Study on Gender-Based Violence, Safety Perceptions, and Reporting Patterns in Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords:
Gender-based violence (GBV), Safety perception, Crime reporting, Underreporting, Policy ReformAbstract
Gender-based violence continues to undermine community well-being in Nepal despite existing legal safeguards. This study analyzes how people's feelings of safety affect their reporting of GBV by comparing survey data from 500 Nepali residents with official crime statistics. In doing so, a clear gender divide was observed: women consistently report higher levels of fear compared to men. Moreover, participation in GBV prevention training and awareness of local support services seemed to significantly influence how safe people feel and how likely they are to report incidents. These results highlight a disconnect between objective crime data and the lived experiences of survivors. This study shows that we need targeted policies and community interventions that not only make the law stronger but also give survivors the tools they need to break the cycle of silence.This will make communities safer and more responsive in the long run.
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