Torrance, R J; (2024) Assessment of the Use of One Stop Crisis Centers to Help Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls: the Case of Thailand. DrPH thesis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17037/PUBS.04672609
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Abstract
Introduction: Non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are prevalent in Thailand and most commonly affect women and girls. In pursuit of a coordinated, multisectoral, and trauma-informed state response to NPSV/IPV, the government of Thailand introduced One Stop Crisis Centers (OSCCs) in 1999. Despite the rapid growth of the OSCC model in Thailand, the extent to which OSCCs are meeting the needs of survivors remains largely unexplored. In this study, I sought to address this knowledge gap. Methods: The aim of this thesis was to further our knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities of using the OSCC model to help survivors of NPSV/IPV in Thailand. An exploratory study design was adopted using qualitative methods. Semistructured interviews with OSCC staff were undertaken. OSCC staff were recruited from university-affiliated, regional, general, and community hospitals. Framework analysis adopting a thematic approach was employed to support qualitative data analysis. Results: The findings indicated a wide range of survivor help-seeking and disclosure preferences and behaviours, although numerous, substantial barriers were identified as contributing to survivor silence. The study exposed problematic views and social norms impacting the response of OSCC staff to NPSV/IPV, including an acceptance of marital rape, survivor-blaming, and interrogation of survivor accounts. The findings also revealed institutional challenges to a trauma-informed OSCC response, including the use of untrained, non-specialised male doctors to perform forensic examinations and the unavailability of OSCC services outside working hours. Conclusion: The study underlined the benefits of employing a social norms lens and foregrounding efforts to enhance access when seeking to improve the response of OSCCs in Thailand to NPSV/IPV. The pursuit of greater standardisation of the OSCC response and the institution of referral pathways were identified as key to addressing a wide array of the challenges identified in this study.
Item Type | Thesis |
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Thesis Type | Doctoral |
Thesis Name | DrPH |
Contributors | Medley, G F; Cislaghi, B; Kessel, A and Colombini, M |
Faculty and Department |
Faculty of Public Health and Policy Faculty of Public Health and Policy > Dept of Global Health and Development |
Copyright Holders | Robert James Torrance |
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Filename: 2024_PHP_DrPH_TORRANCE_R.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0
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