OVERVIEW OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN CAMEROON AND HOW FIRST RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY BASED NGOs HELP

In Cameroon, like in most countries across the globe, violence against the LGBTIQ+ community is a preoccupying reality. But such violations are sometimes mistakenly portrayed as being caused by crises, lack of understanding as per the subject of sexuality or sexual orientation, or just Homophobia. Examining data gives a different picture. Gender-based violence in Cameroon has been an existing reality. Since the start of 2021, we have received and handled close to 265 Cases of Gender-Based violence. The broader picture can be painted by the experiences of these persons who continuously live in fear and shame to face the community who are now aware of their sexuality and have become targets.

In all, 56.4% of sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon have suffered emotional and/or sexual violence both within the community and outside the community which is often in the form of physical attack, torture, and or hate speech. Such violation is the manifestation of the pervasive, systematic, and structural discrimination Sexual and Gender minorities face. Discriminations reveal themselves in multiple ways. This is the reason why examining the broader picture of the state of inequalities is critical.

Connecting these dots shows the strong relation there is between gender inequalities, exclusion, and increased vulnerability. Gender inequality, by denying equal rights and opportunities, creates vulnerability. Continuing discrimination – in education, health care, employment – influences individuals’ access to resources and capital. It impacts how decisions are made at household and community levels..

Effective violence prevention and collective response that uproots its causes and upholds human rights require a broader understanding of inequalities. As a humanitarian community, when we do not account for and address gender inequalities, we disregard factors that embed vulnerability for the entire population.

MECHANISMS TO ADDRESSING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE GBVs/RAPE

Community Outreach and Awareness Raising Even in settings where sensitized sexual violence services are in place, many men, boys, and LGBTIQ+ survivors may be unaware that services are available for them or how to access care. They may not realize the benefits of accessing care, such as post-exposure prophylaxis to minimize HIV transmission if taken within 72 hours post-assault. Some may believe that they were the only ones victimized, or may not be aware that mental health recovery is possible with care and support. As such, community outreach and awareness-raising efforts are critical to facilitate survivors’ access to care. The establishment of confidential services, outreach activities, and trust-building efforts with the community can encourage service utilization. Considerations when developing community outreach and awareness programs to raise awareness about sexual violence services: • Engage with the affected community to design and implement the awareness-raising efforts, including men/boy survivors, adolescent boys, LGBTIQ+ persons, and local LGBTIQ+ organizations. • Ensure disaggregated approaches to respective LGBTIQ+ communities. • Clarify how, where, and when men, boy, and LGBTIQ+ survivors can access sensitized care, and the benefits of doing so. • Once good quality, strictly confidential services are in place, highlight the confidential nature of services. • Ensure that operating hours are accessible for men, adolescent boys, and LGBTIQ+ persons who work. • Consider engaging and sensitizing members of the affected community to conduct outreach activities and connect survivors with services as soon as possible. • Build trust with women who may facilitate the identification of men/boy survivors within their family, such as husbands and sons. • Underscore messages of “you are not alone,” “it is not your fault,” and “help is available.” • Include images of men/boy survivors in posters and other awareness-raising materials and advertise services in male-specific settings, such as men’s bathrooms or barbershops. • Explore the use of advertisements for LGBTIQ+ friendly sexual violence services in LGBTIQ+ oriented apps such as Grindr, Hornet, or Her. • Promote relevant hotlines, where available, as they are anonymous and men, boys, and LGBTIQ+ survivors can seek confidential support.

WHAT DO VICTIMS ACTUALLY NEED?

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support The impact of sexual violence on a survivor’s mental health can be severe. Survivors frequently experience short- and long-term mental health consequences, although intensity, manifestation, and duration vary by person. Gender and sexual orientation can play roles in terms of impact as well as the response to sexual victimization. For example, among lesbian survivors, internalized homophobia is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity and avoidant behavior that may impede service uptake. Despite high exposure to potentially traumatic experiences among forcibly displaced populations, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services are frequently weak in humanitarian settings. Mental health care is often scarce and MHPSS service provision tends to focus on psychosocial support. MHPSS providers are often not specifically trained or sensitized to care for LGBTIQ+ survivors, who may be fearful of accessing care due to harmful mental health practices such as “conversion therapy.” Men may be particularly reluctant to use MHPSS services due to gender norms. MHPSS interventions should be inclusive of sexual violence survivors but should not specifically target survivors. Consistent screening for suicidality, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors should be established, immediately after the assault as well as months later. A gender, disability, and age analysis, inclusive of diverse LGBTIQ+ populations, is critical to identify and address barriers to MHPSS service utilization.

WHAT IS PARTICULAR ABOUT TRANSGENDER PERSONS

Caring for Trans Survivors of Sexual Violence Service providers often need additional support, sensitization, and training to sufficiently support trans persons. Key considerations when caring for trans survivors include:

• Trained staff. Ensure availability of staff trained in or sensitized to caring for trans persons. • Inclusive forms. Develop inclusive forms that do not force a client to only choose between “male” and “female.” Consider making “gender” a write-in question. (This is also helpful for nonbinary persons.) • Preferred language. Use the client’s preferred names and pronouns (without question), and reflect client language when referring to body parts. • Listening and not making assumptions. Listen to the survivor and do not assume that being trans was linked to sexual victimization. Some survivors may believe there is a connection between sexual violence and their trans identity, while others do not. • Staying on topic. Ask relevant questions and do not probe with intrusive or off-topic questions related to being trans. Providers may be curious or have questions about being trans: focus on the client’s needs and explore your personal questions about gender identity outside of the treatment context. • Respecting disclosure decisions. Understand that some trans persons are open about their trans identity while others prefer not to disclose. This is an individual choice and lack of disclosure should not be perceived as denial or deceit. • Body or gender dysphoria. Recognize that some trans persons struggle with body or gender dysphoria. As a result, it may be difficult to differentiate between gender dysphoria, body dysphoria, and the impacts of sexual victimization . • Clear policies. If gender-segregated support groups are offered, develop clear policies on which groups trans people can access. Consider providing trans-only support groups, where possible.

Working with Sexually Exploited Adolescent Boys »

Offer options. Offer the option of working with a man or a woman. Never assume who the survivor would prefer to work with. » Build trust. Focus on spending time with the boy and building a trusting relationship. Some may be involved in unlawful activities, like petty theft; don’t judge or shame them. Trust is critical to establish in order to broach the subject of sexual exploitation or abuse. » Be aware of assumptions. Assess vulnerabilities and risks while being mindful of gendered assumptions. Ask yourself whether your conclusions or responses would be the same if the survivor were a girl. For example, some professionals may assume that boys are more resilient or less vulnerable, and may thus perceive boys needing less protection or services than girls. Many boys selling sex in the context of sexual exploitation identify as straight; do not make assumptions about sexual orientation. » Understand anger. Adolescent boys who are sexually exploited may be more likely to externalize their anger and trauma and may be labeled violent, aggressive, or as a perpetrator rather than a victim. » Recognize women/girl perpetrators. For adolescent boys who are sexually exploited by a woman or girl, the response from peers may be one of admiration, and professionals may not recognize this as abuse or take it as seriously as with a man/boy perpetrator. » Include examples of boys and young men. Related materials, resources, case studies, and examples should depict adolescent boys and young men survivors, including information on how adolescent boys and young men become victimized. Adolescent boys may disengage when examples refer solely to girls and young women. » Refer to specialized services. Refer survivors to service providers skilled at working with adolescent boys, including sexual and gender diverse persons and ethnic/religious minorities

PROTECTION

The right to protection, including legal protection and physical protection, underpins humanitarian response. Sexual violence survivors of all genders and sexualities often have an array of protection needs, including access to safety, legal redress, sensitized health care, and other services. Yet the protection-related needs of adult men survivors and LGBTIQ+ survivors (like straight, cisgender women) are often unmet due to discriminatory policies, inadequate or dysfunctional judicial processes, confidentiality concerns, lack of information, and under-trained staff, among other barriers. LGBTIQ+ persons face a multitude of serious protection concerns and may encounter discrimination and disrespect when trying to access protection-related services. It is critical that protection staff are equipped to adequately and efficiently support those at risk of sexual victimization and respond to survivors of all sexualities and genders. Programs should be informed by gender, age, disability, and cultural analyses. For protection issues related to boys and LGBTIQ+ adolescents, see the Child Protection section.

1. Promote physical safety and confidentiality. Ensure the environment is safe and promotes confidentiality. Where possible, provide a separate, private physical space or offer different days or hours for LGBTIQ+ persons. 2. Be prepared. Understand the specific protection challenges and vulnerabilities of LGBTIQ+ persons, generally as well as specific to the setting. Use a disaggregated approach to identifying protection concerns according to respective LGBTIQ+ communities and do not assume that all LGBTIQ+ persons have the same needs and vulnerabilities. Learn sensitive and appropriate interviewing techniques. Familiarize yourself with LGBTIQ+ related terms and stay abreast of the most up-to-date and appropriate language, including local slang. 3. Self-reflect. Reflect on your own attitudes, assumptions, and biases about gender, sexuality, and LGBTIQ+ persons. If you are unable to undertake a nonjudgmental, respectful interview, inform your supervisor and do not undertake the interview in accordance with the principle of “do no harm.” 4. Ensure competency. For protection staff engaged in refugee status determination and resettlement interviews, ensure availability of specially trained staff who are sufficiently equipped to assess the international protection needs of LGBTIQ+ persons in alignment with international criteria and standards.