Refugee claimants have reported sexual harassment and violence in some refugee reception centers on the Greek islands, where bathing, even during the day, can be dangerous, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Friday (9).
Refugee claimants have reported sexual harassment and violence in some refugee reception centers on the Greek islands, where bathing, even during the day, can be dangerous, said the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) this Friday (9).
"In 2017, UNHCR received reports of 622 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Greek Aegean islands, of whom at least 28% experienced such violence after arriving in Greece," said UNHCR spokesperson Cécile Pouilly at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Women cited inappropriate behavior, sexual harassment and attempted sexual attacks as the most common forms of violence.
"The situation is particularly worrying in the reception and identification centers of Moria (Lesbos) and Vathy (Samos), where thousands of refugees remain in precarious shelters with inadequate security," he added.
Around 5,500 people are in these centers, which is twice their capacity. Reports of sexual harassment in Moria are particularly frequent.
"In these two centers, toilets and latrines are no-go areas after dark for women and children, unless they are accompanied. Even bathing during the day can be dangerous. In Moria, one woman told our teams that she hadn't bathed for two months because of fear."
Attempts to identify and help survivors are hampered by reluctance to report attacks due to discrimination, stigma and retaliation, despair and lack of confidence in reporting - including to the UNHCR mental health service. Therefore, the actual number of incidents is likely to be even higher.
In recent weeks, the authorities have accelerated transfers, slightly reducing overcrowding, but it continues to hamper prevention activities.
"Insecurity is another problem," said the spokeswoman. "Although there are police patrols, they remain insufficient, particularly at night, and do not cover all the areas adjacent to the refugee centers, where people stay in tents without the presence of the police."
Such conditions are also generating frustration among refugees, leading to an atmosphere of tension, which increases the risk of sexual and gender-based violence.
While the UNHCR praised the government's measures to reduce the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, more steps need to be taken to protect refugees, including children, women and men.
Pouilly listed these steps, which involve separation by gender - including separate shelters and safe, well-lit bathing areas; better conditions and services; a greater police presence, with more officers; more lighting in public areas; more transfers to reduce overcrowding; more staff dedicated to dealing with the issue; and more warning activities.
"UNHCR will continue to work and stands ready to support the government to strengthen its operational response and capacity building to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and to identify survivors and send them to appropriate services and shelters," Pouilly said.
Source: UN