London, December 08, 2025
A dramatic increase in single women migrants traveling to Europe, especially via the Balkan route to Italy, is exposing them to a severe risk of rape and sexual exploitation, with abuses perpetrated by smugglers, traffickers, and other migrants. These gender-based violence (GBV) incidents continue amid inadequate protection and reporting mechanisms.
Rising Numbers of Vulnerable Migrants
In recent years, the number of single adult women migrating to Europe irregularly has surged, with Italy witnessing a 250% increase in female arrivals through the Balkan route alone. These journeys, which often involve perilous passages across the Mediterranean and through transit countries like Libya, expose women to extreme dangers of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking.
Widespread Sexual Violence and Exploitation
Women face systematic risks of rape, forced sexual encounters, and exploitation at multiple points—beginning in their home countries, continuing through transit areas such as Libya (where up to 90% of migrant women and girls are reportedly raped), and persisting even upon arrival in Europe. Perpetrators include smugglers, traffickers, fellow migrants, and occasionally local residents or security officials. In some transit countries, security forces themselves have been recorded engaging in abuse.
Factors Heightening Vulnerability and Underreporting
Single women traveling without protective networks are particularly susceptible, often lacking access to safe accommodations, legal knowledge, or effective support during their journey. Language barriers, undocumented status, and fear of authorities further deter survivors from reporting abuses. Social stigma and distrust contribute to pervasive underreporting, complicating efforts to quantify and address the crisis.
Psychological and Physical Consequences
Beyond immediate physical harm, survivors endure profound psychological trauma, reproductive health complications, and ongoing vulnerability to further exploitation. The compounded effects emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive medical and psychological care tailored to migrant women’s needs.
Policy Recognition and Gaps
European Union policies formally acknowledge forced marriage, trafficking, and gender-based violence as serious violations of rights. Nonetheless, implementation remains inconsistent, with significant gaps in adequate protection services, safe single-sex accommodations, and survivor-centered support systems. Enhanced data collection and targeted interventions are critical to closing these gaps.
Context of Irregular Migration Routes
The perilous nature of irregular migration channels—characterized by clandestine crossings and reliance on criminal networks—creates structural conditions for abuse. High-risk transit zones, such as Libya and parts of the Balkans, represent bottlenecks where violence against women is endemic.
Efforts to improve protective measures, enforce anti-trafficking laws, and provide support services along all stages of migration are essential. The scale and severity of sexual violence faced by single women migrants highlight a humanitarian imperative demanding coordinated international and policy responses to safeguard this vulnerable group.