Studies on Violence

Paradoxically, the advent of democracy in Haiti has been accompanied by numerous forms of violence that threaten the foundations of the rule of law and destabilize the traditional relations of local communities (political violence, criminality and delinquency, domestic violence, etc.). This situation demands the systematic study of the different forms of violence, their causes, their modes of reproduction and transformation, the relation between criminal violence and political violence, and so on.

The laboratory currently pursues four lines of research:

1. Modalities and Experiences of Exclusion
2. Security, Violence, Democratization and Institutional Politics
3. Youths in the Cities: Gangs, Generations and Identity Practices
4. Lasting Reconciliation

For more information on our research initiatives, please click on one of the projects below for more information:

Gender, Power, and Violence in Higher Education in Haiti
​This Spencer Foundation funded grant builds on findings from INURED's 2014 national study of higher education to examine the sociocultural costs of pursuing university training for young women in Haiti. 

Gangs, Violence, and the Democratization Process in Haiti
A study of the political economy of gangs, youth identity, forms of sociality and modes of connectedness.

Violence Against Children Survey (VACS)
The Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) systematically measures the prevalence and consequences of
physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children.  VACS enhances countries' capacity to design, implement, and evaluate violence prevention programs and build successful child protection systems.
VACS Preliminary Report (English)
VACS Preliminary Report (French)

Study of Societal Dynamics of Fragility in Haiti (September 2010)
Funded by the Social Development Department of the World Bank

Publication generated by this project:
Societal Dynamics and Fragility: Engaging Societies in Responding to Fragile Situations

Trends, Assessment,& Evaluation of Cité Soleil, Phase III: Cité Soleil, Haiti (March-June 2010). 
An evaluation study of HSI interventions in the commune of Cité Soleil and a trends analysis of 
social and institutional indicators. Funded by Department of States, SUBCONTRACT with Logos Technologies, SC# SUB-238-UMI1.

Analysis of Institutional Response to Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (May-June 2009)
A case study of institutional responses to violence in Port-au-Prince.  Funded by the World 
Bank.  Contract # 7150337, Extended: 107475

Urban Crime and Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (February-May 2009)
A study of forms and modalities of violence in two neighborhoods in Cité Soleil.  Funded by the World Bank. Contract # 7150337

Violence and Stabilization Process in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (July-November 2008)
An evaluation of the international effort to stabilize Haiti.  Funded by the U.S. Department 
of State/Logos Technologies.  Subcontract # 08-005

Impact of International Aid on the Living Conditions of the Inhabitants of Cité Soleil (January-June 2008)
A participatory research project that gathered base-line data on life experiences, quality of life, expressed concerns of residents of Cité Soleil.  The study also evaluated the impact of international initiatives in Cité Soleil on residents' family life from their own perspective.  Funded by the U.S. Department of State.  Grant # S-HA700-07-GR-014