Civil and social unrest, human rights abuses, and various acts of violence around the world continue to force many to flee their homelands in search of safety. Such chaos often results in the disintegration of social order, generating widespread gender-based violence. During such struggles, women and girls suffer disproportionately and often are targeted for brutal acts of sexual violence. For forced migrants, their traumatic experiences are further compounded by the complex and often lengthy process of seeking asylum in a host country. Drawing on a clinical case study, this article presents the case of a female asylum seeker in the United States who is a victim of sexual violence. Using Brief Recovery Program for Trauma Survivors to facilitate healing and prevent chronic posttraumatic reactions, this case highlights considerations for promoting emotional well-being within this population. In addition, this case emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary treatment team and comprehensive services to address the multifaceted needs of traumatized forced migrants. © The Author(s) 2012.

Treatment Forced migrants Women Sexual violence

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