Gender and refugee resettlement: The role of proximal and distal stressors in the experiences of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

Migration and indeed forced migration are gendered as are resettlement processes. This chapter examines the gendered nature of refugee integration focusing upon refugee survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The chapter focuses on the impact of violence, from distal events of physical and sexual violence, which happen during conflict and flight, to proximal everyday violence including interpersonal violence in detention, camps and resettlement and finally the structural and symbolic violence associated with gendered asylum processes. We argue that interventions are required to support the integration of refugee women which account for, and address, the multiple forms of violence they face. These include recognising the gendered nature of integration processes and specifically taking account of the state's role as a perpetrator of violence against refugee women.