Understanding Sexual Violence: What You Need to Know
Sexual violence encompasses any non-consensual sexual act or behavior that targets a person's sexual function. It goes beyond unwanted penetration and can involve various forms of sexual contact, including physical violence targeting sexual organs. Gender-based violence differs in how it targets men and women in society, often punishing individuals for not conforming to social roles. Victims of sexual violence can be anyone regardless of age or gender, and it is crucial not to stereotype who may be targeted. Reporting sexual violence, especially against men and boys, is often inadequate and needs more attention.
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Module 1 Understanding Sexual Violence INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL, PART 1 MODULE 1 PAGES 15-16
What is sexual violence? Sexual violence is any act of a sexual nature committed without consent, or any act that violently targets a person s sexual function Sexual violence is broader than just unwanted sexual penetration it can include any sexual contact, forcible nudity, or other acts committed with a sexual motive
What is sexual violence? Sexual violence can include physical violence which targets the victim s sexual organs or sexual function, such as genital mutilation, forced abortion, or enforced sterilisation Sexual violence does not need to involve physical force or violence the background circumstances may be enough to restrict the victim s ability to give genuine and voluntary consent
What is gender-based violence? Gender-based violence is any form of violence which targets men or women differently because of their role in society Gender- Sexual violence based violence Gender-based violence can include using different forms of violence against men and women, or using violence to punish men or women for not conforming to their social roles Almost all forms of sexual violence are also forms of gender based violence, but not all gender-based violence is sexual
What is gender-based violence? For example: a village is attacked. All the men of fighting age are taken away and killed. All the women and any men who remain behind are sexually assaulted or raped. Gender- Sexual violence based violence The abduction and killing of the men is an example of gender-based violence as men, they are seen as a potential threat and targeted for violence The sexual assault and rape of the women and remaining men is an example of both sexual and gender-based violence as women and men, they are targeted for sexualised violence
Who can be affected? Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 - Interviewing EVERYONE ANYONE can be a victim of sexual violence men and women, boys and girls, old people and young people. Men can be victims of sexual violence and women can be perpetrators Do not assume that only beautiful young women will be targets for sexual violence it is about power, control and violence, not sexual attraction Sexual violence against men and boys is extremely under- reported and should be specifically recognised and pursued when investigating or documenting sexual violence
Who can be affected? Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 - Interviewing EVERYONE In many situations, women and children experience a higher risk of sexual violence it may also be used to disproportionately target specific political, ethnic or religious groups Remember, someone who is forced to carry out sexual violence against another person is a victim themselves Not all victims of sexual violence will exhibit obvious physical injuries or stereotypical emotional responses they should nevertheless be treated with dignity, care and respect
Impact of sexual violence Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 - Interviewing Emotional Physical Social VICTIM Individual Relational Psychological
Impact of sexual violence Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 - Interviewing shame, fear, distress, pain, terror injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, disability, sterility, unwanted pregnancy, HIV/AIDS Emotional stigma, blame, exclusion, rejection, breakdown of communities Physical Social impact on relationship with partner/ children, family members forced to carry out/witness sexual violence VICTIM access to justice/ medical treatment, impact on sexual function, loss of social status/ job/ authority in community Individual Relational Psychological trauma, flashbacks, nightmares, depression
Responding to sexual violence Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 Interviewing Survivors of sexual violence have to deal with the physical, emotional and/or psychological harm inflicted by the perpetrator They may then continue to be harmed by: Governments who deny them recognition or remedies Families who abandon or blame them Communities who reject or exclude them Authorities who are unresponsive or hostile If you are investigating or documenting sexual violence, you have the opportunity to empower survivors by helping them to pursue accountability
Responding to sexual violence Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 6 Testimony and Module 7 Interviewing Do No Harm MINIMUM STANDARD Empowerment through participation GOLD STANDARD
Patterns of sexual violence Module 2 Sexual Violence as an International Crime Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Terrorising the civilian population As a method of interrogation or punishment Targeting a specific (political/racial/religious) group As a military tactic or means of attacking civilians Taking advantage of a coercive or lawless environment
Red flags for sexual violence Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 7 Interviewing Forcible conscription or use of child soldiers Use of propaganda & hate speech Situations of interrogation or torture Separation of men and women Detention/ prison situations Ethnic/ political dimension to conflict Checkpoints, population displacement House raids by armed groups
Myths and stereotypes Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 7 - Interviewing Myths and stereotypes about sexual violence are very common and very damaging be conscious of how they can undermine or even prejudice your inquiries Every member of your team should be conscious of their own personal bias and preconceptions and should make an effort to be objective and open-minded Stereotypes can negatively impact on your ability to recognise and identify potential survivors/witnesses/perpetrators, to assess their behaviour or credibility, or even to judge the strength and reliability of your own evidence/information
Myths and stereotypes Module 3 Preliminary Considerations Module 5 Identifying Survivors and Other Witnesses Module 7 - Interviewing The victim was to blame/ caused it in some way Anyone who has difficulty remembering is lying All victims feel ashamed/ frightened/ broken Most claims are false and should not be believed Only women can be victims of sexual violence Genuine victims will cry/refuse to discuss it
Recognising sexual and gender-based violence EXERCISE Think about and discuss the following scenarios. Which of them would you describe as sexual violence? If not, why not? Which would you describe as gender- based violence? As a follow-up exercise, discuss whether the scenarios would constitute a crime under the law that you use
Recognising sexual and gender- based violence A woman in an occupied zone agrees to sleep with a senior commander to protect herself from lower- ranked troops A man under interrogation by police is tied to a chair while his penis and testicles are beaten with a knotted rope A teenage girl is given chocolate and medicine by peacekeeping troops in exchange for sexual favours Male prisoners of war are photographed naked in humiliating positions The local police chief shows signs of obvious arousal while beating and verbally abusing prisoners A male prisoner on hunger strike is threatened with having a rehydration tube inserted into his anus All the men of military age in a village are imprisoned in a detention camp. Many are beaten and later killed. A teenage girl is forced to strip naked and perform gymnastics in public
Recognising sexual and gender- based violence A man being questioned by the security forces is ordered to have sex with a female prostitute to prove he is not gay A boy child soldier assigned to a female commander who wants a baby is forced to have sex with her until she gets pregnant A woman prisoner is told that if she does not confess, her young son will be raped in front of her A militia group kidnaps a group of young girls from their school and takes them to a market to be sold as slaves Bodies of women are found in a village with their clothing removed, some with their legs apart Members of one ethnic group carry out forcible public circumcisions of men from a different tribe Two male prisoners are forced by their captors to perform oral sex on each other A teenage girl has acid thrown in her face for immoral behaviour
