Research on Online Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against Teens and Young People 

The internet use is growing exponentially in Nepal and online forms of IPV are becoming more  widespread and prominent. Knowledgebase on online risks and internet safety among Nepali  children and young people is very low. In Nepal, a few research studies on offline IPV have been  conducted in the past. However, there is a very limited knowledgebase on IPV experienced by  teens and young people through the use of digital technology. The existing literature and research  to date is pre-dominantly focused on married couples/adult partners living together, which often  only cover the traditional and offline understandings of IPV. The increasing surge in internet use  have opened ways in which the facilitation of digital technology plays a huge role in aggravating  abuse, violence, and increasing one's susceptibility to IPV.  

Digital technologies, in this context, have been found to be used by teens and young people, not  only for communicating and initiating new romantic relationships, but also for exerting abuse and  control over partners as relationships progresses. Exploring the continuum of abuse, existing  literature seems to indicate that technology-assisted intimate partner violence and abuse does not happen in isolation, rather such behaviour is experienced or perpetrated both in person and/or  through digital means. Therefore, it is suggested that there is an increasing use of the technology  to perpetrate intimate partner violence and abuse representing a new form of sexual violence to  exert control to partners already in a violent relationship.  

The main objective of the research is to assess and understand the context, practices and  behaviour of teens and young people towards IPV through the use of digital technology and to  provide appropriate policy recommendations to the government and other duty-bearers. The  research will also use an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for detection and prevention of online  intimate partner violence. 

Purpose 

Research Assistants are crucial members of the organisation. They will work as the members of the  ChildSafeNet research team to conduct research studies. They will collect primary and secondary  data, including qualitative and quantitative data and summarise the collected information. They will also assist in data tabulation and analysis.  

Description of Duties 

• Collect primary and secondary data through quantitative and qualitative methods (including,  but not limited to, online/offline survey questionnaires, in-depth interviews, etc)  
• Conduct desktop research and analysis, with extensive emphasis on literature reviews 
• Assist in the development of research instruments and tools depending on the scope of the  research 
• Conduct and document Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)  using structured, semi-structured and open instruments as required 
• Assist the research team in collecting, tabulating and analysing data 
• Assist the research team with the preparation of research abstracts and manuscripts 
• Maintain accurate record of qualitative and quantitative data collection 
• Develop a work plan and meet regularly with the supervisor and the research team to discuss  research assignments, progress and challenges 
• Participate in trainings, meetings, workshops and seminars/webinars as and when necessary 
• Perform other duties as and when assigned by the supervisor