Half of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers have faced violence, exclusion in Dutch shelters: COC

LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers still feel unsafe in Dutch shelters, COC Nederland found in a study. Over half have experienced violence or discrimination. The advocacy group for people from the LGBTQIA+ community urged the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) to take measures.

COC interviewed 54 LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees for its study. 57 percent of them have experienced verbal abuse, bullying, threats, or physical violence. The perpetrators are often other residents of the shelter, but sometimes also locals living near the shelter or even COA staff, COC reported.

Only 20 percent of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers feel safe enough to always be open about their identity. Others often feel like they have to hide who they are or risk being attacked or excluded.

According to the COC, the situation for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers hasn’t improved since the advocacy group’s previous study in 2018.

The COC advocates for measures to improve the situation of this group. Many shelters already have separate areas for LGBTQIA+ people. The study showed that these are experienced as safe spaces where LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers can be themselves and where the contact persons listen to them and take their complaints seriously. The COC would like such spaces in all asylum shelters.

The COC also urged the COA to ensure that all its employees have knowledge about the LGBTQIA+ community and receive training in this area. The advocacy group will submit its report to the COA on Wednesday afternoon.

The COA told NOS in a written response that it is indeed still receiving reports of unsafe situations and is trying to accommodate the wishes and needs as much as possible. But all the asylum shelters in the Netherlands are filled to the brim, and this is not always possible, the COA said.