Multiple jeopardy: domestic violence and the notion of cumulative risk for women in refugee camps

Abstract

The extent of violence inflicted against refugee women in the country of origin, during flight and in refugee camps is underestimated and often totally ignored by international relief agencies in camps and by resettlement policy makers and service providers in countries such as Australia. We have applied the framework of cumulative risk to highlight some of the specific and compounding issues that make refugee women more vulnerable to domestic violence. Some universal causative factors in cases of spousal violence, including male power and patriarchal cultures are aggravated by the abuses and disadvantages encountered by both refugee men and women in the country of origin and subsequently when living in refugee camps.