[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/csd.ipss-addis.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/CCS_CDS_AAU.jpg” parallax=”on” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Self-help Guide” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”60px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/legalaid.aau.edu.et\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/lawww-1.jpg” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”15px” button_one_bg_color=”#ffa727″ button_one_border_width=”15px” button_one_border_color=”#ffa727″ button_one_border_radius=”100px” button_one_letter_spacing=”5px” button_one_font=”Open Sans|700||on|||||” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”6vw||6vw||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”100px||100px||true” custom_padding_phone=”|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” child_filter_opacity=”92%” hover_enabled=”0″ title_font_size_tablet=”60px” title_font_size_phone=”36px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” content_font_size_tablet=”” content_font_size_phone=”16px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_one_text_size_tablet=”” button_one_text_size_phone=”” button_one_text_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_one_border_color_hover=”#ff8a3d” button_one_border_radius_hover=”100px” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”5px” button_one_bg_color_hover=”#ff8a3d” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_color__hover=”#ff8a3d” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_radius__hover=”100px” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”5px” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_bg_color__hover=”#ff8a3d” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” title_text=”lawww-1″ background_enable_pattern_style=”on” background_pattern_style=”honeycomb” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_top_2=”0px” padding_bottom_1=”0px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”true” padding_top_bottom_link_2=”true” admin_label=”Button Bar” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” inner_width=”100%” inner_max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”-36px|||” custom_padding=”0||||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Self-help Guide” url=”#” content_max_width=”1100px” content_max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|on|on|||||” header_font_size=”14px” header_letter_spacing=”5px” header_line_height=”2em” body_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#E09900″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#ffffff 0%|#e09900 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#e09900″ text_orientation=”right” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”20px|40px|12px|40px|false|true” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”5%” border_radii=”||100px|100px|” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Our Services” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-90px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Breaking the Silence: A Guide to Reporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV)” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Gender-Based Violence (GBV)<\/strong> is a violation of human rights and a serious crime under Ethiopian law. However, for many survivors, the path to justice can feel overwhelming.<\/p>\n This guide outlines the practical steps a survivor should take immediately after an incident to protect their health and ensure they have the evidence needed for legal action.<\/p>\n Step 1: Safety and Health First (The “72-Hour Rule”)<\/strong><\/p>\n If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence or physical assault, your immediate physical safety is the priority. Get to a safe place away from the perpetrator.<\/p>\n The “72-Hour” Window is Critical.<\/p>\n For survivors of sexual violence, time is of the essence. You should try to visit a medical facility within 72 hours (3 days) of the incident.<\/p>\n Step 2: Preserving the Evidence<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges in GBV cases in Ethiopian courts is the lack of evidence. While your instinct may be to wash away the trauma, preservation is key for justice.<\/p>\n Do NOT:<\/strong><\/p>\n DO:<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 3: Where to Go: The One-Stop Centers<\/strong><\/p>\n In the past, a survivor had to go to the police, then a hospital, then a prosecutor which be reliving their trauma at every stop. Today, the Government of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Health promote One-Stop Centers (OSCs).<\/p>\n What is a One-Stop Center?<\/p>\n These are special units located within hospitals where you can receive medical care, police investigation, legal advice, and psychosocial counseling all under one roof, free of charge.<\/p>\n Key One-Stop Centers in Addis Ababa:<\/strong><\/p>\n Recommendation:<\/strong> If you are in Addis Ababa or a major regional city, go to a One-Stop Center first. They will call the police unit to you, minimizing your exposure.<\/p>\n Step 4: Reporting to Law Enforcement<\/strong><\/p>\n If you cannot reach a One-Stop Center, you can report directly to the police.<\/p>\n Step 5: Seeking Legal Aid<\/strong><\/p>\n Once the immediate medical and police reports are filed, you may need a lawyer to follow up on the investigation and represent you in court.<\/p>\n You do not have to pay for a lawyer if you cannot afford one.<\/strong><\/p>\n Important Contacts & Hotlines<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are unsure what to do, call these free or confidential numbers for guidance.<\/p>\n Service<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Contact \/ Hotline<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 7711 (Free Hotline)<\/p>\n +251 11 508 783<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Police Emergency<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 991<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +251 116 672 290<\/p>\n (Shelter & Counseling)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Marie Stopes Ethiopia<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 8044<\/strong> (Free Hotline)<\/p>\n (For reproductive health advice)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Gandhi Memorial Hospital (One-Stop Center)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n +251 91 072 1145<\/strong><\/p>\n 011 551 8185<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n Disclaimer<\/strong><\/p>\n This article provides general legal information. For specific legal advice regarding your case, please visit one of our legal aid offices in person.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Where to Go: The One-Stop Centers” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Step 3: Where to Go: The One-Stop Centers<\/strong><\/p>\n In the past, a survivor had to go to the police, then a hospital, then a prosecutor which be reliving their trauma at every stop. Today, the Government of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Health promote One-Stop Centers (OSCs).<\/p>\n What is a One-Stop Center?<\/p>\n These are special units located within hospitals where you can receive medical care, police investigation, legal advice, and psychosocial counseling all under one roof, free of charge.<\/p>\n Key One-Stop Centers in Addis Ababa:<\/strong><\/p>\n Recommendation:<\/strong> If you are in Addis Ababa or a major regional city, go to a One-Stop Center first. They will call the police unit to you, minimizing your exposure.<\/p>\n Step 4: Reporting to Law Enforcement<\/strong><\/p>\n If you cannot reach a One-Stop Center, you can report directly to the police.<\/p>\n Step 5: Seeking Legal Aid<\/strong><\/p>\n Once the immediate medical and police reports are filed, you may need a lawyer to follow up on the investigation and represent you in court.<\/p>\n You do not have to pay for a lawyer if you cannot afford one.<\/strong><\/p>\n Important Contacts & Hotlines<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are unsure what to do, call these free or confidential numbers for guidance.<\/p>\n Service<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Contact \/ Hotline<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 7711 (Free Hotline)<\/p>\n +251 11 508 783<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Police Emergency<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 991<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n +251 116 672 290<\/p>\n (Shelter & Counseling)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Marie Stopes Ethiopia<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 8044<\/strong> (Free Hotline)<\/p>\n (For reproductive health advice)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Gandhi Memorial Hospital (One-Stop Center)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n +251 91 072 1145<\/strong><\/p>\n 011 551 8185<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Disclaimer<\/strong><\/p>\n This article provides general legal information. For specific legal advice regarding your case, please visit one of our legal aid offices in person.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/legalaid.aau.edu.et\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/self-help-Guide.jpg” title_text=”self-help-Guide” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a violation of human rights and a serious crime under Ethiopian law. However, for many survivors, the path to justice can feel overwhelming. This guide outlines the practical steps a survivor should take immediately after an incident to protect their health and ensure they have the evidence needed for legal action. 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