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Cited by 387Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceGender, Security, and ConflictHealth and Conflict Studies

A Systematic Review of Prevalence Studies of Gender-Based Violence in Complex Emergencies

Stark, Lindsay, Ager, Alastair·2011·Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
DOI 10.1177/1524838011404252
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Abstract

Current methods to estimate the incidence of gender-based violence in complex emergencies tend to rely on nonprobability samples. Population-based monitoring is undertaken relatively infrequently. This article provides a systematic review of published literature that represents attempts to quantify the magnitude of gender-based violence in emergency settings. Searches adopted a Boolean procedure, which led to initial selection of material that was then reviewed against set criteria. Only 10 studies met the final criteria for inclusion. Intimate partner violence, physical violence, and rape were the three categories of violence most frequently measured. Rates of intimate partner violence tended to be quite high across all of the studies-much higher than most of the rates of wartime rape and sexual violence perpetrated by individuals outside of the home. Direct comparisons of rates of violence were hindered by different case definitions, recall periods, and other methodological features. Recommendations for future studies are offered based on lessons learned from the studies reviewed.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1524838011404252

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  • In settings of armed conflict, large groups of women are survivors of gender-based violence and experience gendered stressors.

    “In settings of armed conflict, large groups of women are survivors of gender-based violence and experience gendered stressors. 15”

    From Guided self-help to reduce psychological distress in South Sudanese female refugees in Uganda: A cluster randomised trial (2020) · cites this paper as [15]

  • Camps experience a high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence, linked to military presence and to women traveling long distances for toilets or firewood.

    “There is also a high rate of sexual and gender-based violence due to military presence and women traveling long distances to access toilets or firewood (Stark & Ager, 2011;Tappis et al., 2016;Sommer et al., 2014;Freedman, 2016;Parekh, 2020).”

    From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Stark & Ager, 2011

  • To calculate the sample size required, the study consulted two systematic reviews on prevalence of SGBV in humanitarian situations.

    “To calculate the sample size required in the settlements and urban environments, I first consulted two systematic reviews on prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian situations (Vu et al., 2014;Stark & Ager, 2011).”

    From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Stark & Ager, 2011

  • Out of 26 studies in the reviews, only seven recruited both refugee/IDP camps and urban environments, and two disaggregated prevalence rates by environment.

    “Out of the combined 26 studies included for review, only seven recruited both refugee/internally displaced persons camps and people from urban environments.Of these seven studies, two disaggregated prevalence rates by environment.”

    From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Stark & Ager, 2011

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Authors
Stark, L., & Ager, A.
Affiliations
Columbia University (US)
Corresponding author
Stark, Lindsay
ORCID
Venue
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2011-04-20
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
127-134
ISSN
  • 1524-8380 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-8324
DOI
10.1177/1524838011404252
OpenAlex
W2144365375
Cited by
386
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 82 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 2
FWCI
1.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Trauma Violence & Abuse (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Security, and Conflict
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
Keywords
gender-based violence, complex emergencies, prevalence, intimate partner violence, wartime rape, sexual violence, physical violence, population-based surveillance, case definition, recall period, conflict settings
MeSH terms
Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Physical Examination, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Spouse Abuse, United States, Prevalence, Battered Women

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