1. Training Workshop for Field Staff
Survey module on
Violence against Women
Developed for
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Rev. 29 April 2011

2. I. Introduction to the Workshop

3. Goals of the workshop
To increase knowledge about gender based discrimination and violence
To understand the goals and methods of the Survey on Violence against Women
To develop interviewing skills
To become proficient in the use of the survey questionnaire/module

4. Workshop Program Your input is very valuable! [Two weeks long]
Theory and practice, including field pilot
Changes may be made to questionnaire during the process
Your input is very valuable!

5. Field work – immediately following the training!

6. Ground Rules Regular attendance Be respectful
Ask for help when you don’t understand
Listen without judgement or criticism
Be willing to challenge your beliefs
Honor confidentiality
No one is required to share more than they want to

7. II. Sex and Gender

8. Defining Sex and Gender
Sex refers to the biological differences between men and women. They are generally permanent and universal.
Gender refers to the social relations between men and women. It therefore refers not to men or women but the relationship between them, and the way this is socially constructed. Gender roles can be changed.

9. III. Violence against women

10. What is violence against women?
“ any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life".
(United Nations, 1993)

11. Violence against women includes:
partner abuse,
sexual abuse of girls
rape, including marital rape
dowry related violence
female genital mutilation
trafficking in women
forced prostitution
sexual harassment at the workplace
violence condoned or carried out by the state (i.e. rape in war)

12. Definition of domestic violence
A pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors,
including physical, sexual and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion,
used by adults or adolescents against family members, most commonly against their current or former intimate partners.

13. Woman interviewed in Peru
“So I take a blanket and I spend the night with my children out in the cold because he is hitting me too much. I have to take the kids to stop him hitting them too. I would go out in the fields and sleep there all night. I have done that more than ten times…”
Woman interviewed in Peru

14. Common types of abusive behaviors
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological abuse
Use of economics
Use of children to control an adult victim

15. Examples of physical abuse
Slapping
Shaking
Beating with fist or object
Strangulation
Burning
Kicking
Threats with knife or gun

16. Examples of sexual abuse
Coerced sex through threats or intimidation
Coerced sex through physical force
Forcing unwanted sexual acts
Forcing sex in front of others
Forcing sex with others

17. Examples of psychological abuse
Isolation from others
Excessive jealousy
Control her activities
Verbal aggression
Intimidation through destruction of property
Harassment or stalking
Threats of violence
Constant belittling and humiliation

18. Examples of economic abuse
With-holding funds
Spending family funds
Making most financial decisions
Not contributing financially to the family
Controlling the victim’s access to health care, employment, etc.

19. Examples of using children to control an adult victim
Physical and sexual abuse of children
Hostage taking of children
Custody battles
Using children to monitor the adult victim

20. How common is physical or sexual violence in women’s lives?

21. How common is partner violence?
In most sites, 4 out of 5 women who have been abused (by anybody: partners and others) reported being abused by a partner.
Between 15% (Japan) and 71% (Ethiopia) of ever- partnered women experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner
Source WHO study 2005

22. Pregnancy is not necessarily a protected time
“He hit me in the belly and made me miscarry two babies - identical or fraternal twins, I don’t know. I went to the hospital with heavy bleeding and they cleaned me up”
Woman interviewed in Peru
In most sites 4%-12% of women who had been pregnant were beaten during a pregnancy
In almost 100% of cases the abuser was the father of the unborn child
Between one-quarter to half of these women reported being punched or kicked in the stomach
Source WHO study 2005

23. Physical violence usually occurs together with sexual and emotional violence
Globally, one-third to one-half of all physically abused women also report sexual violence
Almost all physically abused women also experience severe emotional abuse

24. IV. Causes and Consequences of Violence against Women

25. An ecological framework for understanding violence
Society
Community
Relationship
Individual

26. Violence is learned behavior
Boys growing up in families where father is violent are more likely to become perpetrators of partner violence in their adulthood.

27. Domestic violence is learned behavior:
learned through observation
learned through personal experience
learned in culture
learned in family,
learned in communities, schools, friends, etc.

28. It may be aggravated, but not caused by
illness
heredity
alcohol and drugs
lack of self-control
economic problems
anger/stress
the victim’s behavior or problems in the relationship

29. Violence against women is a product of gender subordination
Four issues are consistently associated with societies with high levels of domestic violence:
norms of male entitlement/ownership of women
male control of wealth in the family
notions of masculinity tied to male dominance/honor
male control of decision making

30. Cultural differences in the meaning of violence:
In large parts of the developing world, wife beating is seen as a form of “correction” or chastisement
Beating is acceptable as long as it is for “just cause”
Acceptability depends on who does what to whom, for what reason

31. Beating as discipline
“I think that if the wife is guilty, the husband has the right to hit her…If I have done something wrong…nobody should defend me. But if I haven’t done something wrong, I have a right to be defended.”
-- Indigenous woman, Mexico
“If it is a great mistake, then the husband is justified in beating his wife. Why not? A cow will not be obedient without beatings”
-- Rural man,
Tamil Nadu, India

32. Health Consequences of Abuse
For example:
unwanted pregnancy
chronic pain syndromes
injury
depression
alcohol/drug use
STDs/HIV
Irritable bowel syndrome
gynecological disorders
Fatal Outcomes
homicide
suicide
maternal deaths
Aids related deaths
Non-fatal outcomes
physical
mental
injurious health behaviors
reproductive health

33. Other consequences of violence
For women:
own health
financial status
ability to work
ability to function
participate in society
For children:
low birthweight
emotional well-being
behavioural difficulties
problems at school
injuries
leave home

34. Conclusion
Domestic and especially partner violence against women affects many women around the world -- with grave consequences for them and their children

35. V. Support for women living with violence

36. Many women internalize social norms justifying abuse
“My husband slaps me, has sex with me against my will and I have to conform. Before being interviewed I didn't really think about this. I thought this is only natural. This is the way a husband behaves.”
Woman interviewed in Bangladesh

37. Some of the barriers to leaving for domestic violence victims
Fear for more violence
Fear for her children
Thinks it is normal/that he will change
Economic dependence
Family honor/not wanting to shame the family
Lack of safe alternatives
Lack of community/ family support
Women are overwhelmed from physical and psychological trauma

38. Silence and stigma
Many women never talk about domestic violence with anybody
“I went to my mother first..... I told little by little. Her reaction was ‘Didn’t we tell you?’ ‘You brought this upon yourself, now you pay for it’, ‘There is the child, what will you do? Where will you go?’ and so on ....”
Woman interviewed in Turkey

39. Coping & retaliation
Women experiencing violence may utilise a range of strategies to try to minimise or end violence
Actions to prevent or reduce violence include
leaving & retaliation
People may intervene to stop violence
When severe, may turn to formal and informal sources of support
Different levels of satisfaction with response
May be others from whom would like to get support

40. Domestic Violence Laws in [country]
[to be completed]

41. Resources for victims of violence in [country]
[to be completed]

42. VI. Survey on VAW
Goals
Study Structure
Design
Sample
Main Themes

43. Study goals
To obtain reliable estimates for the main indicators of violence against women
To obtain an impression of the extent to which violence is not reported to authorities

44. Required indicator outputs (core set) 1
Total and age-specific rate of women subject to physical violence in the last 12 months by severity of violence, relationship to perpetrator(s) and frequency
Total and age -specific rate of women subject to physical violence during lifetime by severity of violence, relationship to perpetrator(s) and frequency
Total and age-specific rate of women subject to sexual violence in the last 12 months by severity of violence, relationship to perpetrator(s) and frequency
Total and age-specific rate of women subject to sexual violence during lifetime by severity of violence, relationship to perpetrator(s) and frequency

45. Required indicator outputs (core set) 2
Total and age-specific rate of ever-partnered women subject to sexual and/or physical violence by current or former intimate partner in the last 12 months by frequency
Total and age-specific rate of ever-partnered women subject to sexual and/or physical violence by current or former intimate partner during lifetime by frequency
Total and age specific rate of women subjected to psychological violence in the past 12 months by the intimate partner
Total and age specific rate of women subjected to economic violence in the past 12 months by the intimate partner
Total and age specific rate of women subjected to female genital mutilation

46. Required classifications for the indicators
1-4: severity (for physical violence)
1-4: relationship to perpetrator
1-6: frequency
Denominators
1-4: all women
5-8: ever-partnered

47. Criteria that were considered for the VAW module
Set of indicators should be addressed (as a minimum)
Building on instruments that have been well tested and validated across cultures
Enabling comparative results (also with surveys already done)

48. Central project structure
[to be completed]

49. Study design Household survey Study population all women 15+
Not men for safety and practical reasons
Representative for whole country
Multi-stage sampling scheme
Interview one eligible woman per household (randomly selected)
[other aspects]

50. Ethical considerations
Sensitivity of research topic
The survey uses a “safe name”
Individual consent / voluntary participation
Confidentiality
Physical safety of informants & researchers
Do no harm, respect women’s decisions & choices
Mechanisms to support researchers & field-workers
Avoid harmful publicity
Provision of crisis intervention
Findings used in advocacy, policy making & intervention

51. VII. Questionnaire Outline

52. Structure of VAW module
Questions on demographic characteristics of respondent (besides age in particular partnership status and partnership history)
Questions on partner violence: psychological, economic, physical, sexual
Questions on violence by others since age 15: physical and sexual

53. SECTION ON
VIOLENCE BY PARTNERS

54. Intimate Partner violence: 2 sets of questions
A) Questions for current or most recent partner
B) Questions for any other previous partner
Acts of controlling behaviour
Acts of economic violence
Acts of emotional abuse
Acts of physical violence
Acts of sexual violence

55. Measurement of controlling behaviour by partner
He tries to keep you from seeing your friends?
He tries to restrict contact with your family of birth?
He insists on knowing where you are at all times?
He ignores you and treats you indifferently?
He gets angry if you speak with another man?
He is often suspicious that you are unfaithful?
He expects you to ask his permission before seeking health care for yourself?

56. Measurement of economic abuse by partner
He refuses to give you enough money for household expenses, even when he has money for other things?
[other questions if applicable]

57. Measurement of emotional violence by partner
Insulted you or made you feel bad about yourself?
Belittled or humiliated you in front of other people?
Done things to scare or intimidate you on purpose (e.g. by the way he looked at you, by yelling and smashing things)?
Verbally threatened to hurt you or someone you care about?

58. Measurement of physical violence by partner
Slapped or threw something at that could hurt you?
Pushed or shoved you or pulled your hair?
Hit with his fist or with anything else that could hurt you?
Kicked, dragged or beat you up?
Choked or burnt you on purpose?
Threatened with or actually used a gun, knife or other weapon against you?
Moderate
Severe

59. Measurement of sexual violence by partner
Were you ever forced to have sexual intercourse when you did not want to?
Did you ever have sexual intercourse you did not want because you were afraid of what he might do?
Ever force you to do something sexual that you did not want or that you found degrading or humiliating?

60. Reference period
For each of the acts of abuse or violence: controlling behaviours, economic, emotional, physical and sexual violence:
past 12 months
lifetime

61. Frequency
For acts of emotional, physical and sexual violence, and for both past 12 months and before past 12 months: Once, few, many times
In test module for events of physical and sexual violence in the past 12 months:
1) daily, weekly, monthly, less than 1/month
2) estimated absolute count

62. Severity For physical partner violence and sexual partner violence:
nature of act
Injuries as direct effect of any physical or sexual violence (asking for specific injuries)
Miscarriage as direct effect
Self reported impact on physical or mental wellbeing
Are you ever afraid of partner (never, sometimes, many times, all the time)

63. Type of partner relationship
Partner violence questions are separately asked for
current or most recent partner
any previous partner(s)
Type of relationship with partner (married, living together, dating) is collected for the previous partners who were violent for each set of controlling behaviours, emotional, physical and sexual violence

64. Non reporting of violence
One question at the end -- referring to any type of partner violence reported:
“Who have you told about your (previous) partner’s behaviour?” (pre-coded list)

65. SECTION ON
VIOLENCE BY OTHERS THAN PARTNERS

66. Measurement of physical violence by others than partners
Since the age of 15, has anyone ever hit, beaten, kicked or done anything else to hurt you physically? Threw something at you? Pushed you or pulled your hair? Choked or burnt you on purpose? Threatened with or actually used a gun, knife or other weapon against you?
PROBE:
Anyone else?
How about a relative? How about someone at school or work? How about a friend or neighbour? A stranger or anyone else?

67. Perpetrators, reference period and severity
Pre-coded list of perpetrators
For each of the perpetrators mentioned:
How many times did this happen since you were 15 y: once, few, many
How many times did this happen in the past 12 months: once, few, many
For the each of (max 3) most serious perpetrators: 3 questions on injuries

68. 1. Measurement of sexual violence by others than partners – Rape
Since the age of 15, has anyone ever forced you into sexual intercourse when you did not want to for example by threatening you, holding you down or putting you in a situation that you could not say no. Remember to include people you have known as well as strangers. Please at this point exclude attempts to force you.
Who did this to you? (followed by probes)

69. 2. Measurement of other forms of sexual violence by others
Since the age of 15, has anyone attempted to force you into a sexual act you did not want, attempted to force you into sexual intercourse (which did not take place), touched you sexually, or did anything else sexually that you did not want. Remember to include people you have known as well as strangers.
Who did this to you? (followed by probes)

70. Perpetrators and reference period sexual violence (both sets)
Pre-coded list of perpetrators
For each of the perpetrators mentioned:
How many times did this happen since you were 15: once , few, many
How many times did this happen in the past 12 months: once, few, many

71. VI. Interviewing Techniques

72. Introducing the study:
Dress appropriately
Make a good first impression
Have a positive approach
Stress confidentiality
Answer questions frankly
Interview the respondent alone

73. Conducting the interview:
Be neutral
Never suggest answers
Do no change the wording or sequence of questions
Use tact with hesitant respondents
Do not judge the woman
Do not skip questions
Do not hurry the interview
Do not show questionnaire to anyone!

74. Questionnaire format principles
Lower cast  should be read out
CAPITALS  should NOT be read out
Numerical response codes(1, 2, 3,...) : only one response allowed
Alphabetical response codes (A, B, C...): more than one response is allowed
Questions should be asked as written
Always put a mark for a question asked
Follow skip patterns exactly

75. Accompanying materials
Question by question explanation of the questionnaire
Interviewer manual
[birth dates table]
[Dummy questionnaire]
[Supervisor manual]
Code book, analysis plan

76. Field Procedures Preparatory activities Contacting households
What is a household? In this study:
(1) usually living and eating together
[(2) visitors staying last 4 weeks]
[(3) domestic workers 5 nights/week]
Locating sample households

77. Problems in contacting households
Selected household moved, dwelling is vacant
Selected household moved, new household in dwelling
Dwelling number and name of head of household do not match reality in field
Selected household does not live in the listed structure

78. Problems (continued)
Listing shows one household in dwelling, but two are living there.
The head of household has changed
House is closed and family is away temporarily (a few weeks)
House is closed and no one lives there
House is closed, family is out for the day

79. Introducing the study “A survey on [use the safe name]”
Do not mention domestic violence in initial contact

80. Problems contacting selected women
Selected woman not available
Respondent refuses to be interviewed
Interview not completed
Respondent incapacitated
Revisiting households

81. Informed consent Confidentiality of study General purpose of study
Some topics may be difficult to discuss
Respondent may skip any question or stop the interview at any point
[Signature of interviewer]

82. Asking questions Read exactly as written
Do not suggest one response over another
Read questions in the order indicated
Follow instructions on how to read questions
Do not emphasize one response choice over another

83. More tips for asking questions
Probing
For correctness
For clarity
Completeness
Don’t skip questions when not required
“Don’t know”
Refusal to answer a question
Do not let woman read the questions
Follow skips and filters

84. Recording the responses
Pre-coded responses
One response possible
Multiple responses possible

85. Safety and ethical issues
Sensitivity of research topic
Individual consent and voluntary participation
Confidentiality
Physical safety of respondent
Respecting women’s decisions
(Child abuse reporting)
Provision of crisis intervention

86. Supporting women reporting violence
Your role as an interviewer is:
To record women’s responses to questions
Not to provide counseling or advice

87. Supporting women reporting violence
Responding to women becoming distressed
Take time to talk with kindness and sensitivity
Be patient and composed
Sympathetic comments, such as “I know this is difficult”
Offer tissue
Offer to take a break or finish interview later

88. Supporting women reporting violence
Only terminate the interview:
if woman states that she does not want to continue
If you feel that it would be highly detrimental to continue

89. Supporting women reporting violence
Handling interruptions
Explore ways to obtain privacy
Re-schedule remaining section of interview
Turn to “dummy” questions

90. “. I hardly could pull myself together not to cry
“... I hardly could pull myself together not to cry. I wanted to get out of the house as soon as possible and cry out loud.... I hardly made it to the car; as soon as I told my whole team they all burst out in tears. The most painful thing for me was not being able to do anything. At the end I thought that this very research is about hope, and I have done my part.” (interviewer in Turkey)

91. Support for interviewers
Debriefing sessions with supervisors
Talk to supervisor or other members of the team
Ask for counseling

92. Safety for interviewers
Locating a respondent in the evening
Approaching a respondent
Interruptions during interview
Other precautions
Work as a team

93. “Maybe I was mediating by listening to her for half an hour, and it was worth the world when at the end she thanks me and tells me she felt worthy.”
(interviewer in Turkey)

94. Module and trainings materials developed by Henrica (Henriette) Jansen
(c) photos: Henrica Jansen