Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 11 9 2022 09 01 Research in Hard-to-Reach Populations: Challenges and Strategies for Conducting Sexual Violence Studies in Applicants for International Protection Beyond the European General Data Protection Regulation 1934 1941 4114 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.122 EN Lotte De Schrijver International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Adina Cismaru Inescu CARE-ESPRIst, Études et évaluations, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium Bastien Hahaut CARE-ESPRIst, Études et évaluations, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium Christophe Vandeviver Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium Laurent Nisen CARE-ESPRIst, Études et évaluations, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium Ines Keygnaer International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Journal Article 2021 03 03 Background Conducting research in hard-to-reach populations such as applicants for international protection (AIPs) brings along a number of research challenges. This is especially true for sexual violence (SV) research. Methods We developed a study design with the intent to reach AIPs in a randomized and anonymous manner including potential illiterate respondents as well, while avoiding as much bias as possible. However, this method was developed just before the entry into force of the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), upon which important new research challenges emerged. Results This paper describes the original study design developed to estimate SV prevalence in AIPs in Belgium. We discuss the impact of the GDPR on the recruitment strategy applied to conduct a survey on SV in a randomly selected sample of AIPs, the adapted approach to conduct the study beyond GDPR and lessons learned for future research on sensitive topics in hard-to-reach populations such as AIPs. Conclusion To achieve reliable prevalence numbers and provide high-quality data on SV in AIPs while respecting the GDPR regulations, studies will require an approach that has become significantly more time consuming and resourceintensive to implement.

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