Strategic Submission to Rape is not Consent: Sexual Violence in the Colombian Armed Conflict

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110548
Author(s):  
Kiran Stallone

Academic literature is only beginning to understand victims’ rational calculations and agency related to sexual violence in war and conflict. This article deepens that analysis, emphasizing calculated action rather than passive victimization. This is a systematic study of victims’ strategic responses to sexual violence, and reports findings from an in-depth analysis of women who were raped in the context of Colombia's armed conflict (1964-present), revealing that this context triggers a strategic response by victims of rape. Specifically, some women calculate that submitting to unwanted sex is more likely to protect them and others, such as family members, from significant harm than resisting rape. However, while their strategic responses may protect them and allow them to keep their families safe from greater harm, the methods adopted by women in these situations may complicate their efforts at being recognized as victims, undercutting their access to legal and social rights in the aftermath of war and conflict.

Author(s):  
Tamara Frunse

During armed conflict, sexual violence against women regularly takes on different forms than against the male gender. Frequently, men and boys are attacked either by coercion to witness sexual violence committed against their family and community members, or to rape and sexually assault others. The shared feature of both forms of such victimization is that they rarely constitute an attack on the individual alone. Instead, they are utilized by perpetrators as a war tactic to debase entire communities. Protection for male victims of these forms of sexual violence is limited due to a disconnect between formal statutory provisions under International Criminal Law (ICL) criminalizing sexual violence and the jurisprudential interpretation thereof. The jurisprudence of the international criminal courts and tribunals has been widely criticized in academic literature for misclassifying sexual harm against men and accommodating it incoherently under various provisions other than the explicit sexual violence norms. The prosecutorial and jurisprudential dichotomy partly originates in the lack of clarity surrounding these selected forms of sexual violence. In light of their devastating impact on men and boys, this article aims to map the inconsistencies within and between selected international criminal courts and tribunals and prompts to rethink current international criminal jurisprudence to coherently address and condemn such forms of sexual violence.


2020 ◽  

This book explores some of the risks associated with sustainable peace in Colombia. The book intentionally steers away from the emphasis on the drug trade as the main resource fueling Colombian conflicts and violence, a topic that has dominated scholarly attention. Instead, it focuses on the links that have been configured over decades of armed conflict between legal resources (such as bananas, coffee, coal, flowers, gold, ferronickel, emeralds, and oil), conflict dynamics, and crime in several regions of Colombia. The book thus contributes to a growing trend in the academic literature focusing on the subnational level of armed conflict behavior. It also illustrates how the social and economic context of these resources can operate as deterrents or as drivers of violence. The book thus provides important lessons for policymakers and scholars alike: Just as resources have been linked to outbreaks and transformations of violence, peacebuilding too needs to take into account their impacts, legacies, and potential


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S105-S105
Author(s):  
Blanca Soto ◽  
Miriam Canet ◽  
Diego Erdmenger

Abstract Background Sexual violence is a global health problem, in terms of age and sex, showing a significant negative impact on health. Incidence in Guatemala is among the highest of the region reaching an average of 23 cases reported daily nationally per statistics from the Ministry of Health in 2015. Methods Retrospective analysis of the database of all sexual violence cases reported from a secondary -level national hospital in Guatemala from January 2005 to September 2015 (period A) and in-depth analysis on demographic and epidemiological data along with information of the follow-up of cases between January 2012 and September 2015 (period B) was performed. Results Period A: 500 cases; female (96%; 481/500). Assault occurred between 16–20 years (34%; 163/481) 11–15 years (22.25%; 107/481), and 21–30 years (22.04%; 106/481). From all reported male cases, 73.68% (14/19) occurred under 15 years. Period B: 154/217 (70.96%) cases included; female (95.45%; 147/154), mean age: 17.87 years. Assault occurred in public spaces (57.14%; 88/154) and victim’s home (29.87%; 46/154). Almost 13% of victims reported history of previous assault, 5.84% by the same aggressor. More than one aggressor participated in 36.37% of assaults. Physical violence was associated in 57.79% of cases. Most victims (92.76%; 141/152) consulted within 72 hours of the assault. HIV, VDRL, and Hepatitis B testing performed in 100, 52, and 33.77%, respectively, were negative. Follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months after the aggression were attended by 20.78% (30/154), 1.95% (3/154), and 1.95% (3/154) of victims, respectively. Psychology support was completed only in 18.18% (28/154). Emergency contraception was provided when indicated; pregnancy as result of the aggression was reported in nine cases (5.84%). Conclusion The study shows that young women were the most vulnerable group for sexual violence. There is a lack of multidisciplinary approach and follow-up. Interventions on infectious diseases screening have to be optimized to reduce the risk of ETS transmission. This evidence supports the need for a specialized clinic to ensure access to comprehensive health services for victims. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
Karan Khurana ◽  
Matteo Saraceno

This research article explores the current state of affairs of arts and culture sector in Ethiopia. An in-depth analysis of various dimensions of art and culture highlights where the country is presently lacking in governance and socio-economic progress in the sector. A qualitative research was carried out to collect primary data. 52 respondents were chosen to be interviewed from Bahir Dar University by the method of quota sampling and the results were analyzed. Secondary data was also analyzed through academic literature from universities in Ethiopia, reports from government and development organizations. Survey results and existing academic literature have guided to single out major hindrances to this sector. In this research it can be confirmed, that the arts and culture sector needs a major intervention in terms of governance and marketing. This research gives out a very structural strategy, based on cultural governance, cultural economics and strategies of new business development as it pillars to support the prosperity of this sector in Ethiopia. The existing academic research provides data on different arts and culture and problems which are specific to a particular region of the country. Whereas this article goes a step further in enforcing the ordinance of cultural governance to the responsible government bodies both locally and nationally and simultaneously highlights how economic progress can be achieved through this sector. Cultural governance as a directive has never been implemented in transition economies and this article will serve as a directive for the future. This article shall be very beneficial for further research in this sector and structuring the work of government bodies, stake holders and the people involved in the sector within Ethiopia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Spangaro ◽  
Chinelo Adogu ◽  
Anthony B. Zwi ◽  
Geetha Ranmuthugala ◽  
Gawaine Powell Davies

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