Gender-based violence help desk services at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious health and social problem in South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. This study describes the socio-demographic characteristics of clients and their alleged perpetrators, types of violence and outcomes reported, and the services provided by the GBV Help Desk at Teaching Hospital - Jaffna.
Data were collected retrospectively from records of all 883 clients who sought help and who were referred to the GBV Help Desk of Teaching Hospital - Jaffna during a 2-year period (January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020) using a data extraction sheet.
The clients of the GBV Help Desk were mostly female (91.3%; n=806). Physical, economic, emotional and sexual violence were experienced by 68.5%, 48.2%, 40% and 29.4% of clients, respectively. In 87.9% (n=776) of cases the husband, lover or partner was the alleged perpetrator. Around two thirds of alleged perpetrators (65%, n=518) had a history of alcohol use. Physical violence was more likely among legally married women (84.3%) compared to legally unmarried women (35.4%) (p<0.001) whereas sexual violence was more likely in legally unmarried women (70.5%) compared to legally married women (10.3%) (p<0.001). Suicidal inclinations were reported by 7.3% (n=64). All clients were befriended; further counselling was arranged for 27.8% (n=245).
In conclusion the GBV Help Desk mainly provides services to women following intimate partner violence.