Treatment and Interventions for Sexual Assault in Humanitarian Contexts: Addressing Gaps in Refugee and IDP Camp Care in Myanmar

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a pervasive yet under-addressed issue in humanitarian settings. Refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) camps along the Thai– Myanmar border represent a complex nexus of protracted displacement, ethnic conflict, and limited access to medical and psychosocial care. Although the prevalence of sexual assault in these contexts is well-documented, there is a critical gap in the literature regarding effective, context-specific treatment and intervention strategies. This capstone project conducts a comprehensive review of existing research on sexual assault care in humanitarian crises worldwide and assesses its applicability to displaced ethnic minorities from Myanmar. The analysis considers peer-reviewed studies and applies an equity-focused, trauma-informed lens to assess gaps in current practices. Particular attention is paid to culturally specific barriers to care, the role of gender norms and stigma, and the limitations faced by international aid organizations operating in politically sensitive environments. By identifying key limitations in existing models of care worldwide and highlighting promising community-based approaches, this project seeks to inform the development of more effective and culturally appropriate responses to SGBV in protracted crisis settings.