From Survival to Recognition: Challenging Myths on Sexual & Gender-Based Violence in Asylum Procedures

This PhD analyses how rape myths – incorrect beliefs about rape (survivors/perpetrators) – permeate asylum decision making. It translated ‘rape myths’ in the criminal justice context to ‘SGBV myths’ in the asylum context, identified 6 relevant SGBV myths, and analysed their acceptance/rebuttal in Belgian asylum decisions, as well as how the procedural frameworks impact these. The methodology consisted of: a (case) law and literature analysis, interviews with asylum applicants and officials, and a survey with asylum officials. It concluded that 76% of the analysed decisions (n=202) relied on at least 1 SGBV myth, with acceptance occurring across all types of SGBV, all regions of origin, and all procedural stages/languages, regardless of applicants’ age or gender. SGBV myth acceptance in the asylum context is an alarmingly pervasive phenomenon, calling for urgent change, to which end the research formulates tailored conclusions/recommendations.