scholarly journals Feminists against Sexual Violence in War: The Question of Perpetrators and Victims Revisited

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Korac

This article reflects upon feminist activism and analyses of sexual victimisation of women in war during the 1990s. It critically examines the reasons for the continuation of this type of violence against women, despite its recognition as a war crime; the recognition that marked one of the significant achievements of feminist activism during the last decade of the 20th century. The discussion points to the centrality of sexual violence in war for the system of gender based violence (GBV) against both women and men in war. It argues that a relational understanding of the gendered processes of victimisation in war is critical. This approach enables an acknowledgement that sexual violence in war and rape, as one of its expressions, is a violent political act that is highly gendered both in its causes and consequences, and, as such, it affects both women and men. This article provides an overall argument for the need of feminist scholarship and activism to engage with these differently situated experiences and practices of victimisation in war, to ‘unmake’ it.

2020 ◽  
pp. 125-147
Author(s):  
Catherine Donovan ◽  
Khatidja Chantler ◽  
Rachel Fenton ◽  
Kelly Bracewell

Three ingredients underpin feminist campaigns against violence against women in universities: research, public activism, and political lobbying. Often discussed as if they are separate activities, this chapter demonstrates that conducting research constitutes activism resulting in and/or requiring lobbying and other activist activities. The chapter analyzes qualitative data collected in a UK national multimethod study exploring barriers and facilitators to implementing the recommendations of the 2016 Universities UK report on violence against women. Interviews with academics reveal how, in becoming cognizant of the power structures within their universities, participants identified how power operated to stall or block the gender-based violence agenda and pointed to transformative measures to circumvent barriers. These measures involve the three ingredients listed here. Collective action is apparent throughout their accounts with alliances being developed with students, external partners, and key individuals, as well as committees and services within their institutions. Cumulatively, the activism of these participants can be seen as transformative.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 172-180
Author(s):  
Sunil Gambhir ◽  
Akash Deep Aggarwal ◽  
Aatika Mahajan ◽  
Ritu Setiya

This paper examines violence against women, with a special focus on domestic violence, along with sexual violence and sexual assault, in multidimensional perspective for the period of two years so as to understand its magnitude and its impact on the rights of women in the northern part of India. Among all such cases, there were 57.2% cases of domestic violence, 20.3% cases of sexual violence and sexual assault, 17.8% cases of attempted poisoning, 1.5% cases of homicidal burns, and 1.2% cases of attempted suicide. The greatest number of cases was recorded during the spring, followed by summer. It was observed that the greatest number of cases (60.24%) was recorded under the homemaker (housewife) category of women followed by the working category (26.80%). The greatest number of cases is seen in the age group of 20 to 30 years (42.77%), followed by the age group of 30 to 40 years (23.49%). A slightly higher number of cases (51.20%) was reported from rural areas. The greatest number of cases was recorded under the domestic violence category. The second highest percentage of cases reported involved sexual violence and sexual assault. The greatest number of married cases had a duration of zero to ten years (43.37%), followed by the unmarried category (19.87%). With reference to duration of violence, the greatest number of cases is seen in the age group of zero to six months (32.53%). The greatest number of cases is seen under the no child category (40.96%). Regarding the alleged perpetrator, the greatest number of cases is seen under the husband category (23.79%), followed by unknown category (22.28%).


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Violence against women is a pervasive human rights violation, which is still under-recognized despite some recent progress. From sexist ubiquitous online harassment, to physical and sexual violence that affects at least 1 in 3 women in her lifetime, this prevalent and large spectrum of violence constitutes a profound health problem. It affects women's physical and mental health, making its prevention one of the most far-reaching public health objectives. Public health research on this topic is lacking, and few large epidemiological surveys and cohorts collect data on this subject. However, research is much needed to bring to light the extent of the problem, and guide the development and implementation of effective interventions, policies, and prevention strategies. In this symposium we propose to shed light on some health effects of gender-based violence and discuss methodological issues associated with conducting research on violence against women. Through the presentation of four studies, we highlight challenges in the framing of research questions, and in defining exposure variables and collecting data in standard epidemiological studies. We also reflect on barriers and enablers we encountered and brainstorm action levers for pragmatic and ethical intervention studies. Between them, the four studies cover various types of violence and health outcomes, and touch on the involvement of several health and healthcare stakeholders. First, Barbier et al describe the prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological intimate partner violence against European women, as well as perpetrator's characteristics, using data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights survey on violence against women. Second, Miani et al. reflect on the potential and limitations of using standard hospital records to measure violation of a woman's integrity during childbirth (e.g. obstetric violence) in Germany. Opportunities for intersectional analyses are also assessed. Third, El-Khoury et al. present results from the French Health barometer, a general population telephone survey, which recruited more than 25,000 adults aged18 to 75 in 2017. This first analysis quantifies sex-differences in the effect of sexual violence on suicide risk. Using adjusted mediation analyses, sexual victimisation was found to explain 49% and 40% of the increased risk women have compared to men in suicidal ideation and suicidal imagery respectively. Last, Hatem et al present preliminary results of a pilot study and the protocol of a future intervention study in the French “Maison des Femmes” (House of women), a center which provides medical, social and judicial support and care for women victim of violence. We discuss pragmatic and ethical concerns, difficulties and importance of such intervention studies. We conclude the session with a discussion with the audience, providing an opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue and feedback on international experiences. Key messages Violence against women (VAW) is a widespread phenomenon taking many forms; similar to its effect on women’s health. VAW should be accounted for in all large epidemiological studies, using appropriate terms and measurement strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Dian Febriyanti ◽  
Pratiwi Retnaningdyah

The aim of this article is to analyze the types of violence against women depicted in Eka Kurniawan’s Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash also to reveal the process of several female characters from being disempowered (after received violence by men) to empowering themselves. Those are global and common issues that society would face every day. This study uses thematic analysis on the basis of Gender-based Violence (GBV) to categorize the type of violence based on a theory of feminist by Beauvoir and also using Naila Kabeer’s perspective to reveal that violence affect women in empower and disempower ways. The female characters that receive violence are Scarlet Blush, Iteung, Young Widow, and Jelita. The types of violence that occurred are sexual violence, physical violence, verbal violence, and psychological violence. However, the result of women’s empowerment only causes Iteung itself, she is the only one who can survive and be empowered after fighting against patriarchal culture, while Scarlet Blush is the opposite.


2020 ◽  
pp. 145-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nomi Dave

This chapter examines the limits of musical activism by considering some of the varied ways in which music has addressed women’s rights and gender-based violence in Guinea. It centers around the case of a young Guinean rapper who was recently charged with sexual assault, and whose case generated intense criticism from feminist activists and intense support from his fans. The chapter considers two songs closely connected to the case: one that calls for an end to violence against women, and one that calls on women to forgive him. These two songs seem to reflect radically divergent views on gender-based violence. But they are both linked to an underlying ambivalence about women’s rights on the behalf of musicians, audiences, and the state. Survivors of sexual violence are absent in both cases, erased by a politics of forgiveness that calls on them to forget and to be forgotten.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-40
Author(s):  
Philipp Schulz

This article examines how male survivors of wartime sexual violence in Northern Uganda conceptualize justice. Whereas recent years have witnessed increasing consideration for redressing conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence against women, specific attention to justice for male-directed sexual violence remains absent. Drawing on the empirically-grounded perspectives of 46 male survivors, this article incorporates the seldom-heard voices and perspectives of male wartime rape survivors into debates about justice in the context of sexual violence, thereby contributing towards a gender-inclusive and holistic understanding of gender justice debates. The findings underpinning this article demonstrate that male survivors’ justice priorities primarily centre around three interrelated themes: (a) justice as recognition, (b) government acknowledgement and (c) reparative justice. According to male survivors, these three aspects of justice imply the potential to respond to the misrecognition of male survivors’ experiences and to remedy their sexual and gendered harms in a reparative and gender-sensitive capacity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebtihal Mahadeen

This study aims to address the gap in Arab media scholarship on the representation of gender-based violence. Despite the prevalence and normalisation of gender-based violence in Jordan, no scholarly engagements exist that unpack the role of the media in fostering this social acceptance. This paper aims to critically analyse the media’s role by adopting a comparative approach to two types of femicide which have made headlines in the country: the first, a single mega murder which occurred in December 2013, and the second, a number of so-called honour crimes which occurred in 2008–2014. It argues that while both are manifestations of sexual violence, Jordanian media approach these femicides in wildly different ways and rank their victims differently. Drawing on criminological engagements with victimology, homicide and the media, the paper reveals the implicit assumptions and practices of Jordanian news media. This analysis is located within its Jordanian context, where violence against women, and even so-called honour crimes, are normalised.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Boyle

This article explores the representational practices of feminist theorising around gender and violence. Adapting Liz Kelly’s notion of the continuum of women’s experiences of sexual violence, I argue that ‘continuum thinking’ can offer important interventions which unsettle binaries, recognise grey areas in women’s experiences and avoid ‘othering’ specific communities. Continuum thinking allows us to understand connections whilst nevertheless maintaining distinctions that are important conceptually, politically and legally. However, this is dependent upon recognising the multiplicity of continuums in feminist theorising – as well as in policy contexts – and the different ways in which they operate. A discussion of contemporary theory and policy suggests that this multiplicity is not always recognised, resulting in a flattening of distinctions which can make it difficult to recognise the specifically gendered patterns of violence and experience. I conclude by considering how focusing on men’s behaviour might offer one way of unsettling the contemporary orthodoxy which equates gender-based violence and violence against women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Cindy Kang

Based on data obtained from the Annual Records of the National Commission on Women, the percentage of violence against women has increased by 792% in the past 12 years. In addition, cases of Online Gender Based Violence (OGBV) have increased 300% and the most cases are revenge porn cases. This proves that women are one of the most vulnerable subjects to become victims of violence, and violence against women is not only carried out in the real world but also in cyberspace. One of the most common OGBV cases is revenge porn, where a perpetrator threatens to spread pornographic content belonging to the victim online without the victim’s consent with the potential to damage the victim’s reputation. The absence of regulations governing revenge porn makes it difficult for victims to get legal protection. The existence of the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) which specifically regulates the types of sexual violence has given rise to hope for victims in seeking justice. The purpose of this study is to examine the urgency of the ratification of the RUU PKS regardless of the pros and cons circulating in society in providing legal protection for the victims. This study uses a normative legal research method that emphasized data obtained indirectly, such as legal materials. The results of this study indicate that the existence of laws and regulations such as the Electronic Transaction and Information Act, the Pornography Law, as well as provisions in the Criminal Code are considered insufficient to provide legal protection for the victims. Therefore, it is necessary to ratify the RUU PKS as a legal umbrella to provide protection for the victims.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-356
Author(s):  
Karen Ross ◽  
Megan K. McCabe ◽  
Sara Wilhelm Garbers ◽  

These three reflections look at the theological and ethical implications of sexual violence in light of the attention brought by #MeToo. The first explores ethnographic interviews which indicate that Church leaders, teachers, and parents contribute to rape culture by leaving sexual violence unaddressed in Christian sexual education, arguing that it must be reconstructed to eliminate the Church’s participation in a culture that promotes gender-based violence. The second notes that feminist scholarship has made the case that rape and “unjust sex” are associated with what is considered acceptable heterosexuality, require the category of “cultural sin” to account for the social responsibility of persons. Finally, the third explores how a feminist political theological ethics of “dangerous memory” is required to critique of the structures and systems that violate women’s selves and bodies.


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