Rape, transactional sex and related factors among migrants in transit through Mexico to the USA

Narrative strategies to re-signify sexual violence among gender and sexuality diverse Central American migrants in Tijuana

This study discusses how gender and sexuality diverse Central American migrants, currently staying at shelters in Tijuana, reconstruct experiences of sexual violence in their lives, both during childhood and throughout their migratory journey. It analyses the narrative strategies used to re-signify these experiences in the present, to construct possible futures as sexual subjects. In-depth autobiographical interviews were conducted with nine Central American migrants of diverse genders and sexualities and were analysed using an approach inspired by dramaturgical analysis. We identified the most significant events, characters and settings related to experiences of sexual violence. Three main strategies of resignification were identified: the reaffirmation of pleasure, desire, or consent; the decision to emigrate; and entry into loving-affective relationships. The focus on the analysis of sexual violence before and during the migration event represents a contribution to the ongoing debate on sexuality, gender, and migration. Strategies of resignification allow participants to imagine possible narratives future as subjects who wish to express their gender identity and sexuality freely.

Mexicans vs Central Americans: Violented Migrants Crossing Mexico

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization considers that migrants who pass through the Mexico-US walkway suffer high levels of violence, compared to other regions of the world, mainly women. This study aims to identify the factors associated with the types of violence suffered by migrants in transit through Mexico to the USA.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, exploratory, retrospective, and observational study was conducted. A questionnaire of 46 variables was applied, divided into four sections: sociodemographic background, leaving the home, transit, and stay at the border. Questions about different types of direct violence were included. The survey was applied to 612 Mexican and Central American migrants who were in the Chaparral customs office and in five shelters in Tijuana City, on the U.S.-Mexico border. The results were analyzed using descriptive techniques and multivariate analysis of main and inferential components, using the statistical program R.

RESULTS

The higher vulnerability of Central American migrants compared to Mexicans was documented, specially of women that proportionally were the most negatively affected victims including all types of violence, making it evident that one of each four was violented sexually and among them, only 50% asked for medical assistance. The multivariate analysis determined that the duration of the trip, and the type of transport can generate greater violence.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the greater vulnerability of Central American migrants in their transit through Mexico, mainly women and, likewise, the lack of effective public policies that guarantee the protection of the health, safety, and human rights of migrants.

Prevalence and risk factors for transactional sex among Swedish-born and foreign-born MSM in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Little is known about transactional sex (TS) (selling and buying sex) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sweden, especially among foreign-born MSM. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of TS (ever and in the previous five years) among MSM living in Sweden and to determine if there is a difference between Swedish-born MSM and foreign-born MSM.

METHODS

Swedish data from a multicountry online banner survey (EMIS-2017) was used (n = 4443). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ever-selling sex among all MSM participants was 13.2% and 5.9% in the previous five years. Selling sex ever and in the previous five years was higher among foreign-born MSM (16% and 8.4%, respectively) than Swedish-born MSM (12.7% and 5.4%, respectively). Among all participants, younger age (aOR:3.19, 95% CI:1.57-6.45) and really struggling to live on current income (aOR:3.37, 95% CI:2.29-4.96) increased the odds of selling sex. Being foreign-born MSM (aOR:1.33, 95% CI:1.02-1.73) and having had sex with a woman in the previous 12 months increased the odds of selling sex (aOR:1.44, 95% CI:1.00-2.07). The prevalence of ever buying sex among MSM participants in Sweden was 10.8% and 6.7% in the previous five years, with the same trend among foreign-born MSM (11.6% and 6.9%, respectively) and Swedish-born MSM (10.7% and 6.6%, respectively). Higher education and not having a current partner increased the odds of buying sex. Younger age was protective for buying sex (aOR:0.05, 95% CI:0.02-0.14). Among the foreign-born MSM, the length of stay in Sweden decreased the odds of buying sex (aOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

The comparatively high prevalence of TS among MSM participants in Sweden, where buying sex is illegal, with a higher prevalence among foreign-born MSM participants, calls for sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in this population. Increased attention, including HIV prevention programming and education, should be aimed at younger MSM, MSM struggling with their current income, and foreign-born MSM, as they are more likely to report selling sex.

Mobility Imaginaries of Humanitarian Intervention: Gender, Migration, and Violence along Mexico's Southern Border

Thousands of Central American women have been displaced from their countries of origin by violence. While the violence committed against them is often portrayed as isolated acts of aggression, women's suffering is also produced and perpetuated by humanitarian interventions that immobilize women in dangerous transit zones. Interventions are then justified by institutional logics that juxtapose women's vulnerability against the threat of their own mobility. This article draws on 14 months of ethnographic fieldwork along the southern Mexico border among migrant women who sought out humanitarian assistance following violent encounters. Central to my argument is the concept of mobility imaginaries, or widely shared social assumptions about how mobility should and can be accessed, by whom, and under what circumstances. Through this framework, I show how gendered mobility biases that underlie institutional logics compound other forms of institutional inequality, which often serves to reproduce, rather than mitigate, root causes of gender-based vulnerability.

Migrant experiences of sexual and gender based violence: a critical interpretative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Gender based violence (GBV) is a critical issue and migrants are at higher risk of experiencing and being victimized by GBV. This critical interpretative synthesis (CIS) examines migrants experiences of GBV with a focus on different migrant groups and experiences at different stages of the migrant journey.

METHOD

The guiding question of this review is: "how do migrants experience gender-based violence?" A total of 84 studies were included in the CIS, of which 67 peer-reviewed academic articles were selected from 2356 studies found on WebofScience, MedLINE, and ProQuest, and 17 relevant studies from the grey literature were selected from the time period 2011 to 2020. All final studies were reviewed and synthesized using a critical inductive approach to formulate the key results.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate a high prevalence of GBV amongst migrants, and in particular among vulnerable migrant groups such as forced migrants and irregular migrants, with an emerging focus on male victims. Findings of the CIS revealed three key themes: 1) Most GBV occurrences are rooted in unequal power dynamics; 2) Victims often live with long-lasting consequences that are worsened by their fear of disclosure and stigmatization; 3) There are differential understandings of victimhood across organizations, communities, and victims themselves. In order to support access, sampling, and methodological challenges in this field of research, this article also reports its findings on common risk-factors identified, consequences and coping mechanisms reported, protection policies targeting GBV, and finally, available databases and data collection methods.

CONCLUSION

Further directions for research should be encouraged to move beyond prevalence reporting into identifying risk-factors and possible prevention in both sexes. In addition, more research on GBV experiences throughout migrants' journeys, and coping mechanisms should be encouraged.

Migrant Shelters’ response to COVID-19: comparative case study in four cities close to the Mexico-United States border

Introduction

In the context of a health contingency such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, some groups may remain invisible, so that their health needs go unnoticed. These groups include migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees (MAR). In Mexico there is a network of migrant shelters (casas del migrante-CM) that provide humanitarian assistance, including access to heath care. Given the major role of the CM in caring for migrants, it was important to identify the main elements of their internal capacities, and of the external resources in the cities in which they are located, that contributed to their role in protecting MRA`s health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

we use a comparative case study approach to understand, explain, and compare how internal capacities and external resources available to four CM in the north of Mexico, influenced the development and implementation of COVID-19 related strategies to protect MRA. The project took place during 2021 in Saltillo and Piedras Negras in Coahuila; Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. A total of 18 in-depth interviews were performed with key actors from the CM, academia, health care services and international agencies.

Results

We found a range from a total closure of one CM, to the continuation of operation of three of them, with differences in the strategies developed to provide services and avoid infections within the facilities. MARs’ still face multiple barriers to exercise their right to health, and the response of local governments towards migration and health impacts the response that CM were able to implement.

Conclusion

There is a need to strengthening the preparedness and response capacities and coordination mechanisms of local, state and federal authorities to attain their responsibilities in the provision of services directed to MAR, including access to health care.

Food insecurity and coping strategies in international migrants in transit through Mexico

Background

Although migrants in transit through Mexico have been known to consume insufficient food, data measuring food insecurity (FI) in this vulnerable population is scarce. This study assesses FI in migrants transiting Mexico by examining economic, physical and social food access.

Methods

Using a mixed-methods design and a convenience sample of migrants residing in a temporary shelter in Saltillo, Coahuila in northern Mexico, we applied 1) the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (adapted), and 2) a semi-structured interview exploring FI coping strategies.

Results

Of the 54 participants, 74.1% reported moderate or severe FI and 24.1% reported severe FI, especially reduced food quantity. Interviewees reported poverty, cargo train travel, and crime as FI contributing factors. All interviewees used FI coping strategies, principally altering food intake and using social resources. Many strategies reported implied negative consequences for both nutrition and general health.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of FI in a mobile population using a standard international measure. Results confirm widespread and severe FI, highlighting a potential humanitarian crisis requiring both national and international attention. Further research is critical to inform strategies for guaranteeing the right to food access for migrants in transit through third (non-destination) countries.

Sexual violence against migrants and asylum seekers. The experience of the MSF clinic on Lesvos Island, Greece

Objectives

Sexual violence can have a destructive impact on the lives of people. It is more common in unstable conditions such as during displacement or migration of people. On the Greek island of Lesvos, Médecins Sans Frontières provided medical care to survivors of sexual violence among the population of asylum seekers. This study describes the patterns of sexual violence reported by migrants and asylum seekers and the clinical care provided to them.

Methods

This is a descriptive study, using routine program data. The study population consisted of migrants and asylum seekers treated for conditions related to sexual violence at the Médecins Sans Frontières clinic on Lesvos Island (September 2017-January 2018).

Results

There were 215 survivors of sexual violence who presented for care, of whom 60 (28%) were male. The majority of incidents reported (94%) were cases of rape; 174 (81%) of survivors were from Africa and 185 (86%) of the incidents occurred over a month before presentation. Half the incidents (118) occurred in transit, mainly in Turkey, and 76 (35%) in the country of origin; 10 cases (5%) occurred on Lesvos. The perpetrator was known to the survivor in 23% of the cases. The need for mental health care exceeded the capacity of available mental care services.

Conclusion

Even though the majority of cases delayed seeking medical care after the incident, it is crucial that access to mental health services is guaranteed for those in need. Such access and security measures for people in transit need to be put in place along migration routes, including in countries nominally considered safe, and secure routes need to be developed.