Methods and instruments for evaluating policies, programs, and services for sexual violence care: An integrative review

Abstract

The aim was to identify studies that evaluate policies, programs, or services for survivors of sex offenses, characterizing the types of evaluations conducted, the methodological strategies, and the sources of evidence used. An integrative literature review was conducted covering the period from 2012 to 2022, identified in national and international databases, using the descriptors “Sex Offenses” (OR) “Rape” (AND) “Evaluation” (OR) “Health Evaluation”. Twenty-three articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Most articles were produced in Latin American and Caribbean countries (43.5%) or African countries (17.4%), and were mainly published in English (65%). Most of the studies had a training purpose, focusing on the process (60.9%), of which only 34.8% mentioned a conceptual theoretical framework in the field of health evaluation. Quantitative methods were used in 60.9% of the studies, while qualitative methods were used in only 26.1%. No standardized instruments were identified to evaluate services for individuals experiencing sexual violence. The article concludes by recognizing the diversity and richness of approaches and methodological strategies for evaluating policies, programs, and services for women experiencing sexual violence. We suggest that the conceptual theoretical framework is enhanced as a fundamental aspect in conducting these studies.