User:ERobson/sandbox

Rape and human rights

Probably for much of human history, rape, violence, and war have often occurred in connection with one another. In the twentieth century, the use of rape as a "weapon of war" has been well documented and addressed by NGOs as well as the United Nations, [1] and national governments. One particularly well known period in which this practice was known to have occurred on a widespread basis is the Bosnian War (or Yugoslav Civil War), roundly condemned as a human rights atrocity in Western public opinion and media, as well as the United Nations and international bodies [2], [3]. Similar instances are also documented during the period leading up to the Kosovo Crisis.

Rape as a tool of warfare

• Define rape-as-weapon
• Types/categories
• Societal repercussions
• Contemporary examples
• Response from international community

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Rape that takes place within the context of war generally falls into one of four categories[4]:

• Genocidal rape, which seeks to systematically destroy an enemy ethnic or political group.
• Political rape penalizes individuals or families who publically present an opposing political view.
• Opportunistic rape occurs when the lawless environment of war permits individuals to act without fear of reprisal.
• Forced concubinage, in which young girls and women are kidnapped and forced to cook and clean for militiamen as well as serve them sexually.