Sexual violence and sexual health in refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Europe and the European neighbourhood : determinants and desirable prevention

Abstract

Sexual violence is a public health issue of global magnitude. In addition to important adverse effects on the victim’s well-being and participation in society; sexual violence may induce long lasting ill sexual, reproductive, physical and mental health, primarily affecting the victim yet also potentially harmful to the victim’s peers, offspring and community. Migrants are considered at risk of sexual victimization worldwide, with refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants identified as the most vulnerable migrants. Whether these migrant groups are also at risk of sexual violence and sexual ill-health in Europe and the European Neighbourhood has not yet been considered. This can however be hypothesised as literature shows that people with similar socio-economic positions, those who are living in shelters and institutions as well as people who have directly or indirectly experienced violence at an earlier stage of life; are at enhanced risk of sexual violence. Furthermore, some non-governmental organisations draw attention to situations that support this hypothesis. Especially violent incidents with sub-Saharan migrants were reported in Morocco and at its borders with whom Europe has the closest collaboration to regulate irregular migration from Africa to Europe in the frame of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Sexual violence is also a violation of the human right to dignity; of the right to life, liberty, autonomy and security; the right to equality and non-discrimination; the right to live a life free from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the right to privacy and physical and mental integrity; the right to the highest attainable standard of health including sexual and reproductive health and to live a sexual life without violence and coercion. Human rights are universal, and thus of appliance to all, regardless of the legal status one holds. Although the European Union refers to health as a human right in many internal and external communications, policies and agreements, defending its universality; this doctoral thesis hypothesises that there might be a discrepancy between the proclaimed rights-based approach and actual obstacles hampering migrants’ attainment of good sexual health and protection from sexual victimization in Europe and the European Neighbourhood.