Seeking Safety, Facing Sexual Violence: The Harrowing Journey of Migrants to the US Border

In a harrowing quest for refuge, thousands of South American migrants trek through treacherous pathways like the Darién Gap, only to be met with a surge in sexual violence—a disturbing trend casting a shadow over hopes for a new life. Venezuelan native Marina and her family’s odyssey is one of desperation and dread, embodying the escalating perils faced by asylum seekers, especially women and girls.

The Darién Gap, a notorious migratory chokepoint, recorded an alarming 397 cases of sexual violence in 2023, according to treatment data by the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), doubling the incidents reported in the previous year. These figures starkly represent the broader ordeal many face, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency documents unprecedented interactions with undocumented migrants—over 2.4 million in 2023.

Most sexual violence survivors along migration routes tend to be adult women, and startlingly, minors make up 6 percent of these cases, casting a stark light on the grave dangers that the most vulnerable face. The deep-seated issue of under-reporting compounds the crisis, according to MSF, which could mean the actual numbers are much higher than official records suggest.

In Tijuana, Mexico, organizations like the Refugee Health Alliance (RHA) witness the impact of such traumas. Midwife Ximena Rojas has seen migrant women take desperate measures such as “anti-Mexico vaccines”—long-term contraception injections—to protect themselves from the anticipated sexual assault on their journey north. This grim nomenclature reflects a resigned acceptance of violence as the cost for a chance at a better existence.

While physical care for survivors is vital, addressing the psychological aftermath is also critical. Therapist Diana Arenas with RHA encounters many who block out the traumatic experiences, as immediate intervention might unravel memories they are not yet ready to cope with. These circumstances underscore the pressing need for specialized care and support systems along migration pathways.

Advocates and organizations such as the Centre for Justice for Women in Baja California call for enhanced resources to both prevent and respond to the violence and for government policy reforms that do not inadvertently compound migrants' vulnerabilities.

A report from Human Rights First connects increased attacks—including sexual violence—to recent changes in U.S. asylum policies, demonstrating how procedural hurdles and technology barriers, like the criticized CBP One app, leave asylum seekers stranded and exposed to severe risks.

These unfolding human tragedies at the US-Mexico border demand immediate attention and reforms, not only to provide asylum seekers like Marina and her daughters with the necessary protections and support but to also ensure that the pursuit of safety does not become a journey marked by violation and fear.