‘First you are a victim, then a survivor and finally, a warrior’: Perceptions of refugee women on sexual and gender based violence in the Netherlands

Women forced to flee their home countries face significant challenges, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), which impacts their physical and mental health. Addressing SGBV is complicated by cultural shifts and interaction with new social and legal systems. This study explores how refugee women in the Netherlands perceive SGBV, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV), and how they explain individual and community responses within the resettlement context. We conducted 14 semi-structured interviews and one group interview with 17 women from Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Eritrea. Women's understanding of SGBV evolved over time, influenced by their experiences in the Netherlands. They gained new vocabulary to discuss SGBV and saw the Dutch legal system as a means to break the cycle of violence. However, they also identified context-specific barriers such as double victimization and dependence on partners for residence permits. Women preferred to identify as 'survivors' or 'warriors' rather than 'victims', emphasized supporting other women, and suggested men should also be seen as victims needing support. This study reveals the complex realities and meaning-making processes of refugee women in relation to SGBV. It underscores the importance of focusing on women's agency, and highlights the importance of centering their experiential knowledge in response efforts.