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It Happened in the Desert, in Libya and in Italy: Physical and Sexual Violence Experienced by Female Nigerian Victims of Trafficking in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Adeyinka

    (Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Ine Lietaert

    (Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Ilse Derluyn

    (Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

Abstract

Nigerian girls and women constitute a large percentage of African victims of human trafficking in Italy. Extensive research has been conducted on the causes, push-and-pull factors, and the perpetrators in the phenomenon of trafficking Nigerian women and girls into Italy. However, limited data exist on the women and girls’ narratives of their experiences during their migratory journey from Nigeria to Europe. Using data collected through a mixed method, longitudinal design, 31 female Nigerian victims of trafficking in Italy were interviewed for this study. This study gives voice to the experiences of sexual violence that these women and girls encounter during transit, leading to many of them arriving in Italy severely traumatized. It also discusses the health impact of these experiences and the different survival strategies that they are forced to employ. The study shows how sexual and physical violence is employed by smugglers, traffickers, and people in authority alike. It shows that the violence experienced along the way does not end after arrival in the destination country (in this case, Italy), but is, in some cases, exacerbated and similar to previous experiences of violence.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Adeyinka & Ine Lietaert & Ilse Derluyn, 2023. "It Happened in the Desert, in Libya and in Italy: Physical and Sexual Violence Experienced by Female Nigerian Victims of Trafficking in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4309-:d:1083304
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lotte De Schrijver & Tom Vander Beken & Barbara Krahé & Ines Keygnaert, 2018. "Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Migrants, Applicants for International Protection, and Refugees in Europe: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Giacomo Orsini & Marina Rota & Océane Uzureau & Malte Behrendt & Sarah Adeyinka & Ine Lietaert & Ilse Derluyn, 2022. "Loops of Violence(s) Within Europe’s Governance of Migration in Libya, Italy, Greece, and Belgium," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(2), pages 256-266.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Adeyinka & Ine Lietaert & Ilse Derluyn, 2023. "The Role of Juju Rituals in Human Trafficking of Nigerians: A Tool of Enslavement, But Also Escape," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.
    2. Daniel Tuki, 2024. "Gender and migration aspirations in Nigeria: A comparative study of the states of Edo and Kaduna," HiCN Working Papers 408, Households in Conflict Network.

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