Displacement and rape: Haiti's experience since the 2010 earthquake

Background

Displaced women are regarded as at higher risk of experiencing sexual assault than other populations, though there is little evidence supporting this hypothesis. Violence against women is a public health issue due to high morbidity among survivors. This study analyzes whether rape incidence is significantly higher among Haitian women displaced to camps after the 2010 earthquake than women who were not.

 Methods

The 2012 Haitian DHS includes questions about experience of rape and displacement since the earthquake. Probit regression was performed with women reporting living in the displacement camps as the primary independent variable of interest and experience of rape as the outcome. Demographic factors, prior experience of rape, and related community norms were controlled.  

 Results

Women who lived in camps after the earthquake were 23% (95%  CI: 0.058, 0.413) more likely to have reported experiencing rape than women who were not displaced. Women who were divorced, separated or widowed were 15% less likely to have experienced rape (95% CI: -0.228, -0.030). Highly educated women were 6% less likely to have experienced rape (95% CI: -0.108, -0.015).

 Conclusions

These findings support the theory that displacement is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing rape. The reason for this is likely complicated, due to gaps in the infrastructure as well as community norms that might be accepting of a culture of rape. The results support the need for more investigation into the nature of increased risk of rape incidence among vulnerable populations.