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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexual and domestic violence and supporting survivors. For Araz Majnoonian, a PhD student in public health at the joint program between the University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University, that mission is also the focus of her research.

Supported by the ARCS San Diego Chapter, Majnoonian is evaluating domestic violence support services in Armenia to better understand how they help survivors and how those programs can be strengthened.

“Domestic violence is a global public health issue,” Majnoonian said. “It has lasting consequences not only for individuals, but also for families, communities, and societies at large.” 

Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. These experiences can lead to chronic health conditions, reproductive health complications, and mental health disorders, as well as broader social and economic consequences.

In Armenia, Majnoonian is studying women’s support centers that provide comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence. These organizations offer 24-hour hotlines, shelters, legal assistance, psychological counseling, and case management for women and children. Since the country adopted a domestic violence law in 2017, the number of reported cases has increased dramatically as more survivors come forward.

Despite the critical role these organizations play, they have never undergone a formal evaluation. Majnoonian’s research seeks to change that.

One part of her project involves mapping where survivors access services to determine whether women in rural areas face additional barriers to support. By using geospatial analysis, she hopes to identify gaps in service access and awareness.

“It’s a really good data-driven approach that will guide organizations in understanding how to allocate their resources and where more awareness-raising efforts may be needed,” she said. 

Majnoonian will also conduct interviews with both survivors and service providers to better understand how these programs affect women’s lives and whether they are meeting their intended goals.

“The outcome evaluation focuses on what changed in these women’s lives after they used the services,” she said. “Are they safe? Has their overall well-being improved?” 

For Majnoonian, the research is deeply personal. She chose to study gender-based violence because of her own experiences and her connection to the Armenian community.

“I chose this field because of my own experiences with gender-based violence when I was younger,” she said. “It’s something very close to my heart that I feel is important to work on improving.” 

Conducting research in Armenia also allows her to reconnect with her heritage.

“I’m ethnically Armenian, and this is where my ancestors are from,” she said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to live here for a few months, understand more about my roots, and contribute in a positive way.” 

Majnoonian credits ARCS with helping make her research possible.

“Research is expensive, and as a graduate student, you don’t have much time to work outside your studies,” she said. “ARCS has given me the privilege of focusing on my classes and my research without worrying as much about financial needs.” 

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month and beyond, Majnoonian hopes her work will help strengthen services for survivors and improve the support systems that women rely on when seeking safety and healing.