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

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

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

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.

Access to care in the usual care: Depends on asylum seekers' individual initiatives

Access to care in the Coordinated care model: Systematically initiated from registration at the first reception centre (PADA)

Coordination: Fragmented, dependent on local structures

Coordination: Provided by a coordinating care professionnal

Detection of sexual violence: Based on victims' self-reporting

Detection of sexual violence: Proactive approach with health mediation and training of healthcare professionals

Medical follow-up: Irregular, often interrupted due to precarious living conditions

Medical follow-up: Progressive integration into mainstream healthcare services

Training of professionals: Variable, not standardized

Training of professionals: Specialized and systematic training on sexual violence

Study 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.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Occurrence of sexual violence within 12 months after inclusion — 12 months after inclusion
  The primary outcome is the occurrence of sexual violence during the first 12 months following inclusion. Sexual violence is defined as the occurrence of at least one of the following events: rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, or sexual exhibition, as assessed through structured interviews administered at follow-up visits.

Trial sites (6)

More Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille trials in France

Other trials for the same condition