4.11-P11Sexual gender-based violence training in refugee camps in Greece, PHILOS programme

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In 2015, 1,046,599 people arrived to Europe and despite numbers decreasing in 2016, the refugee crisis is still ongoing. Syrians (46%), Afghans (24%) and Iraqis (15%) make up the majority of the 170,000 arrivals in Greece over the same period. Because of the gradual closure of the routes, the journey has become increasingly long and women, men and children may suffer several forms of violence (torture, rape or other forms of sexual violence). Objective: The aim of this project on sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) management training was to contribute to the protection and support of SGBV victims and promote their 1st World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health - Abstract Supplement: Poster Presentations 169 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article-abstract/28/suppl_1/cky048.176/4973499 by guest on 17 March 2020 access to support services. The persons benefiting from the project were operators, cultural mediators, healthcare, psychosocial health and law professionals. Methods: Training modules and materials on the identification of gender-based violence (GBV) cases (screening) and on GBV case management (medical protocol) were developed, along with modes of referral to specialised services (referral system). Training sessions were set up for Ioannina, Thessaloniki, Lesvos, Chios and Attica (2 seminars) over a 4 month period. Outcomes: A protocol on the medical examination of SGBV survivors was developed. Almost 250 health psychosocial and law professionals have been trained by the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Conclusions: The long-term socio-economic benefits of the project are significant as refugees will be able to receive better services, health care, protection and legal support. Policy makers will also benefit and the project will have a long-term impact, bringing better, clearer standards for identifying persons in need of international protection (asylum). The project’s ultimate goal is to trigger the inclusion of specific training materials on GBV in relevant schemes (hospitals, primary health care centres, government and police offices).