Gender-based violence in humanitarian settings includes physical, sexual, psychological and economic harm linked to gender, power, inequality, coercion, discrimination or social norms. It can affect women, girls, men, boys and LGBTQ+ people, although risks and barriers are not the same for every group.
Forms of GBV seen in crisis settings
Sexual and physical violence
- Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- Intimate partner violence and family violence.
- Conflict-related sexual violence and abuse linked to detention, checkpoints or armed control.
- Violence against LGBTQ+ people because of actual or perceived sexuality, gender identity or gender expression.
Coercion and harmful practices
- Child marriage and forced marriage.
- Sexual exploitation, survival sex and trafficking.
- Control of money, documents, movement or access to aid.
- Threats, blackmail, public humiliation and online abuse.
Reducing GBV risk across programmes
GBV risk reduction should be built into site layout, lighting, latrine placement, water points, distributions, complaint mechanisms, staff conduct, recruitment, transport, cash delivery, community consultation and information sharing.
- Consult women, girls and other at-risk groups safely and separately where appropriate.
- Locate latrines, showers, water points and distributions to reduce exposure to harassment or assault.
- Provide confidential, accessible complaint and feedback routes.
- Train all frontline teams to receive a disclosure without causing further harm.
- Make sure referral information is current, discreet and available in relevant languages.
- Do not make people queue overnight, travel alone at unsafe times or expose personal circumstances publicly to receive help.
What to do when GBV is raised
Believe and listen
Respond calmly. You do not need proof to treat someone with dignity and make a safe referral.
Respect choice
Do not pressure someone to report to police, family, community leaders or authorities. Explain options and risks.
Use specialists
Contact the GBV, protection, child protection, safeguarding or medical focal point according to the local referral pathway.
Protect privacy
Do not discuss the case in vehicles, radios, group chats, accommodation or public offices.
Behaviour standards for teams
Team behaviour affects survivor safety. Staff and volunteers should avoid jokes, gossip, victim-blaming, pressure to reconcile, assumptions about sexuality or culture, and any behaviour that treats abuse as normal, private or inevitable.
Line managers should make it clear that fatigue, emergency pressure, cultural difference or operational urgency do not excuse unsafe conduct, harassment, retaliation, exploitation or breaches of confidentiality.
Source guidance and further reading
Use local referral pathways, mission briefings and trained protection, safeguarding, GBV, child protection, medical and security focal points before relying on any general online guidance. These external sources are included for context and should be adapted to the setting.
- IASC GBV GuidelinesCross-sector guidance for GBV risk reduction in humanitarian action.
- GBV Pocket GuideBasic support when a survivor discloses GBV.
- IFRC Survivor-Centred ApproachPractical explanation of survivor-centred principles.
- GBV AoR Pocket GuideGBV Area of Responsibility resource on supporting survivors.
Questions people often ask
Is GBV only a protection team issue?
No. Every sector can reduce or increase GBV risk through programme design and frontline behaviour.
Should staff ask detailed questions about GBV?
No. Staff should listen, avoid pressing for details and refer to trained support.
Can GBV affect men and LGBTQ+ people?
Yes. GBV can affect women, girls, men, boys and LGBTQ+ people, although risks, stigma and support barriers may differ.