TITLE:
Gender-Based Violence at Integrated Care Center of Cotonou: A Five-Year Retrospective Study
AUTHORS:
Moufalilou Aboubakar, Medesse Veronique Tognifode, Ingrid Olowo, Vodouhe Tchimon, Benjamin Hounkpatin, Josiane Angeline Tonato-Bagnan, Justin Lewis Denakpo
KEYWORDS:
Gender-Based Violence, Victims, Care, Cotonou
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
18,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV) covers a wide range of forms, but is primarily physical and sexual. Its medical and psychosocial consequences for victims are dramatic. The objective of our study was to assess five years of activities at the Integrated Center for the Management of Gender-Based Violence (CIPEC-VBG) in Cotonou. More specifically, the aim was to describe the typology of cases received, to calculate the frequency of different types of assault; and to describe the profiles of both victims and perpetrators. Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted over a five-year period from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2023. It covered all GBV victims received at the CIPEC-VBG during the study period. Victims received specifically for physical or sexual assault, with or without a referral, and with complete medical records, were included. Results: A total of 1422 victims and survivors of GBV were included. The median age was 15 years, with a range of 3 months to 61 years. Sexual assault accounted for 87% of the cases received. The majority of these cases involved minors under the age of 15 (63%) and were primarily rape. The perpetrator was most often known by the victim (72.2% of cases). Regarding physical violence, more than a third was committed by husbands and/or cohabitants. The site of injuries was the upper limb in 46.6% of cases, followed by the head and neck (30.8%). Conclusion: Gender-based violence is a reality at the Cotonou CIPEC VBG. The most common form remains sexual assault. The profiles of perpetrators and victims are diverse, but the majority remain young. It is important to intensify programs to combat GBV among young people to ensure an effective response.