Motivations for sexual violence in armed conflicts: voices from combatants in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bitenga Alexandre, Ali; Moke Mutondo, Kitoka; Bazilashe Balegamire, Juvenal; Emile, Amini; Mukwege, Denis
• Is Part Of: Medicine, conflict, and survival. Volume 37:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Sexual violence -- immoral act -- armed conflict -- South Kivu -- DRC -- combatants -- prevention -- suggestions; War -- Medical aspects -- Periodicals; Social Medicine -- Periodicals; War -- Periodicals; World Health -- Periodicals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2021.1882365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-3699

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper sets out to explore sexual violence in armed conflict from the perspective of the combatants themselves. We interviewed combatants in South Kivu in eastern DRC about their experiences with sexual violence, what they think causes it, and how it might be mitigated. Although respondents in this study strongly believe that sexual violence is a serious crime and an immoral act which should be avoided in their ranks, they sometimes perpetrate it systematically, suggesting a disconnect between their good soldiering ideals and own actions. Combatants report that they want to protect women and men in armed conflicts, but the contexts in which they operate lead them, contrary to their wishes, to behave violently against the civilians they are supposed to protect. To mitigate sexual violence in armed conflicts they propose improving their socioeconomic conditions, getting rid of militias and uniting the Congolese army, punishing perpetrators and adequately training new soldiers joining the united army.