Lack of access to affordable legal services is one of the biggest obstacles to accessing Justice for poor and vulnerable groups in Uganda especially women and children.  This limitation also explains why majority of cases against poor and vulnerable people go unreported.

ADVEJI provides unparalleled, flexible and accessible legal aid support to diverse vulnerable groups through a 4 model approach;

• Urgent action support for indigent victims of Abuse.
• Case referrals to local partners ( ADVEJI Referral pathway)
• Legal representation.
• Building Empowerment and Local Response mechanisms

The 4 model Approach supports vulnerable groups to break free from a cycle of violence in the key Thematic Focus Areas below;

Key Thematic Focus Areas

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)

Uganda is ranked 88^th out of 142 countries and lowest in the East African region according to the 2014 Gender Inequality   Index. Prevalence  rates  of  Gender  Based  Violence  (GBV)  in  Uganda  are  high  compared  to  both  global and  regional  averages. Overall,62.2  %  of  all  women  and  58.8%  of  all  men  aged  15-49  in  Uganda report experience of physical or sexual violence at least once since the age of 15. In 2018 alone over 4054 cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence were reported. However many such cases go unreported, uninvestigated and unprosecuted which perpetuates impunity and escalation of violence.

VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN (VAC)

VAC includes sexual violence, physical violence and emotional violence. VAC is  costly  to  society  and  destructive  to  individuals  and  families and it is  also  alarmingly  common in Uganda. Recent studies show that;

• 3 in 4 young adults experienced some form of violence during childhood
• 1 in 3 young adults experienced at least two forms of violence – of either sexual, physical and emotional violence – during childhood

The physical and emotional damage this violence leaves on these children is normally permanent and can lead to irreversible damage on the children and communities in adulthood.

CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION & ABUSE (CSEA)

CSEA takes the form of defilement, sexual harassment, child prostitution, the evolving Online Child Sexual Abuse (OCSA), pornography, child marriage among others. CSEA happens in homes, institutions, schools, workplaces, in travel and tourism facilities, within communities. Evidence shows that sexual violence can have serious short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences not only for girls or boys, but also for their families and communities. This includes increased risks for illness, unwanted pregnancy, psychological distress, stigma, discrimination, high school dropout rates and difficulties at school.  The Annual Crime Reports from Police show that defilement and other forms of sexual violence remain one of the highest crimes committed in Uganda every year. For example at least 51,168 girls were defiled between 2014 and 2017 according to statistics from police’s child and family protection unit (CFPU). These statistics represent only reported cased. Majority of these CSEA cases go unreported.