Family and community rejection and a Congolese led mediation intervention to reintegrate rejected survivors of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Health Care Women Int. 2013;34(9):736-56. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2012.721418. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Abstract

Our purpose in this study is to describe the multiple and inter-related health, economic, and social reasons for rejection and to provide an example of a Congolese-led family mediation program to reintegrate survivors into their families. We conducted this study in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and included two focus group discussions and twenty-seven interviews. Rejection extends beyond physical dislocation to include economic and social aspects. Family mediation is a process requiring knowledge of traditions and norms. Understanding the context of rejection and supporting promising local reintegration efforts will likely improve health, economic, and social outcomes for the survivor, her family, and her community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Negotiating / methods*
  • Negotiating / psychology
  • Rejection, Psychology*
  • Sex Offenses / ethnology
  • Sex Offenses / psychology*
  • Social Discrimination / ethnology
  • Social Discrimination / psychology*
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Warfare