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Sexual and gender-based violence and torture experiences of Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda: health and justice responses

Helen Jane Liebling (Clinical Psychology/Associate of Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, Coventry, UK and Clinical Lead for Refugee Services, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK)
Hazel Rose Barrett (Chair of Development Geography and Social Scientist, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, Coventry, UK)
Lillian Artz (Director of the Gender, Health and Justice Research Unit (GHJRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa)

International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care

ISSN: 1747-9894

Article publication date: 10 December 2020

Issue publication date: 10 December 2020

324

Abstract

Purpose

This British Academy/Leverhulme-funded research (Grant number: SG170394) investigated the experiences and impact of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and torture on South Sudanese refugees’ health and rights and the responses of health and justice services in Northern Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

It involved thematic analysis of the narratives of 20 men and 41 women refugees’ survivors of SGBV and torture; this included their experiences in South Sudan, their journeys to Uganda and experiences in refugee settlements. In total, 37 key stakeholders including health and justice providers, police, non-government and government organisations were also interviewed regarding their experiences of providing services to refugees.

Findings

All refugees had survived human rights abuses carried out in South Sudan, on route to Uganda and within Uganda. Incidents of violence, SGBV, torture and other human rights abuses declined significantly for men in Uganda, but women reported SGBV incidents. The research demonstrates linkages between the physical, psychological, social/cultural and justice/human rights impact on women and men refugees, which amplified the impact of their experiences. There was limited screening, physical and psychological health and support services; including livelihoods and education. Refugees remained concerned about violence and SGBV in the refugee settlements. While they all knew of the reporting system for such incidents, they questioned the effectiveness of the process. For this reason, women opted for family reconciliation rather than reporting domestic violence or SGBV to the authorities. Men found it hard to report incidences due to high levels of stigma and shame.

Research limitations/implications

Refugees largely fled South Sudan to escape human rights abuses including, persecution, SGBV and torture. Their experiences resulted in physical, psychological, social-cultural and justice effects that received limited responses by health and justice services. An integrated approach to meeting refugees’ needs is required.

Practical implications

The authors make recommendations for integrated gender sensitive service provision for refugees including more systematic screening, assessment and treatment of SGBV and torture physical and emotional injuries combined with implementation of livelihoods and social enterprises.

Social implications

The research demonstrates that stigma and shame, particularly for male refugee survivors of SGBV and torture, impacts on ability to report these incidents and seek treatment. Increasing gender sensitivity of services to these issues, alongside provision of medical treatment for injuries, alongside improved informal justice processes, may assist to counteract shame and increase disclosure.

Originality/value

There is currently a lack of empirical investigation of this subject area, therefore this research makes a contribution to the subject of understanding refugees’ experiences of SGBV and torture, as well as their perceptions of service provision and response. This subject is strategically important due to the pressing need to develop integrated, gendered and culturally sensitive services that listen to the voices and draw on the expertise of refugees themselves while using their skills to inform improvements in service responses and policy.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: British Academy/Leverhulme.SG170394.The authors are most grateful to all those we interviewed including refugees, Government of Uganda, Kitgum Women’s Peace Initiative, Isis-Women’s International Cross-Cultural Exchange, UN Women and all stakeholders, for their participation and the knowledge and experiences they shared. For further discussion, please contact: Dr Helen Jane Liebling, e-mail: Helen.Liebling@coventry.ac.uk, Professor Hazel Rose Barrett, e-mail: H.Barrett@coventry.ac.uk and/or Professor Lilly Artz, e-mail: Lillian.Artz@uct.ac.za

Citation

Liebling, H.J., Barrett, H.R. and Artz, L. (2020), "Sexual and gender-based violence and torture experiences of Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda: health and justice responses", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 389-414. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-10-2019-0081

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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