Working with men and boy survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in forced displacement

Sexual violence against men and boys in conflicts, asylum, detention and forced displacement is seriously underreported and is accompanied in virtually all societies with taboo and stigma that keeps many survivors from speaking about their experiences, accessing services, and recovering. Refugee men and boys can be subjected to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Survivors have specific health, psychosocial, legal, and safety needs, but often find it hard to discuss their experience and access the support they need. It is important that UNHCR and its partners take steps to address these difficulties. The objectives of this note are to emphasise that programmes on sexual and gender-based violence need to include men and boys, and to provide guidance on how to access survivors, facilitate reporting, provide protection and deliver essential medical, legal and social services. In this context, UNHCR has developed this new Need to Know Guide on “Working with Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Forced Displacement”.