@article{ref1,
title="The potential role of network-oriented interventions for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence among asylum seekers in Belgium",
journal="BMC public health",
year="2021",
author="Jbour, Alaa and Ogbe, Emilomo and Degomme, Olivier and Unnithan, Maya and Rahbari, Ladan",
volume="21",
number="1",
pages="e25-e25",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Social support and social network members have been identified as an important factor in mitigating the effects of sexual and gender-based violence  (SGBV) and improving the coping process for many survivors. Network oriented  strategies have been advocated for among domestic violence survivors, as they help  build on improving social support and addressing factors that alleviate repeat  victimization. There are opportunities to implement such strategies among asylum  seekers who are survivors of SGBV in asylum centres, however, this has not been  fully explored. This study sought to identify key strategies and opportunities for  developing peer-led and network-oriented strategies for mitigating the effects of  SGBV among asylum seekers at these centres. <br><br>METHODS: Twenty-seven interviews, were  conducted with service providers (n = 14) / asylum seekers (n = 13) at three asylum  centres in Belgium. A theoretical model developed by the research team from a  literature review and discussions with experts and stakeholders, was used as a  theoretical framework to analyse the data. An abduction approach with qualitative  content analysis was used by the two researchers to analyse the data. Data  triangulation was done with findings from observations at these centres over a  period of a year. <br><br>RESULTS: Many of the asylum seekers presented with PTSD or  psychosomatic symptoms, because of different forms of SGBV, including intimate  partner violence, or other trauma experienced during migration. Peer and family  support were very influential in mitigating the effects and social costs of violence  among the asylum seekers by providing emotional and material support. Social  assistants were viewed as an information resource that was essential for most of the  asylum seekers. Peer-peer support was identified as a potential tool for mitigating  the effects of SGBV. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Interventions involving asylum seekers and members  of their network (especially peers), have the potential for improving physical and  mental health outcomes of asylum seekers who are SGBV survivors.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-2458",
doi="10.1186/s12889-020-10049-0",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10049-0"
}