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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 3 | Page : 207-222 |
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Refugee women survivors of war related sexualised violence: a multicultural framework for service provision in resettlement countries
Sophie C Yohani1, Kristine T Hagen2
1 psychologist and assistant professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta. Her research and practice focuses on war-related sexualized violence and the mental health of refugee children, women and families based on pre and post migration experiences and service implications in education and community settings
2 received her counselling psychology training from the University of Alberta. Her interests include practice with survivors of sexualised violence, refugee trauma, somatic forms of healing from trauma, and therapist/researcher self-care
Correspondence Address:
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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This paper explores the question of redressing war related sexualised violence, often referred to as war rape, with refugee women in resettlement contexts using a Canadian case example. The first part of the paper uses theory and research to frame sexualised violence as a tool of war whose practice and impact are shaped by gender and cultural factors. This section highlights how, for survivors, the combination of psychological trauma and socio-cultural factors in post migration environments can create barriers for seeking help, social support, as well as vulnerability to further victimisation and mental health difficulties. The second section provides a case example of a community based mental health initiative in Canada for survivors of war related sexualised violence. The case explores the use of a psychosocial framework that integrates cultural competency, gender perspectives, and community advocacy. Challenges and opportunities of service provision in resettlement contexts are discussed, and recommendations are provided for multicultural mental health practice that is collaborative, community oriented, and sensitive to trauma survivors' needs.
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