Conflict-related sexual violence: a review

Abstract

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is a concerning yet prevalent feature of historical and current conflict. The term encompasses any form of sexual violence associated with conflict, including rape, sexual assault and forced marriage or prostitution. Acts of CRSV have been perpetrated by both military personnel and civilians against men, women and children. The aetiology of CRSV is complex and unique to each conflict and circumstance. It may arise as a deliberate tactic of war or as opportunistic criminal acts at times of the relative lawlessness resulting from conflict. CRSV can also be related to certain sociocultural attitudes surrounding conflict.CRSV can result in profound medical, psychological and social sequelae for victims and management requires a holistic approach to address these. The global political response to CRSV has been gaining momentum in recent decades. Although the practical reaction to political stances has been limited at times, some consistent messages have arisen from collaborative work between the United Nations and other multinational bodies. Advances have also been made in the judicial response to CRSV.Due to the widespread nature of the issue, there is the potential for the exposure of Defence Medical Services (DMS) personnel to CRSV. This may occur while operating in a conflict zone or when participating in humanitarian operations. DMS personnel should maintain an awareness of the prevalence of CRSV and of any current political measures in place to tackle it. When appropriate, CRSV should feature in operational medical planning and pre-deployment training to assist personnel in managing any cases they encounter.

Medical and Psychological Consequences of War-Related Sexual Violence among Women and Girls in Tigray, Ethiopia

“…Two third of the victims reported two or more forms of sexual violence mainly rape which signifying sexual violence has been an insidious and alarming feature of the war in Tigray. Consistently, previous reports in different con ict settings show that the pattern of sexual violence was systemic and widespread, with all the victims sustaining symmetric forms of assault [10,11,25]. The forms of sexual violence in the current study included sexual assault such as touching on sexual parts, forced nudity, sexual exploitation, penetration of vagina with an object, and forcible sexual intercourse which were similar to those reported in Sierra Leone civil war [15].…”

Drug‐facilitated sexual assault in Africa: A scoping review of empirical evidence

“…Unfortunately, unprofessional conduct and indiscipline acts such as those reported in one of the reviewed publications [14] are documented by other studies [28][29][30]. Unfortunately, the ease of sexual assault is facilitated when the perpetrator is armed, as in the case of security or armed personnel, which has also been documented in the form of opportunistic illegal conduct [31,32] or in conflict settings [33][34][35].…”

Survivor-Centered Approaches to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

“…Since 1948, the year in which the tribunal in Tokyo handed down its judgment, a sea change has occurred in IHL and its approach to rape as well as forms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In turn, this sea change has had deep implications, not least of all for members of the legal profession, 21,22 the medical profession, 23,24,25,26 and other related professions. The sea change began to crystallize upon the adoption, on August 12, 1949, of the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (to which the US is a state party).…”