Overview: This paper presents the initial findings from research carried out on the requirement, in certain countries, to report sexual violence cases to law enforcement authorities, and the humanitarian impacts of such obligations in the context of armed conflicts and other situations of violence. The research established that mandatory reporting laws, policies and practices in these contexts, often impact negatively on access to health care for victims/survivors of sexual violence and may expose them to secondary violence and harm.

The Women's Refugee Commission and Mercy Corps’ Energy in Emergencies: Reducing Risks of Gender-based Violence (EEMRG) project, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, aims to improve safety and opportunities for women and girls through inclusive access to energy in emergencies.

This Learning Paper gives a brief snapshot of psychosocial support (PSS) and gender-based violence (GBV), including the types of PSS and PSS best practice. It also highlights the new Inter- Agency Minimum Standards on Gender-based Violence in Emergencies Programming, showing why PSS is an essential component of GBV response and why PSS interventions should take a
survivor-centered approach.
Case studies from Concern Worldwide Lebanon, Trócaire and World Vision offer concrete examples of the current work and challenges related to working in GBV response and PSS.