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:

A Research Officer is a crucial member of the organisation and will work as a senior member of the  ChildSafeNet research team to conduct cyber safety research studies. The Research Officer collects  primary and secondary data, including qualitative and quantitative data and summarizes the  collected information as well as analysis of data and drafting of research reports.  

Description of Duties:

• Assist in developing research design 
• Develop research instruments  
• Lead and ensure timely collection of secondary data, including through literature review 
• Lead and ensure Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) are  conducting in timely manner, using structured, semi-structured and open instruments in the  field 
• Collect quantitative data through online and offline surveys, including through field visits
• Supervise research assistants in collecting, tabulating and analysing data 
• Prepare manuscripts and draft research reports 
• Maintain accurate record of qualitative and quantitative data collection 
• Develop a work plan and regularly meet the supervisor & the research team to discuss  research assignments, progress and challenges 
• Participate in trainings, meetings, workshops and seminars as necessary 
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor