Improving the health and protection of marginalized communities impacted by conflict, forced displacement, and violence
Guided by Evidence-Based Practice
Partnering with leading local and international organizations, we design and implement applied research and provide technical assistance to develop new tools, guidance and innovative interventions that can improve health and protect lives. We bring deep expertise in gender-based violence prevention and response, rigorous methods, and collaborative approaches with communities and practitioners to understand emerging challenges in the field and develop solutions that have the potential for large-scale impact both locally and globally. Currently, we are working to better understand the needs of marginalized youth impacted by violence and exploitation. We use youth-centered, participatory methods to promote youth voice and agency and engage youth as partners in designing solutions and driving change.
Program Team
Julie Freccero
Director, Health and Human Rights Program
Human Rights Center
Audrey Taylor
Senior Researcher, Health and Human Rights Program
Human Rights Center
Michaela Anastasia Austin
Research Manager, Health and Human Rights Program
Human Rights Center
Ana Linares Montoya
Researcher, Health and Human Rights Program
Human Rights Center
Leila Younes
Researcher, Health and Human Rights Program
Human Rights Center
Featured Publications
Sep 12, 2023
Family and Me (FAM) 2.0: A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco (Evaluation 1)
View Publication
Dec 25, 2022
Family and Me (FAM) A New Model of Foster Care for Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation in San Francisco
View Publication
May 16, 2021
Child Marriage in Humanitarian Crises: Girls and Parents Speak Out on Risk and Protective Factors, Decision-Making, and Solutions
View Publication
May 31, 2018
Toward an End to Child Marriage: Lessons from Research and Practice in Development and Humanitarian Sectors
View Publication
Nov 21, 2017
Sexual Exploitation of Unaccompanied Migrant and Refugee Boys in Greece: Approaches to Prevention
View Publication
Dec 10, 2017
Sexual Violence Against Men and Boys in Conflict and Forced Displacement: Implications for the Health Sector
View Publication
Aug 15, 2019
Safer Cash in Conflict: Exploring Protection Risks and Barriers in Cash Programming for Internally Displaced Persons in Cameroon and Afghanistan
View Publication
Aug 09, 2019
Safer Cash Toolkit: Collecting and Using Data to Make Cash Programs Safer (English)
View PublicationNews
April 11, 2023
Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation
Commentary — #Verified from the Human Rights Center: Five lessons on housing for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation, authored by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.
June 17, 2021
Faculty members share research findings and insights leading into World Refugee Day
HRC in the News — Berkeley Law: Faculty members share research findings and insights leading into World Refugee Day, featuring research by HRC’s Eric Stover, Sarah Craggs, Julie
June 17, 2021
Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out
Commentary — Berkeley Blog: Five ways to prevent child marriage in refugee communities: 280 girls speak out, by Julie Freccero and Audrey Taylor.