The Long Term Effects of Sexual Assault on Congolese Refugees
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the midst of a humanitarian emergency. The United Nations estimates that 63% of the population lives below the poverty line with approximately 5 million people displaced from their homes. Human Rights Watch stated that, “tens of thousands of women, girls, men, and boys have been raped and otherwise sexually abused. The exact number of victims is unknown.” When individuals become victims of sexual assault, a life-long struggle with trauma begins.
Armed groups in the Congo often use rape as, “a weapon of war” (Human Rights Watch). In war-torn areas, sexual assault is used to display force over others. This abuse of power can be used to punish those belonging to certain ethnic groups or those who support opposing political factions. Many women and girls do not report these incidents for fear of being outcast by their families. Even if survivors are able to report their experiences, medical services often do not exist in remote parts of the country. Other times, threats may stop individuals from seeking support after their attack. Services provided directly after these incidents are extremely minimal.
Columbus, Ohio is home to many resettled refugees from the Congo. Once they are resettled, they are physically safe, but the trauma of their experiences stays with them. Since the rates of sexual assault in the DRC are so high, this long-lasting trauma is a major problem in the resettled Congolese community. When one combines the trauma of sexual assault with the challenges of being resettled in a brand country, refugees from the Congo are often at an extreme disadvantage for landing on their feet and taking care of their families.
After experiencing sexual assault, victims may develop negative mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Symptoms of these conditions often manifest in negative physical health. Victims may develop eating disorders, substance abuse issues, or other issues related to behavioral health (Very Well Mind). All of these effects make it increasingly difficult for resettled refugees to learn a new language, find a new job, and maintain their household.
Services provided for survivors of sexual assault in Ohio may not be accessible to those from the Congo due to language differences, cultural barriers or lack of transportation. These former refugees are often not made aware of what services are even an option for them. The next challenge is trying to navigate the healthcare system in America. These hurdles can feel never ending when one is trying to balance so much at once. Congolese refugees who are victims of sexual assault need culturally competent trauma informed care that is often not available. Without tools to effectively deal with past trauma, individuals find their problems growing on top of each other.