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

Author

Listed:
  • Lotte De Schrijver

    (UGent-International Centre for Reproductive Health, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Tom Vander Beken

    (UGent-Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Barbara Krahé

    (Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany)

  • Ines Keygnaert

    (UGent-International Centre for Reproductive Health, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Lotte De Schrijver & Tom Vander Beken & Barbara Krahé & Ines Keygnaert, 2018. "Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Migrants, Applicants for International Protection, and Refugees in Europe: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1979-:d:169061
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Osnat Keidar & David S. Srivastava & Emmanouil Pikoulis & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, 2019. "Health of Refugees and Migrants—Where Do We Stand and What Directions Should We Take?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Sarah Adeyinka & Ine Lietaert & Ilse Derluyn, 2023. "It Happened in the Desert, in Libya and in Italy: Physical and Sexual Violence Experienced by Female Nigerian Victims of Trafficking in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Alice Blukacz & Alejandra Carreño Calderon & Alexandra Obach & Báltica Cabieses & Jeniffer Peroncini & Alejandra Oliva, 2022. "Perceptions of Health Needs among Venezuelan Women Crossing the Border in Northern Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-22, November.
    4. Lotte De Schrijver & Anne Nobels & Jonathan Harb & Laurent Nisen & Kristien Roelens & Tom Vander Beken & Christophe Vandeviver & Ines Keygnaert, 2022. "Victimization of Applicants for International Protection Residing in Belgium: Sexual Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-24, October.

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