The Impact of Gender-Based Violence on the Health of Refugees
Objectives and methods: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of gender-based violence among exiles receiving care at the Committee for the Health of Exiles (Comede), the characteristics of the victims, and the impact of such violence on health. It is based on data collected from 2,065 women, including 449 pregnant women, and 3,816 men who received a health assessment and medical follow-up at the Comede Health Center between 2012 and 2017, as well as individuals receiving psychotherapy. Results and discussion: Between 2012 and 2017 at Comede, a history of gender-based violence was found in 30% of women and 4% of men. This violence is more common among young people and among exiles from sub-Saharan Africa. It is closely linked to social vulnerability, particularly as some of the rapes suffered by women occur in France. Severe mental health disorders are particularly common among victims (59% of women and 84.9% of men) and clinically severe, with more than three-quarters of affected patients suffering from psychotraumatic syndromes and complex trauma. Victims of gender-based violence are also more frequently infected with HIV and more often require multidisciplinary care, including osteopathic treatment. These findings partially corroborate other studies on the subject, with such violence appearing notably more frequent among women and more severe among male exiles. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of gender-based violence in a context of multiple health vulnerability factors; the persistence of certain forms of violence in France points to the inadequacy or failure of the protective measures theoretically in place. Prevention and care initiatives rely on the creation of reassuring spaces for dialogue—both individual and collective—within a multidisciplinary framework that incorporates the need to provide “shelter” for exiled individuals.
Author(s): Petruzzi Marie, Veïsse Arnaud, Wolmark Laure, Fessard Claire, Weinich Laura, Rustico Joseph
Publishing year: 2019
Pages: 327-333
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2019, n° 17-18, p. 327-333
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