Addressing impunity for gender-based violence among displaced communities in Haiti

This research report sheds light on the barriers to accountability and justice faced by GBV survivors in Haiti’s displaced communities and provides recommendations for actions to strengthen GBV accountability mechanisms for displaced populations.

The report also presents an analysis of the differential experiences of GBV impunity faced by displaced communities and within the broader Haitian context.

Our research findings highlight the pervasive nature of GBV in Haiti's displaced communities, where women and girls are particularly vulnerable. Despite efforts to address GBV, intersecting factors are critical barriers to justice and accountability and encourage impunity, such as: 

• Socio-economic precariousness of GBV survivors and their families.
• Police services for GBV survivors are not gender responsive and survivor centred.
• Significant gaps and issues in the functioning of the judicial system.
• Gaps in the legal and policy domain.

The report identifies key strategies for addressing this impunity, including:

• Enhancing community-based approaches to prevention and response.
• Implementing the Haiti National plan to combat violence against women and girls.
• Raising awareness in communities about GBV impunity and the justice-seeking process.
• Exploring investing in economic recovery assistance, as well as technical and vocational training programmes for displaced women, LGBTQI+ members, and women living with disabilities.