A Crime of Identity: Rape and Its Neglected Victims

Abstract

While rape is often theorized as an act and expression of the rapist's power over the victim, this article seeks to offer a new, victim-centered conceptualization of rape. Focused specifically on war rape, it submits that rape constitutes a crime of identity that attacks the victim's very sense of self. To develop this argument, the article centers on two particular, neglected categories of victims-namely male victims of rape and children who are born as a result of rape. Examining these two categories of victims together is not only original but also enlightening, permitting deeper insights into who is affected by the crime of rape (directly and indirectly) and illuminating the significant identity dynamics that underpin this heinous crime. In short, while male rape often robs the victim of everything that he believes to be the essence of his male identity, thus emasculating him, the child born of rape frequently acquires a superimposed identity-inextricably linked to that of the rapist-that impedes the development of his/her own personal identity. Rape, in other words, is not only a sexual and physical violation but it is also a fundamental violation of the self.

The Unknown Victims: Hegemonic Masculinity, Masculinities, and Male Sexual Victimisation

“…He argues that some male rape victims experience rape differently in comparison to female rape victims. For example, male rape victims may question their masculinity or sexual orientation, as male rape essentially challenges or contradicts men's power, strength, self-reliance, and independence (Clark 2014). There is a lack of research available on whether voluntary agencies are similarly lacking in specific training to deal with male rape victims, although some attempt is being made examining this area of male rape (see Javaid 2016a, b).…”

Children Born of Sexual and Gender‐Based Violence in Conflict: The International Criminal Court, Ecological Environments and Human Development

“…Yet, a particularly vulnerable and marginalised group (Annan and others, ; Coulter, ; McKay and Mazurana, ) impacted by these crimes who have remained ‘forgotten’ (Clark, ) are the children born as a result (Carpenter, ; Lee, ; Seto, ). Caution should, however, be heeded when speaking of these children primarily in terms of vulnerability and disadvantage, as noted by Mochmann (, 340) ‘many have coped fairly well with their lives’.…”

“…Nonetheless, global research indicates that they experience common risk factors that require intervention if they are to reach their full potential (Mochmann, ; Neenan, 2018a). For instance, research suggests that responses to rape in some societies can be a source of structural violence, with raped women being labelled ‘spoiled goods’ and rejected by their families, their livelihoods may be impacted as a result of ostracisation or ill‐health brought on by the initial violation (Clark, , 158). Where these health, social and economic needs are left unaddressed, they may be ‘passed on’ to the child born of rape with enduring, intergenerational effects (Denov and Lakor, ; Neenan, 2018a).…”

“…Indeed, research has demonstrated that dominant views or stereotypes ‘can influence social interactions in ways that lead to their behavioural confirmation — even to the extent of causing mistaken impressions to become real’ (Sibicky and Dovidio, , 148). Although there may be opportunities to changes people's perceptions, children born of SGBV often acquire ‘superimposed identities — inextricably linked to that of the rapist…’ that are difficult to shift (Clark, , 147 and 189). Indeed, as Goffman has explained, stigma can work in a dehumanising way, reducing the stigmatised person to a ‘tainted, discounted one’, and on this assumption those around them may ‘exercise a variety of discrimination, through which we effectively, if often, unthinkingly, reduce his life chances’ (Goffman, , 5).…”

“…It is estimated that tens of thousands of such children have been born out of recent conflicts (Carpenter, ; Grieg, ; Lee, ) and that they often suffer an array of physical, economic and psychosocial harms (Carpenter, ). Yet, the recent call by the UN Secretary‐General, António Guterres, to ‘amplify’ the voices of these children is set against a backdrop in which their very existence has been shrouded in silence (Clark, ; Seto, ; Theidon, ; Watson, ). Intensive work by scholars and activists to ‘surface’ (Carpenter, ; Lee, ; Mochmann, ) children born of SGBV has helped to place these children on the international agenda, with international criminal justice processes established in the aftermath of conflict, such as the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC), even beginning to take notice.…”