Episodes Of Violence Suffered By Migrants Transiting Through Libya: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction The Central Mediterranean Route (CMR), passing through Libya, is one of the most dangerous for migrants from Africa. Episodes of violence have been documented but have not been accurately quantified. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of episodes of violence suffered in Libya by migrants consulting Médecins du Monde (MdM) programs in France.Methodology Monocentric cross-sectional study. The inclusion criteria included all migrants over the age of 18 who had passed through Libya, who arrived in Europe from 2017 and consulted at the MdM health centre in Paris. The presence of psycho-traumatic events was considered as exclusion criteria. The study was implemented from February to May 2019. An ad-hoc questionnaire was created. The proportion, frequency and factors associated to physical, deprivation and sexual violence were estimated, as well as access to health care and need for psychosocial support.Results 98 people were recruited and 72 were interviewed (17 refused to participate and 9 were excluded). 76.4% were men, the average age was 31.9 years, 76.4% had a low level of education, 66.7% came from Ivory Coast and 59.7% had left their country for security reasons. The median length of stay in Libya was 180 days. The overall proportion of persons having suffered violence was 96.4% for men and 88.2% for women. The prevalence of physical, deprivation and sexual violence was 94.2%, 81.7% and 18.% for men and 80.0%, 86.7% and 53.3% for women, respectively. No statistical differences by other variables were found. Access to health care in Libya was non-existent. 63.9% of participants were oriented for psychosocial support.Conclusions The vast majority of migrants report having been victims of violence during their transit in Libya. Women are at particular risk of sexual violence. Mental health support for these populations is urgent.