A number of women who arrive at the CARA holding center for asylum seekers in the southern Italian city of Bari, mainly Nigerian nationals, are asking for an abortion saying they became pregnant after they were raped, according to volunteers with 'Lasciacientrare', a national network of associations.
Volunteers said they were told by a number of Eritrean nationals at the center that they had taken hormones before their trip to avoid unwanted pregnancies in case the likely event that they were raped.Aid workers from 'Lasciacientrare' also reported at least two cases of sexual violence against young children who had been living at the center for several months. Both children were reportedly awaiting to be relocated and were travelling with only one parent. After the violence was reported to police, social services took them away but one child was separated from the father ''because there were no centers to welcome men with children,' 'the volunteers said. Local authorities are still investigating the reports.
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