Barriers of reporting sexual violence in Syrian refugee camps

Abstract

Barriers in reporting sexual violence have emerged as a common problem for refugee camps hosting women. Approaches to increase reporting among women who have experienced sexual violence have not adequately considered the cultural context and what actions would help or hinder Syrian women from reporting sexual gender-based violence. In a qualitative case study,agencies operating in Vancouver, Canada and Zaatari Camp, Jordan found that Syrian women did not report due to shame, lack of trust in helpers, and a strained legal framework which contributed to non-reporting of sexual violence. With input from agencies helping refugees and a Syrian-Canadian journalist, this study’s findings suggest that awareness of sexual violence and its consequences need to be directed towards both men and women, to promote the idea that victims are blameless when they experience sexual violence.