted in April 2022 across eight selected IDP camps in Abuja. The primary goal of the baseline survey was to determine the current levels of awareness, reporting rates, and the response mechanisms in place for IPV and SA within these communities. Sydani developed a robust data collection tool designed to capture both qualitative and quantitative data from the study population. This tool focused on three critical areas:
1. Awareness of IPV and SA: Measuring the understanding and recognition of IPV and SA among IDP residents.
2. Reporting Mechanisms: Assessing the existing structures for reporting IPV and SA incidents and identifying barriers to reporting.
3. Care and Response: Evaluating the available support systems and mechanisms for survivors of IPV and SA, including medical, psychological, and legal care.
The baseline findings revealed significant gaps in awareness and reporting, as well as limited availability of structured care and response mechanisms for survivors. These insights were instrumental in designing targeted interventions that included capacity-building programs for camp leaders, community sensitization campaigns, and the establishment of a toll-free helpline linked to NGO partners for improved access to care.
At the conclusion of the one-year pilot study, an endline assessment was conducted to measure the impact of the interventions implemented throughout the project. The same data collection tool was used to ensure consistency in the measurement and analysis of the outcomes. The endline survey focused on assessing improvements in:
• Awareness: Increased knowledge and understanding of IPV and SA among IDP residents.
• Reporting Rates: The effectiveness of the toll-free helpline and other reporting mechanisms.
• Care and Response: The ability of the project to connect survivors to appropriate care and support systems through the PISAN network.
Result
The endline assessment demonstrated significant improvements across all three key areas. Awareness of IPV and SA saw a notable increase, with 83% of camp residents (4628 females and 449 males) demonstrating improved understanding of the forms of abuse, contributing factors, and how to seek help. Reporting rates also improved as more residents utilized the toll-free helpline, resulting in faster access to care.
Additionally, 100% of survivors who reported cases via the helpline were connected to care through NGO partnerships, ensuring they received the appropriate support. The data collected from both the baseline and endline assessments provided a clear picture of the project’s success in raising awareness, improving reporting mechanisms, and enhancing care for survivors of IPV and SA in the IDP camps.
