Cluster randomized trial of community based trauma healing on sexual and physical violence victimization of women and perpetration by men in the Democratic Republic of Congo

INTERVENTION: Intervention: Community Based Trauma Healing in DRC We evaluate the impact of Community Based Trauma Healing (CBTH), a program implemented in Eastern DRC, as a core strategy to help strengthen community capacity to support the trauma healing process and increase individual mental health, and reduce GBV in a (post)‐conflict context. CBTH was part of a wider Tushinde Ujeuri programme activities that where targeting communities in Nyangezi, Katana and Walikale Health Zones in Eastern DRC. These other activities included legal support (such as a legal clinic, legal aid, working with a paralegal), medical support (such as visiting a health center, training of service providers, care and services for GBV survivors, family planning services), psychological support (such as speaking to a service provider or counselor) and economic support (village savings and loan programs or microcredit) and were available to all communities in the Health Zones. During January 2019 ‐ December 2020, in 80 randomly selected villages, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) implemented the CBTH program. At its core CBTH includes several steps: 1. Recruiting Trauma Healing Champions. In each community, SFGC recruited and trained local mobilizers, so called Trauma Healing Champions (THCs). Identification and training of THC occurred between January and March 2019. As eligibility criteria these should be a member of the community; are trusted by community members; have meeting facilitation skills, should be sensitive of issues related to equitable representation of the local population (for instance, ensuring that multiple tribes and religions are represented); know the conflict issues and GBV issues that affect the community welfare; be a l CONDITION: Reduction of sexual and physical IPV and non partner victimization ; Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; All outcomes measured at baseline and post‐intervention (1.5 years since programming started):; 1. Past‐year IPV physical and sexual victimization (women) measured by bespoke questionnaire; 2. Past‐year non‐partner physical and sexual violence victimization (women) measured by bespoke questionnaire; 3. Past‐year physical and sexual IPV perpetration (men) measured by bespoke questionnaire; 4. Past‐year non‐partner physical and sexual violence perpetration (men) measured by bespoke questionnaire; SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; All outcomes measured at baseline and post‐intervention (1.5 years since programming started):; 1. Depression and anxiety measured using the Depression and Anxiety Scale; 2. PTSD measured using the 16‐item Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ‐16); 3. Service uptake measured using a bespoke questionnaire; 4. Emotional IPV measured using a bespoke questionnaire; 5. Individual Resilience (relational) measured using a bespoke questionnaire; 6. Gender equitable attitudes measured using a bespoke questionnaire; 7. Community Resilience (relational) measured using a bespoke questionnaire; INCLUSION CRITERIA: All residents from selected villages are eligible to participate