SeRO · Sexual and Reproductive Outcomes of Violent Crime

Violent crime affects countries on all continents, with known negative impacts on victims and society. Recent research highlights that even nearby violence, without direct victimization, can affect people’s well-being. Sexual and reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of human well-being with profound importance for individuals, families, and societies. Yet, how local violent crime affects sexual and reproductive health remains poorly understood.The SeRO project provides the first systematic account of the consequences of local violent crime on sexual and reproductive health. SeRO focuses on Mexico, which is an ideal case study due to its recent dramatic surge and strong variation in violent crime, highly stratified sexual and reproductive health, and uniquely rich data resources. The project builds on an innovative mixed-methods research design, combining nationally representative surveys, administrative records, clinic data, and in-depth interviews.SeRO will:(1) Investigate how exposure to local violent crime affects sexual and reproductive health(2) Identify mechanisms mediating the impact of local violent crime on health(3) Analyze variations across intersecting social groups(4) Examine how society responds to violent crime regarding sexual and reproductive healthPersonal safety and sexual and reproductive health are key indicators of development, quality of life, and basic freedoms. SeRO breaks new ground in an emerging interdisciplinary field focused on the social, demographic, and health consequences of violence and crises. This research advances knowledge about local violence as a social determinant of health, analyzing how individuals are affected by complex social contexts, navigate their life courses, and respond to societal pressures and opportunities. The SeRO project will provide recommendations for future intervention research and evidence-based policies to address the health costs of violent crime, with relevance for diverse settings.