TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - The medico-legal assessment of asylum seeker victims in Italy
JO  - Torture: quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture
A1  - Magli, Francesca
A1  - Franceschetti, Lorenzo
A1  - Maggioni, Lidia
A1  - Cerutti, Elisa
A1  - Armocida, Andrea
A1  - Marzagalia, Marzia
A1  - Muccino, Angelo
A1  - Kustermann, Alessandra
A1  - Cattaneo, Cristina
SP  - 47
EP  - 55
VL  - 29
IS  - 1
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Changing patterns of migration has required states and governments to respond to the specific medical and legal needs of asylum seekers. Based on medical assessments undertaken at the University Institute of Legal Medicine, the present study aims to describe the cases of asylum applicants who have suffered from physical violence, including torture, and the variables involved. <br><br>METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 225 survivors were examined by clinical forensic professionals from the University Institute of Legal Medicine. <br><br>RESULTS: 85% of asylum applicants came from Africa, 87% were male, and the most common age group was 26-40 years old. 46% of applicants fled their country for political reasons. Blunt force injuries were reported in 45% of cases, the trunk was the most affected area of the body (40%), and applicants presented with an average of two different mechanisms of lesions and an average of four lesions each. <br><br>DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Assessment of physical violence on asylum seekers requires the cooperation of professionals with different skillsets and training.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1018-8185
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.7146/torture.v29i1.111067
ID  - ref1
ER  -