Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Migrants, Applicants for International Protection, and Refugees in Europe: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Evidence

Abstract

(1) Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a major public health problem, with negative socio-economic, physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health consequences. Migrants, applicants for international protection, and refugees (MARs) are vulnerable to SV. Since many European countries are seeing high migratory pressure, the development of prevention strategies and care paths focusing on victimised MARs is highly needed. To this end, this study reviews evidence on the prevalence of SV among MAR groups in Europe and the challenges encountered in research on this topic. (2) Methods: A critical interpretive synthesis of 25 peer-reviewed academic studies and 22 relevant grey literature documents was conducted based on a socio-ecological model. (3) Results: Evidence shows that SV is highly frequent in MARs in Europe, yet comparison with other groups is still difficult. Methodologically and ethically sound representative studies comparing between populations are still lacking. Challenges in researching SV in MARs are located at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, societal, and policy levels. (4) Conclusions: Future research should start with a clear definition of the concerned population and acts of SV to generate comparable data. Participatory qualitative research approaches could be applied to better grasp the complexity of interplaying determinants of SV in MARs.

Sexual violence against migrants and asylum seekers. The experience of the MSF clinic on Lesvos Island, Greece

“…survivors in the context of migration is required, in order to improve and upscale the provision of care to this extraordinarily vulnerable population [21]. Health projects in migration settings offer an opportunity to understand and to document the risks and needs of migrants and asylum seekers who have experienced sexual violence.…”

Conflict-related sexual violence: a review

“…First, a greater understanding of the true current scale of the issue is required. Investigation should be thorough, using consistent definitions for the various forms of sexual violence 40. Second, political declarations should be followed with corresponding tangible action to prevent and manage CRSV 1 24 41.…”

Children at risk: A nation-wide, cross-sectional study examining post-traumatic stress symptoms in refugee minors from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan resettled in Sweden between 2014 and 2018

“…Findings related to gender differences among unaccompanied refugee minors have also thus far been largely inconclusive. Although female gender has been shown to be associated with a heightened vulnerability towards certain mental health problems, a lack of representative studies and relevant data for male refugees should encourage caution when interpreting findings [28,29]. Still, refugee and asylum-seeking females are typically disproportionately vulnerable to threats such as sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as associated negative mental health outcomes [29,30].…”

“…Although female gender has been shown to be associated with a heightened vulnerability towards certain mental health problems, a lack of representative studies and relevant data for male refugees should encourage caution when interpreting findings [28,29]. Still, refugee and asylum-seeking females are typically disproportionately vulnerable to threats such as sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as associated negative mental health outcomes [29,30]. This seems to hold true for girls as well as women, with studies finding that underage girls experienced exposure to sexual violence at a far greater rate than boys, and that they were found to show more symptoms of anxiety and behavioral problems than their male counterparts [31].…”