Incidence of sexual violence among recently arrived asylum-seeking women in France: a retrospective cohort study

Jérémy Khouani, Maeva Jego

Keywords: Asylum seeker, sexual violence, host country

Background:

The prevention of sexual violence (SV) occurring shortly after arrival in host countries towards female asylum seekers requires knowledge about its incidence. There was no data on the SV suffered by asylum seekers in host countries.

Research questions:

What is the incidence of SV suffered in france during the past year by recently arrived asylum seekers?

Method:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a life-event survey of asylum-seeking females who had been registered in southern France by the Office for Immigration for more than one year but less than two. The primary outcome was the occurrence of SV during the past year, weighted by the deviation in age and geographical origin of our sample from all females registered. The nature of SV was noted, and associated factors were explored by a logistic regression model.

Results:

Between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, 273 females were included. Eighty-four females experienced SV during the past year of living in France (26.3% weighted [95% CI, 24–28.8]), 17 of whom were raped (4.8% weighted [95% CI, 3.7–6.1]). Being a victim of SV prior to arrival in France (202, 75.7%) was associated with the occurrence of SV after arrival (OR = 4.6 [95% CI, 1.8–11.3]). Lack of support for accommodation was associated with se.xual assault (OR = 2.6 [95% CI, 1.3–5.1]).

Conclusions:

The months following their arrival in a European host country seem to be a period of high exposure to SV with a notable role of reception conditions. Compared to data drawn from the extant literature, our findings indicate that female AS are exposed to SV more frequently than the general population of French women. Our findings provide valuable information for making public policies to prevent the occurrence of SV among asylum-seeking females in European host countries and to detect them if they could not be prevented.

Points for discussion:

How can GPs use these results to adapt their practices?

What are the primary care solutions?