Johannesburg, South Africa

Organised by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), this conference is being organised to promote research on sexual violence, highlight innovation and encourage sharing and networking in the area of sexual violence. The SVRI is a global initiative that promotes and disseminates policy and action-orientated research to reduce and respond to sexual violence through: identifying gaps; building capacity; supporting research; raising awareness; and building partnerships.

The SVRI Forum is organised around the following themes.

• Preventing sexual violence - How can research help to better understand the social and cultural context of sexual violence and develop interventions to build gender equity and challenge gender norms. How can men and boys be involved in sexual violence prevention?
• Responding to sexual violence - Survivors of sexual violence need high quality multi-sectoral responses. How can research be used to define appropriate and effective responses that meet survivor’s needs? What is appropriate mental health care after rape for developing countries? What are the intersections of sexual violence and HIV and how can these be effectively addressed?
• Global advocacy - How can research be used to place the sexual violence under the global and national policy spotlight and ensure it is given recognition and attention by policy makers and funders?

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This event will bring together over 200 participants working on sexual violence as researchers, gender activists, funders, policy makers, service providers, survivors, and others. Abstracts are invited related to research and advocacy efforts to address the many dimensions of sexual violence. Abstracts should be submitted according to the conference themes. There are two types of sessions: oral and poster presentations. Abstracts not accepted for oral presentation may be selected for a poster session.

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Registration fees: ZAR 4,000: (early registration by April 30 2009); ZAR 4,500 (late registration by June 29 2009). The registration fee does not include accommodation, any other social events, airport transfers, or tours.

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Click here to register online.