Understanding school-related gender-based violence from the perspectives of children with disabilities and community stakeholders in Sierra Leone.

School-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) affects millions of children globally and is prevalent in Sierra Leone. SRGBV involves abuse at and around school and can affect children's health, school attendance and academic performance. Due to disability stigma, children with disabilities are often more affected by violence at school and in the community but evidence on this relationship remains weak. Using community-based participatory methods, including focus group discussions, geospatial mapping and photography, this study explored the perspectives, experiences and needs of children with disabilities regarding SRGBV. Findings revealed that children with disabilities in this context experience high levels of physical, psychological and sexual violence and their experiences are shaped by the characteristics of their natural and built environment, political and economic factors and social and cultural norms. The study highlights specific hotspots for violence within and around their schools and provides insights into the relationships between SRGBV, disability stigma, gender inequality and poverty. Suggestions made by children for improving safety and ending SRGBV include training teachers and parents on disability, making environmental and sanitation improvements, enhancing road safety and traffic regulations and strengthening SRGBV reporting and accountability mechanisms. The study has helped to amplify the voices of children with disabilities and highlighted the importance of disability-inclusive participatory methodologies in conducting SRGBV research and ensuring richness and quality of data.