Ordered Rape: A Principal–Agent Analysis of Wartime Sexual Violence in the DR Congo. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneider, Gerald; Banholzer, Lilli; Albarracin, Laura
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 21:Number 11(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1341
• Page End: 1363
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: rape -- sexual violence -- DR Congo -- principal–agent models -- military hierarchy; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801215593645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Policy makers and academics often contend that organizational anarchy permits soldiers to perpetrate sexual violence. A recent United Nations report supports this thesis especially with regard to the massive sexual abuse in the Congolese civil war. We challenge the anarchy argument and maintain, based on a principal–agent framework, that opportunistic military commanders can order their soldiers to rape through the use of sanctions and rewards. Our qualitative and quantitative analysis of a survey of 96 Congolese ex-soldiers shows that ordered rape is more likely in organizations where soldiers fear punishment and in which commanders distribute drugs as stimulants.