POLSCI 389 Study Guide - Final Guide: Wartime Sexual Violence, Gang Rape, Sexual Slavery

• School: U of M
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLSCI 389
• Professor: Ragnhild Nordas

Document Summary

Throughout our readings, i have noted how researcher"s definitions of sexual violence vary. There are issues of the definition addressing sexual violence against women, which excludes male victims. Other times, it addresses males as being the perpetrators. However, women in militias are also likely to perpetrated similar crimes. By the un definition, conflict-related sexual violence can refer to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced marriage, and any other form of sexual violence perpetrated against women, men, girls, or boys. This definition is gender neutral and demonstrates how women are not always the victims, giving male victims the attention they need to seek aid during a conflict. Additionally, this definition encompasses a variety of violences that are perpetrated, illustrating how there is more to sexual violence than acts of rape. One possible advantage for using news media as a data source on sexual violence is that there would be first hand accounts gathered.