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About SVRI

Founded in 1999 by the South African Medical Research Council, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative has become the world's leading platform for advancing evidence-based research on violence against women and children.

SVRI Founding Institution

The SVRI Story: 25 Years of Leadership

1999: Origins at the Medical Research Council

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative was established in 1999 at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in response to the urgent need for rigorous research on violence against women and children, particularly in the context of post-apartheid South Africa's high rates of gender-based violence.

SVRI was founded on four core principles:

  • Evidence-based approach: All interventions must be grounded in rigorous research
  • Global collaboration: Violence is a global problem requiring global solutions
  • Capacity building: Strengthening research capacity in low- and middle-income countries
  • Ethical excellence: Maintaining the highest standards in sensitive research
Research Foundation

2001-2010: Foundation Building Era

Key Milestones

  • 2001: First SVRI Forum held in Johannesburg
  • 2004: Launch of global research database
  • 2007: Expansion to include violence against children
  • 2010: Introduction of capacity building programs

Key Founding Figures

Prof. Rachel Jewkes - Founding Director and global pioneer in violence research

SAMRC Leadership - Institutional support and commitment to addressing violence

International Partners - Early collaborations with WHO, UN Women, and academic institutions

2011-2020: Global Expansion Era

Major Achievements:

  • Established regional coordinator network system
  • Launched "What Works" global programme
  • Collaborated with WHO to develop RESPECT framework
  • Expanded research database to 6000+ studies
Global Partners

2021-Present: Evidence to Impact Era

Current Priority Areas:

  • Climate change and gender-based violence
  • Digital violence and online safety
  • Violence prevention in humanitarian settings
  • Economic evaluation of interventions

Vision for 2030

SVRI envisions a world where evidence drives action, research capacity exists globally, and research translates into lasting policy and practice changes.

SVRI Organizational Structure & Governance

SVRI Secretariat

Location: South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria

Core Functions:

  • Strategic planning and coordination
  • Global partnership management
  • Research database maintenance
  • Forum organization and logistics
  • Knowledge product development

Staff: 15+ dedicated researchers and coordinators

→ Meet the Team

SVRI Advisory Board

Composition: International experts from academia, policy, and practice

Board Responsibilities:

  • Strategic direction and oversight
  • Quality assurance of research
  • Global partnership development
  • Ethical standards maintenance
  • Priority setting for SVRI work

Members: 12 international experts serving 3-year terms

→ Board Members

Regional Coordinators

Coverage: Africa, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Europe/North America

Regional Roles:

  • Local network development
  • Cultural adaptation of resources
  • Regional priority identification
  • Language-specific communications
  • Local partnership facilitation

Structure: Volunteer coordinators supported by SVRI Secretariat

→ Regional Networks

Institutional Affiliations & Partnerships

Host Institution: SAMRC

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has been SVRI's institutional home since 1999, providing:

  • Administrative support: Legal, financial, and operational infrastructure
  • Research facilities: Office space, IT systems, and meeting facilities
  • Institutional credibility: SAMRC's reputation enhances SVRI's global standing
  • Local expertise: Access to South African research networks and expertise

Key Institutional Partners

World Health Organization (WHO)

Relationship: Official collaboration since 2002

Focus: Global guidelines, RESPECT framework, multi-country studies

UN Women

Relationship: Strategic partnership for global database and advocacy

Focus: Policy influence, data standardization, regional programming

World Bank Group

Relationship: Collaboration on economic research and development programming

Focus: Cost studies, investment cases, fragile states research

SVRI Institutional Partners

Academic Collaborations

Leading University Partners:

  • Johns Hopkins University - Public health research and training
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Global health and epidemiology
  • University of the Witwatersrand - Local research capacity and African expertise
  • Instituto Promundo - Male engagement and masculinity research
  • Monash University - Implementation science and evaluation

Funding Partners

Major Funders

  • UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Oak Foundation
  • Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

SVRI's Research Philosophy & Methodological Approach

Theoretical Foundations

SVRI's research approach is grounded in several key theoretical frameworks:

Ecological Model of Violence

Understanding violence through multiple levels of influence:

  • Individual: Personal factors and experiences
  • Relationship: Family and peer influences
  • Community: Social and institutional contexts
  • Societal: Cultural norms and policies

Feminist Research Principles

  • Centering women's experiences: Prioritizing survivor voices and perspectives
  • Power analysis: Understanding gender inequality as root cause
  • Intersectionality: Recognizing multiple, overlapping identities
  • Participatory approaches: Involving communities in research design

Ethical Excellence

SVRI has pioneered ethical standards for violence research, working with WHO to develop global guidelines that prioritize safety, confidentiality, and participant wellbeing.

Research Philosophy

Methodological Innovations

Mixed Methods Expertise

SVRI specializes in combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide comprehensive understanding of violence and prevention.

Implementation Science

Focus on how evidence-based interventions can be successfully implemented and scaled in real-world settings.

Cross-Cultural Research

Expertise in conducting research across diverse cultural contexts while maintaining scientific rigor.

Technology Integration

Innovative use of technology for data collection, analysis, and dissemination while maintaining safety standards.

Evolution & Strategic Direction

Historical Evolution

Phase 1 (1999-2005):

Foundation Building

  • Establishing research standards
  • Building initial network
  • Developing core resources

Phase 2 (2006-2015):

Global Expansion

  • International partnership development
  • Regional network establishment
  • Capacity building focus

Phase 3 (2016-Present):

Evidence to Impact

  • Implementation science emphasis
  • Policy translation focus
  • Innovation and technology integration

Current Strategic Priorities

2020-2025 Strategic Plan:

  • Evidence Generation: Filling critical research gaps
  • Knowledge Translation: Research to policy and practice
  • Capacity Strengthening: Building sustainable research capacity
  • Network Facilitation: Connecting global community
  • Innovation: Embracing new methodologies and technologies

Emerging Focus Areas:

  • Climate change and gender-based violence
  • Digital violence and online safety
  • Violence prevention in humanitarian settings
  • Economic evaluation of interventions

Vision for 2030

SVRI envisions a world where:

  • Evidence drives action: All violence prevention efforts are grounded in rigorous research
  • Global equity: Research capacity exists in all regions affected by violence
  • Sustainable impact: Research translates into lasting policy and practice changes
  • Innovation leadership: SVRI remains at the forefront of methodological advancement

Become Part of SVRI's Story

For 25 years, SVRI has brought together passionate researchers, practitioners, and advocates. Join our community and help write the next chapter of evidence-based violence prevention.

How You Can Contribute:

  • Research Collaboration: Partner with SVRI researchers on studies
  • Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to our global database
  • Capacity Building: Participate in or lead training programs
  • Policy Engagement: Help translate research into action
  • Network Development: Build connections in your region
SVRI Community

SVRI Values in Action

Excellence: Commitment to rigorous, high-quality research

Collaboration: Building partnerships across sectors and borders

Equity: Ensuring research benefits all communities

Innovation: Embracing new approaches and methodologies

Impact: Translating evidence into meaningful change

Recognition & Awards

SVRI has received international recognition for its contributions to violence research and prevention, including partnerships with major global institutions and acknowledgment in key policy frameworks.