Understanding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence through an Adolescent Lens- Qualitative Findings from New Delhi, India

The present cross-sectional, qualitative study assesses perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of adolescents with SGBV. 19 students from Delhi, were recruited via snowball sampling and telephonically interviewed during April and May 2020. Three key themes emerged post analysis: (i) Introduction and reinforcement of a patriarchal structure (ii) Violence in teen dating (iii) Justice System. Findings of the study bring out adolescents’ experiences with everyday abuse, their perception towards reporting of SGBV, and a complex process of how this violence continues to remain an intricate part of their lives. The results of this study highlight an urgent need for adolescent-friendly health-promoting and gender-equitable interventions.