Sexual violence in conflict and terrorism

[davidbfpo]

Not an easy subject and a quick, simple Google search found many articles, often from familiar places where Small Wars feature in modern times.

The search was prompted by Jessica Stern who has written a reflective piece in The Washington Post weekend edition, which is behind a free registration "wall": http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061803205.html

Or use the attachment, with some passages in bold on the issue.

What attracted my attention were a few passages and I use three:

Why does the threat of violent death alter some of us, even if subtly, forever? Why does it make us unusually numb or calm when we ought to feel terrified?...

I realized the possible importance of the frequency of rape of students at the radical madrassas I studied in Pakistan. I have felt, in my interviews of terrorists, that there was an element of sexual humiliation at work, but it was rarely more than an intuition on my part. Could sexual traumas contribute to contemporary terrorism?

Another good article on the problem: http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesl...cruiting-tool/

I have not read about sexual violence as a factor, although I've heard references to the impact of torture by government agencies and non-state groups - notably from North Africa.

[slapout9]

Not an easy subject and a quick, simple Google search found many articles, often from familiar places where Small Wars feature in modern times.

The search was prompted by Jessica Stern who has written a reflective piece in The Washington Post weekend edition, which is behind a free registration "wall": http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...061803205.html

Or use the attachment, with some passages in bold on the issue.

What attracted my attention were a few passages and I use three:

Another good article on the problem: http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesl...cruiting-tool/

I have not read about sexual violence as a factor, although I've heard references to the impact of torture by government agencies and non-state groups - notably from North Africa.

david, your right not an easy subject, but there is much to learn here. I saw this a lot in Domestic Violence cases, which is why the wife calls the Police and when they respond and arrest the Husband they will often fight the police or post the husbands bail. Physical domination/abuse(not just rape) over extended periods of time will cause the person to literally loose their mind,their own sense of person, and they assume or cooperate with the violent/dominant personality. Insurgencies are just big cases of Domestic Violence and we (USA/UK) often show up like the Cop to fix it. Only to find out we are in the middle of Karpman's triangle.

COIN theory often goes wrong by failing to understand this principle IMO. COIN theorist should study successful DV/Stalking units to see how to interrupt this cycle and regrettably when you can't,sometimes you have to realize until the person wants help and will cooperate there may not be anything you can do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpman_drama_triangle

PS. this deals the real "Games People Play" not just theoretical prisoners dilemma game theory.

[tequila]

The lack of any solid data on the extent of such abuse amidst a very small, select group of people (terrorists/guerrillas) mitigates against making any sort of actual claims on this. Anecdote is not data.

Personally I think that the history of violent social movements in all sorts of societies argues for political and economic factors as the main factor here, not sexual abuse, and the solutions lie in those areas.

[slapout9]

The lack of any solid data on the extent of such abuse amidst a very small, select group of people (terrorists/guerrillas) mitigates against making any sort of actual claims on this. Anecdote is not data.

Thats true about the data, but that is just because no one or very few have ever study terrorist/guerrillas from that viewpoint.

[M-A Lagrange]

Slap, David

I would recommend you to read that book: War and Gender: How Gender Shapes the War System and Vice Versa by Joshua S. Goldstein (Cambridge University Press, 2001) http://www.warandgender.com/

Interesting enough, it’s written by a man. But this is a good starting point I believe. My wife who’s an anthropologist specialised in sexual violence in conflict says it’s the bible.

It’s actually interesting to see how SGBV affects not only the war zone but also other areas. The case of DRC and the craziness of SGBV there is a good example. But women did not turn into fighters.
I personally believe that your question is extremely interesting.

[Tukhachevskii]

This artilce, Polygamy and Wife Abuse: A Qualitiative Study of Muslim Women in America, makes for interesting reading. Particularly the source of pride amongst women who can "take" a beating /abuse and who view that capability as a source of pride and look down upon fellow co-wifes who can't take it. OTOH hand the division of labour causes tension too with some wifes being purely for abuse whilst others are for fun, etc.

[davidbfpo]

The topic was found reading this rather odd article 'GenderForce: why didn't we do this before?', but the application in places afflicted with Small Wars and external intervention appears to make sense. Note written by a Swedish Army officer.

As an 18 year old woman I wanted to join what I saw as the coolest and toughest force - not the Air Force, not the Navy, but the Army. I was the first woman to join, and arrived full of ideas of what life would be like as a woman in the army. Things were not as I had imagined at all..I have the best job in the world! At least that is what I think. Let me tell you what I do.

Link:http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/ch...do-this-before

This is one article as a conference is about to open 'Women Forging a New Security: Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict'. For more:http://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/ja...y-and-security

There is a thread 'Women in the Military', which on a quick scan appears not to consider the issues:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=2414

I searched used Gender and found no suitable home for this post.