High Prevalence of Self-Reported Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Internally Displaced Women in Azerbaijan

Citation:

Kerimova, Jamila, Samuel Posner, Y. Teresa Brown, Susan Hillis, Susan Meikle, and Ann Duerr. 2003. “High Prevalence of Self-Reported Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Internally Displaced Women in Azerbaijan.” American Journal of Public Health 93 (7): 1067–70.

Authors: Jamila Kerimova, Samuel Posner, Y. Teresa Brown, Susan Hillis, Susan Meikle, Ann Duerr

Abstract:

Previous reports have shown that forced sexual intercourse and other forms of gender-based violence are a persistent public health problem for refugee or internally displaced women. (Internal displacement is defined as forced relocation within a person’s country of citizenship because of some catastrophic event.) In some settings, the proportion of refugee or internally displaced women reporting some type of gender-based violence exceeds 60%. Sexual violence against refugee or internally displaced women can cause women to flee their homelands. Unfortunately, these women are not always safe from harm after their relocation or after resettlement. Investigation of sexual violence affecting these women, its incidence, prevalence, and correlates is critical to the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Refugees, Gender, Women, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Reproductive Health, Sexual Violence, Rape Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Azerbaijan

Year: 2003