Study turns focus on sex abuse among migrants

Migrants trying to reach Europe face routine rape and sexual torture throughout their journey, according to a study based on dozens of interviews with aid workers and migrants.

The graphic study by the Women’s Refugee Commission found that smugglers tortured migrants and film it to extract ransom payments. Previous studies found nearly all women who cross from North Africa have been sexually abused along the journey, and this report found the danger was nearlyasprevalentamongmen. Migrants told horrific stories about mass sexual abuse intended to humiliate detainees.

“The minute people are stopped at sea, Europeans wash their hands of it,” said Hassiba Hadj-sahraoui, adviser for Doctors Without Borders.