SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF SYRIAN FEMALE YOUTH IN JORDANIAN REFUGEE CAMPS

  • Mohammed Abdel Karim Al-Hourani University of Sharjah
  • Abdel Baset Azzam Yarmouk University
  • Addison J. Mott University of Victoria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18357/ijcyfs104.1201919285

Abstract

This study aimed at documenting the sexual harassment of Syrian female refugees in refugee camps in Jordan. A purposive sample of 187 Syrian female refugees in the Za’atari camp was selected. The results showed that the environment of the camp played an important role in motivating males to harass females owing to the weakness of the security measures and the lack of sanctions upon deviant behaviors. Our findings show that females were subjected to numerous forms of sexual harassment, including hearing sexual jokes and sexual expressions, and being subjected to suggestive looks, sexual letters, and unwanted touching. Additionally, our results revealed that participants responded to sexual harassment by keeping silent because they feared making their situation worse by provoking conflict within their families. This left the victims without protection or the chance to obtain justice.

Author Biographies

Mohammed Abdel Karim Al-Hourani, University of Sharjah

Associate Professor of Applied Sociological Theory, Sociology Department

Abdel Baset Azzam, Yarmouk University

Assistant Professor, Political Sociology

Addison J. Mott, University of Victoria

MA candidate, School of Child and Youth Care

Published
2019-11-26
Issue
Vol 10 No 4.1 (2019): Special Issue: "The Crisis of Syrian Youth and Child Refugees in Jordan: Inside and Outside Refugee Camps"
Section
Articles

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