They ask for protection: An exploratory study into experiences with violence among unaccompanied refugee children in Dutch reception facilities

Abstract

Background: Children placed under governmental supervision and staying in residential or foster care are more vulnerable to violence than children who live with their own families. One specific group of children staying in reception facilities under governmental supervision comprises unaccompanied refugee children who have fled to a host country without their parents. Objective: This qualitative study explores the experiences of unaccompanied children with regard to violence in reception facilities in the Netherlands from the perspective of the children. Participants and setting: 183 unaccompanied children (N = 183) sheltered in a variety of reception facilities in the Netherlands. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted focusing on several topics related to their perceived quality of life. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed for experiences with violence occurring inside the reception facilities. The codebook that was used was based on the categorization of maltreatment in the fourth United States National Incidence Study (NIS-4) and the interpretation of violence by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in General Comment No. 13 (GC 13). Results: A large share (66 %) of the unaccompanied children had experienced violence in various reception facilities. Most of the experiences reported had to do with either physical and emotional abuse and neglect or institutional violence. Conclusion:The breadth of experiences of violence underlines the responsibility of the Dutch state to invest in the safe reception of unaccompanied children in order to protect their development, while also investing in further research on the prevalence of violence in the reception of unaccompanied children.

International migration of unaccompanied minors: trends, health risks, and legal protection

“…101,106 Physical trauma is common during irregular crossings, resulting in cuts, tendon lacerations, fractures, and muscle contusions, which can leave longterm physical impairment. 84,99 Finally, unaccompanied minors are probably at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and unwanted pregnancies (although the prevalence is unreported) due to their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and increased risk taking that typically occurs during adolescence. This increased risk means that routine pregnancy testing and STI screening are relevant.…”

“…Screening for immunisation to measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria is recommended when vaccination history is uncertain( 101 , 106 ). Physical trauma is common during illegal crossings; resulting in cuts, tendon lacerations, fractures and muscle contusions, which can leave long-term physical impairment( 84 , 99 ).…”

A Safe Home? A Qualitative Study into the Experiences of Adolescents Growing Up in the Dutch Area Impacted by Earthquakes Induced by Gas Extraction

“…In a study on the psychological effects of drought as a slow-onset disaster on adolescents, Carnie et al (2011) reported that adolescents showed signs of fear of the future, worries about family, increased isolation, and fear of harm [15]. Furthermore, child abuse increases following natural and human-made hazards [16]. Studies have shown that the socioeconomic, housing, and shelter status of a family and history of violence are among the predictors of child abuse in disasters [17].…”