Peer-reviewed article

Disclosure and help-seeking experiences of childhood sexual violence survivors in refugee settings of Ethiopia and Uganda

Yadeta Dessie, Bonnie Wandera, George Odwe, Francis Obare, Dagim Fisseha Habteyesus et al. · 29 Aug 2026

Abstract

Disclosure and help-seeking are critical to mitigating the adverse health and social outcomes of sexual violence among survivors. However, evidence regarding these experiences remains scarce in refugee settings. We aimed to examine disclosure and help-seeking experiences among survivors of childhood sexual violence in refugee settings across Ethiopia and Uganda. This study used data from the Humanitarian Violence Against Children Surveys (HVACS) conducted in Ethiopia (2024) and Uganda (2022). Both surveys involved females and males aged 13–24 years living in refugee settings. It included 249 childhood sexual violence survivors from Ethiopia and 268 from Uganda, totaling 517 participants. Logistic regression identified factors associated with both disclosure and help-seeking experiences. Disclosure experience was reported by 41·27% (95% CI: 28·69–55·11) in Ethiopia and 15·85% (95% CI: 9 · 17–26·03) in Uganda. Help-seeking was reported by 27.53% (95% CI: 19·07–37·98) in Ethiopia and 4·32% (95% CI: 1.49–11.91) in Uganda. Disclosure was positively associated with living in a female-headed household (aOR 3·38, 95% CI: 1·71–6·66) and knowing where to seek help (aOR 2·49, 95% CI: 1·42–4·36), whereas living with a disability was associated with lower odds of disclosure (aOR 0·34, 95% CI 0·15–0·76). Help-seeking was higher among those who knew where to get services (aOR 3·93, 95% CI: 1·73–8·90), but lower among those with primary education or less (aOR 0·31, 95% CI: 0·11–0·92). Disclosure and help-seeking by survivors were low. Targeted awareness creations, disability-inclusive services, and empowerment of women and caregivers through education and community leadership are required.