The sexual abuse of adolescent boys in humanitarian emergencies: A qualitative study of how international humanitarian organisations are responding

Abstract

Background

Over the last decade, public health research has increasingly shown that humanitarian emergencies can negatively impact the wellbeing of adolescents. However, recent studies have largely not addressed the differentiated impact on adolescent boys or how humanitarians are responding.

Objective

We sought to understand how humanitarian organisations respond to child sexual abuse against adolescent boys in humanitarian emergencies.

Participants and setting

Sixteen humanitarian staff based in Geneva, Switzerland, and 35 humanitarian staff and 52 child protection caseworkers from the Rohingya refugee crisis response in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Methods

We employed a critical ethnographic research design. Between September 2018 and October 2019, we conducted interviews with humanitarians in Geneva, as well as interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of the humanitarian response to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.

Results

Sexual abuse of adolescent boys is present in numerous humanitarian emergencies and boys appear to be at risk in certain contexts, including workplaces, streets, and shelters. Humanitarian actors are responding through individualised casework but referrals to services are often limited by the operating environment. The most promising approaches to support survivors are specifically accessible to adolescent boys and provided by services that boys trust. Of note, humanitarian responsibility for adolescent boy survivors appears to be a context-specific negotiation between humanitarian sectors and this may be causing difficulties in the delivery of effective interventions.

Conclusion

Humanitarian actors should employ a more systematic approach to supporting adolescent boys that experience child sexual abuse, as an important matter for adolescent rights and health equity.