Interactive, educational computer games to prevent gender-based violence
Youth-centred
Key Findings
Some brief highlights of key findings of the qualitative research are included below.
Jamaica
In Jamaica, the focus is on the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The research examined the long-term negative psychosocial impacts of CSA, and explored factors that prevent victims from coming forward to the authorities, as well as the long-term repercussions for those who do speak out.
It is estimated that 19.7% of women in Jamaica experience GBV in their lifetime. The research indicates a strong need for the relevant authorities to receive specialised training on supporting children who report CSA. There is a need for staff in both the medical and judicial systems to be better trained and equipped to respond to persons who have experienced CSA.
India
The research work in India explored the damaging impact of gender bias in Indian society. It highlighted the forms of violence that women, children and young people face in their homes and communities. One of the underlying causes of this violence is the prevalence of patriarchal traditions and beliefs, which remain unchallenged.
The research suggests that this violence can be reduced if young people are empowered to resist patriarchal practices. This is equally true for both men and women. The bystander attitude towards gender bias should be challenged.
It is estimated that 28.7% of women in India experience GBV in their lifetime.
Uganda
The team in Uganda has focused on the impact of child marriage. The research highlighted some common narrative themes, such as poverty, particularly in situations when girls drop out of school and fall victim to older men who initially provide necessities and luxuries that their families are unable to afford. Lack of knowledge about contraception and sexual health was also an issue. The long-term effects of child marriage identified include intergenerational poverty, illiteracy, family break down, poor child development, intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV/AIDS.
About 49.9% of women in Uganda experience GBV in their lifetime.
The research in Uganda indicates that there is a strong need for government – through the district community department – to liaise with relevant civil society organisations (CSOs) to mobilise and engage communities in dialogues on the meaning of GBV.
United Kingdom
The team in the UK has explored Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in young people’s relationships as the central theme of their research. Findings show that those who witnessed abuse in their childhood are at an increased risk of victimization as adults. One in three of the women interviewed had suffered childhood neglect or abuse, or had witnessed domestic abuse. Similarly, one in three had endured more than one, if not multiple, abusive intimate relationships as adults.
About 29% of women in the UK experience GBV in their lifetime.
UK research suggests that domestic abuse must not be seen as a private matter. The daily trauma that victims are routinely subjected to is unacceptable, and must be acknowledged as a public issue for the whole of society, in order to alter interventions and bring about effective change.
Jesse
Ni3’s first pro-social video game, ‘Jesse’, was developed for young people in Barbados and Grenada.
The impacts of ‘Jesse’ are still resonating widely, with changes in attitudes toward gender-based violence and disruptions to cycles of violence having been evidenced as a result of the game’s implementation in schools and broader public engagement activity.
‘Jesse’ has gone on to be adopted recently by the Ministry of Education in a third country, St Lucia.
Next steps
Watch this space for publication of the findings and policy recommendations from our qualitative research. The research findings will be integrated into the four prosocial games in development.
Find out more at www.noneinthree.org