07, Dec 2017 | CJP Team

A study published by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, suggests that sexual violence committed against men and boys in Syria could be more pervasive that was previously assumed. The study included several dozen informants and focus group discussions with 196 refugees in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. Those interviewed reported sexual violence such as rape, genital mutilation, and shooting of genitals at point blank range, largely taking place in temporary prisons or detention. The study also found that those who were gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex were more at risk for sexual violence. Refugee boys outside Syria are also subjected to sexual violence, by local males and/or other male refugees.