Before being forced to flee, refugees may experience imprisonment, torture, loss of property, malnutrition, physical assault, extreme fear, rape and loss of livelihood. The flight process can last days or years.

What problems do refugees face?

While refugee children in general are more vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse, they're even more so if they're unaccompanied — a 2017 study published by UNICEF found that risk could be more than doubled. Young girls can be the target of gender-based violence or trafficking.

What kind of trauma do refugees go through?

Refugee children may feel relieved when they are resettled in the US. However, the difficulties they face do not end upon their arrival. Once resettled in the US, refugees may face stressors in four major categories: Traumatic Stress, Acculturation Stress, Resettlement Stress, and Isolation.