Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has been the subject of increasing research and scholarship. Less is known about the health of men, boys and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and other gender non-binary persons who survive CRSV. This paper is the first systematic realist review on medical, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions that focusses on male and LGBT survivors of CRSV. The review explores the gender differences in context, mechanisms and outcomes that underpin interventions addressing the health and psychosocial wellbeing of male and LGBT survivors. The aim is to contribute to the design and delivery of gender-sensitive and, when needed, gender-specific approaches for interventions that respond to specific needs of different groups of all survivors. We conducted a systematic search of academic and grey literature to identify medical and MHPSS interventions that included men, boys and LGBT survivors. We identified interventions specifically targeting women and girls that we used as comparators. We then purposively sampled studies from the fields of gender and health, and sexual abuse against men and LGBT people for theory building and testing. We identified 26 evaluations of interventions for survivors of CRSV. Nine studies included male survivors, twelve studies focussed exclusively on female survivors and one study targeted children and adolescents. No intervention evaluation focussed on LGBT survivors of CRSV. The interventions that included male survivors did not describe specific components for this population. Results of intervention evaluations that included male survivors were not disaggregated by gender, and some studies did not report the gender composition. Although some mental health and psychosocial consequences of sexual violence against men and boys may be similar among male and female survivors, the way each process trauma, display symptoms, seek help, adhere to treatment and improve their mental health differ by gender. Initiatives targeting male and LGBT survivors of CRSV need to be designed to actively address specific gender differences in access, adherence and response to MHPSS interventions. Models of care that are gender-sensitive and integrated to local resources are promising avenues to promote the health of male and LGBT survivors of CRSV.

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Background: Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) with the intent of forced pregnancy is common in conflict, and used as a way to dominate women and their society/community. There is growing recognition of the needs of children born of CRSV, particularly by humanitarian practitioners who are coming into contact with them in emergency settings. We sought to find out what is the state-of-the-art on interventions to support children born of CRSV (and their families)? Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cairn Info and Embase) and hand searched reference lists of key publications, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO), United Nations (UN) agencies, international organisations and governmental reports on this topic and in the area of genderbased violence (GBV), child protection, health and other sectors addressed at humanitarian practitioners. Results: Experiences of children born of CRSV include psychological, economic, medical, and legal aspects. Responses to their needs include food aid, medical care, housing assistance, financial support for the mothers of children born of CRSV, and therapeutic games and counselling. However, these responses remain insignificant and partial, and are very often only implemented in one setting. The paucity of the evidence base is clear. Conclusion: Children born of conflict related sexual violence are a special population, both because of the context in which they were conceived, and because of the experiences they face. To deal with the complexity of their situation and thus respond effectively to their holistic needs, various actors must work in synergy.