Article 4a: Uncovering collective rape: A comparative study of political sexual violence (Green, 2004)

Question 1

The definition of collective rape through history

Answer 1

The definition of sexual violence changed over time. At the Geneva convention, rape was first defined as a crime against a women’s honour. This emphasises a women’s character more than her personhood or rights. Since then rape is classified as a crime against humanity.

Question 2

The definition of collective rape (throughout history)

Answer 2

Is a pattern of sexual violence perpetrated on civilians by agents of the state, a political group and/or politicised ethnic group. It’s identified by 4 parameters:
1. The act
2. The magnitude
3. The perpetrators (typically agents of the state etc.)
4. The victims (typically civilians)

(Most incidents occur in the context of internal war and other collective violence.)

Question 3

Collective Rape Project

Answer 3

Was used to gain data from 30 incidents of collective rape consisting of media-based data.

Question 4

Difficulties in studying collective rape

Answer 4

• Victim silence and underreport
• Nongovernmental organisation bias/ selection bias: often only high profile get the most attention.
• Description bias: many different definitions of collective rape
• Limited access to affected (war-)areas
• Many victims of sexual assault have been murdered

Question 5

Duration and context

Answer 5

Collective rapes span over years and most occur during political conflict.

Question 6

Perpetratos

Answer 6

The majority of perpetrators consisted of state agents (military/police), the rest was perpetrated by political rebels.

Question 7

Victims

Answer 7

Collective rape targets a wide range of individuals (women, children, elderly etc.). Some are chosen because of their group identity and some are chosen indiscriminately. Victims are typically discriminated-against minority groups.

Question 8

Use and impact

Answer 8

Collective rape is used both by state and non-state actors as a tool of terror, punishment and control during conflicts.

Question 9

Explanations for collective rape

Answer 9

• Gender inequality
• State repression
• Ethnic conflict

Question 10

Gender inequality as a sociological explanation for collective rape

Answer 10

Most perpetrators are male and most victims are female, reflecting broader patterns of sexual violence. Women’s reduces societal status often legitimises violence against them. Gender ideologies link masculinity to aggression, domination and power, encouraging violence and rape.

Question 11

State repression as a sociological explanation for collective rape

Answer 11

The involvement of state agents in many cases of collective rape suggests that it is often used as a tool of state violence (like torture/killing). Weaker, less democratic and less globalised states are more prone to state-led violence (like collective rape).

Question 12

Ethnic conflict as a sociological explanation for collective rape

Answer 12

Some cases of collective rape are linked to animosity/ hostility against specific ethnic groups. Ethnic cleavages (tegenstellingen) have been found to be a significant driver of violence (like ethnic cleansing or forced impregnation).

Question 13

Implications

Answer 13

Research on collective rape can helm humanitarian aid agencies identity likely victims and develop strategies for providing care and assistance.