Study on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Consequences of Sexual Violence Suffered by Female Asylum Seekers in France

Summary

Women seeking asylum (WSA) are overexposed to sexual violence (SV) in their countries of origin, along migration routes, and within host countries. This overexposure does not cease upon arrival in host countries; on the contrary, the first months following arrival are characterised by heightened vulnerability, with an increased incidence of sexual violence, particularly among women with a prior history of victimisation.

Sexual violence has major consequences on physical health, mental health, quality of life, and healthcare utilisation, and generates substantial individual and societal costs. International organisations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have identified the prevention of sexual violence and the improvement of care for survivors as public health priorities.

Previous work suggests that addressing sexual violence within primary care, when embedded in a comprehensive, culturally informed, and coordinated approach integrating medical, psychological, social, and medico-legal dimensions, may contribute to preventing the occurrence or recurrence of sexual violence in host countries. However, no comparative study has yet evaluated the effectiveness of such a coordinated model of care on the prevention of sexual violence among women seeking asylum, nor assessed its efficiency or transferability.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a coordinated, transcultural, multidisciplinary outpatient care model on the prevention of sexual violence occurring in host European countries among women seeking asylum.

Conditions

• Sexual Violence
• Refugee Health
• Physical Health
• Mental Health
• Quality of Life
• Access to Recommended Healthcare

Interventions

OTHER

care coordinator

The care coordinator ensures organisation of the care pathway, liaison between professionals, and longitudinal follow-up in collaboration with a general practitioner.

OTHER

a trained health mediator

The health mediator facilitates communication, supports participants in navigating healthcare and social systems, and helps reduce linguistic, cultural, and administrative barriers.

OTHER

Access to care in the usual care

Depends on asylum seekers' individual initiatives

OTHER

Access to care in the Coordinated care model

Systematically initiated from registration at the first reception centre (PADA)

OTHER

Coordination

Fragmented, dependent on local structures

OTHER

Coordination

Provided by a coordinating care professionnal

OTHER

Detection of sexual violence

Based on victims' self-reporting

OTHER

Detection of sexual violence

Proactive approach with health mediation and training of healthcare professionals

OTHER

Medical follow-up

Irregular, often interrupted due to precarious living conditions

OTHER

Medical follow-up

Progressive integration into mainstream healthcare services

OTHER

Training of professionals

Variable, not standardized

OTHER

Training of professionals

Specialized and systematic training on sexual violence

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• François Crémieux · AP-HM

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-30

Primary Completion

2028-04-30

Completion

2028-09-30

Countries

• France

Study Locations