Finding Causes of Most Prominent Types of Sexual Gender Based Violence: A Study from Gokarella Police Area

Abstract

This paper presents a thorough analysis of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases reported to the Gokarella Police Station in the North-western Province between 2017 and 2021. The research aims to identify the most prevalent types of SGBV cases in the area, determine their underlying causes, and address the research question concerning the reasons behind the increasing incidence of SGBV cases. Data collection involved monthly crime statistics reports from the Gokarella Police Station and interviews with key personnel, including the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the station, the OIC of the Women and Child Bureau, and investigating officers involved in relevant cases. Interviewees provided more descriptive opinions and information regarding the nature of filed cases, the nature of suspects’ and respective victims’ behaviour in the area. These crucial information were then thoroughly analysed to gain the results of this research. The identified SGBV cases were categorized as rape, grave sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, and a comparative analysis was conducted to observe changes in each type year by year. The findings reveal that sexual harassment is the most probable type of SGBV reported to the Gokarella Police Station. The causes of SGBV vary by type, with some contributing factors including poverty, social inequality, and gender discrimination. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have contributed to an increase in domestic violence cases, likely due to families being confined together at home during quarantine restrictions. This paper provides valuable insights into the root causes of SGBV in the Gokarella Police Station area, offering crucial information for the development of targeted policies and programs aimed at preventing and effectively addressing SGBV in the region.