Peer-reviewed article
Violence Against Children in Syrian Refugee Camps and Villages: The Need for Equitable Solutions to a Growing Global Health Crisis
Michelle E. E. Bauer, Jana Abdelhameed, Elise Presser, Ian Pike, Samar Al‐Hajj ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explored Syrian refugee families' perspectives on violence against children in Lebanese refugee camps and villages through interviews with 90 families. Researchers identified two main themes: xenophobia and exclusion, and gender-based assault and vulnerability. The findings highlight how social inequities and discrimination contribute to violence risk for refugee children. The study argues that addressing these underlying causes is essential for effective violence prevention in refugee settings.
Key points
- Children in refugee camps and villages face high risk of violence linked to social and material deprivation
- Xenophobia and exclusion are significant factors contributing to violence against Syrian refugee children
- Gender-based assault and vulnerability were identified as major concerns for refugee families
- Refugee families' lived experiences are rarely included in research on violence prevention
- Trauma- and violence-informed prevention approaches addressing social inequities are needed
Limitations
This study documents families' perspectives on violence but does not measure prevalence rates or outcomes of specific interventions. The findings are based on qualitative data from one country context and may not be generalizable to other refugee settings.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children experiencing social and material deprivation, such as those in refugee camps and villages displaced due to armed conflict in the global south, are at high risk of experiencing violence. Problematically, the lived experiences of refugee families are rarely accounted for in research, meaning causes and consequences of violence against children may be misunderstood and/or unidentified. This study is part of a larger research project conducted through international collaborative efforts in Lebanon to work with Syrian refugee families and identify areas for safety and injury prevention. We explore the question: "What are families' perspectives on violence against children in refugee camps and villages?" METHODS: We used a trauma- and violence-informed prevention lens and conducted semi-structured interviews with 90 families in three refugee camps and four villages. RESULTS: Findings from a reflexive thematic analysis were twofold: (1) xenophobia and exclusion; and (2) gender-based assault and vulnerability. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate ways in which trauma and violence prevention efforts, such as addressing social inequities shaping discrimination and gender-based assault, can reduce the risk of Syrian refugee children experiencing severe injuries and loss of life. We argue these efforts are necessary for equity-centred violence prevention practice in Lebanon and on a global scale.