The Sexual Violence Research Podcast

S4E6 Field Building in Crisis - Sustaining the violence prevention sector in unprecedented times

Jul 29, 2025
48 mins

Episode Description

Around the world, organisations and activists working to end violence against women and violence against children are facing unprecedented threats, from political instability to shrinking civic space and economic strain. Most recently the devastating cuts to global development funding - particularly the closure of major donors like USAID - has sent shockwaves through the sector. For those who work in the field this is not just a funding crisis -  it’s a matter of survival, for prevention and response services, communities and, at times, for lives. 

So what can be done and where do we find hope in such challenging times? We are joined by South African human rights and social justice activist, Mark Heywood, and Dr Chay Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Her Story, to discuss what it means to grow and strengthen our work in a time of crisis. How can we grow stronger, together? And how do we create a more collaborative, connected, and resilient ecosystem across different disciplines, movements, and sectors?

Your host is: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI).

This episode’s guests are: 

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