The majority of asylum seekers report difficulties in disclosing their experiences of sexual violence during Home Office interviews, a new study has found.

Since there is often little documentary evidence about the asylum seeker, the credibility of the person is key. Late disclosure, or non-disclosure, during these interviews is often given as a reason to doubt an asylum seeker's credibility.

However, there may be other reasons for not disclosing in the first interview. This study, published in the July issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, is the first to determine whether and how sexual violence affects asylum seekers' disclosure of personal information during Home Office interviews.

The researchers interviewed 27 refugees and asylum seekers, using semi-structured interviews about difficulties with disclosure, both to others and in Home Office interviews.

They also measured symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, experience of shame, and dissociative experiences (in which the person 'cuts off' from the feelings associated with the event).

It was found that those with a history of sexual violence reported greater overall PTSD severity and avoidance symptoms, as well as greater feelings of shame, compared with people with a history of non-sexual violence.

This group also described more dissociative symptoms, flashbacks, avoidance of thoughts or feelings associated with the trauma, and greater difficulty in disclosure of personal information, during their Home Office interview.

For example: "I tried to talk, but my mind kept wandering off.everything seemed unreal to me.I found it hard to focus on the interview and answer questions."

The researchers comment that this study demonstrates that there is a significant association between shame and PTSD avoidance symptoms. The results are also in line with research showing that people with a diagnosis of PTSD commonly report dissociative experiences.

Perhaps one of the most striking findings was that 20 participants in the study talked for the first time about their pre-migration trauma only after entering the UK. Of those, 13 talked to Home Office officials.

These findings underscore the degree of avoidance associated with the experience of trauma, and are likely to be very relevant to the large numbers of refugees coming to the UK who have experienced or witnessed torture and organised violence.

Many of those interviewed reported that in their culture sexual issues are not discussed with others, and that this prevented them from disclosing sexual issues during their Home Office interview.

The researchers comment that their findings imply that people's psychological states should be routinely evaluated when assessing their ability to give a coherent personal history in an interview with officials.

Disclosure is complex, and influenced by a variety of factors that need to be taken into account when judging asylum seekers' credibility, based on the information they disclose.

Most asylum seekers in this study experienced the immigration process - including the Home Office interviews - as stressful, and anxiety-provoking, because many feared deportation. Many need time to process past traumatic events, and to establish a sufficient level of trust and confidence to reveal the potentially painful and shaming details of their experiences.

These issues need to be taken into account by an immigration system that requires asylum seekers to make a claim shortly after arrival. It is therefore vital that officials are sensitive when processing refugee claims, and avoid causing further distress to already highly traumatised people.

Legitimate asylum seekers may be punished and retraumatised by the enforcement of policies designed to identify those who fabricate their stories, and to deter people who seek asylum for economic reasons.

The researchers comment that immigration officials could benefit from supervision and training in how to recognise stress reactions, such as PTSD symptoms, shame and dissociative experiences.

Research author: Dr. Diana Bögner, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, North London Forensic Service, Barnet, Enfiled and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.