International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Domestic Violence: An Urgent Humanitarian Crisis

Photo: Aubrey Wade/IRC

Domestic violence is an acute problem in countries that are recovering from conflict. Approximately 1 in 3 women will experience violence during her lifetime, often at the hands of an intimate partner. We must work to end violence and empower women to lead their societies to peace and prosperity.

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How We Help

In all of our humanitarian programs, the International Rescue Committee is committed to the full empowerment and participation of women and girls. In 2011 the IRC:

Counseled and cared for nearly 16,000 survivors of sexual violence and trained 590,000 women, men and children to lead prevention efforts in their communities.
Supported 2,255 schools attended by 420,000 students, 193,000 of them girls.
Helped 192,000 women deliver healthy babies in IRC-supported clinics and hospitals.
Created or obtained over 8,300 jobs for women and young women.

Domestic Violence in the Media

In Focus: Domestic Violence in West Africa

In our work in countries recovering from war in West Africa, the IRC has found that the greatest threat to women's safety is not a man with a gun or a stranger. It is their husbands.

In March, members of an IRC commission met with women in Liberia and Sierra Leone and from Ivory Coast, to hear their perspectives on domestic violence. We also met with met with key government and justice officials.

Press Release l Commission Report and Recommendations