12 \ outline of protection initiatives © Alaa Ghosheh/ UNRWA archives Protection from violence, including child abuse and Gender based Violence (GBV), and referral system Years of conflict, border closures, crushing poverty and inadequate housing have placed Gazan society and families under extreme pressure. Restrictions on women´s movement, opportunities and pursuits have also increased, compounded by years of blockade and conflict, leaving women vulnerable to disempowerment and marginalization. As a result, violence in the Gaza Strip has become widespread, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, with 51% of ever married women and nearly 60% of children aged 12-17 suffering domestic violence.18 Nearly one in four children age 12-17 experienced physical or psychological violence from teachers or other students and 30% of male youth and 10% of female youth experienced violence on the street. In Gaza, however, there is little protection and even fewer services for women and children who have been victims and witnesses of violence. To respond to this epidemic of violence, UNRWA has launched efforts to detect cases of refugees who suffer from gender-based violence (GBV) 18 Incidence refers to the period of August 2010 to July 2011 and refer them for services, including health care, psychosocial support, and legal advice. By end 2011, UNRWA had received reports of over 250 cases of GBV. In January 2012, a comprehensive electronic case management system was launched to ensure better follow-up of refugees seeking assistance due to GBV. Over the coming year, UNRWA will: • • • Continue to monitor and improve its GBV detection and referral system Seek opportunities to expand the system to also better target children and adolescents Further train social workers, mental health counsellors and other key staff to detect and assist children and women facing a wide array of abuses The initiative will contribute to UNWRA’s HDG 4 Human rights enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. More specifically to strategic objective 13 and 14: • • Safeguard and advance the rights of Palestine refugees by promoting respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. Strengthen refugee capacity to formulate and implement sustainable social services in their communities.