POLSCI 389 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Genocidal Rape, Shining Path, Sexual Slavery

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

Document Summary

Neglected injustice: the widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war is a neglected injustice. Used as a weapon and strategy by military leaders to inflict terror on a massive scale. Drc is the rape capital of the world - 24% of men and 40% of women have experienced sexual violence in the last 16 years, most cases during conflict. Weapon of war: instrumental use for a strategic military purpose and can be ordered or tolerated practice. Terrorize, humiliate, population displacement, part of genocide, reward to soldiers, and build group cohesion. Not always a weapon, but war creates opportunity for individuals with an inclination and low risk. Theme: how wartime sexual violence came to the world"s attention. Pre-1990s - largely silence about the problem and/or failure to take is serious and/or prosecute. Slow increase in attention and concern about wartime sexual violence over time.