Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
III. International Understanding Violence Congress, İstanbul, Türkiye, 22 - 24 Ekim 2021, ss.248-259
Abstract
Objective: Sexual violence has been considered an unavoidable outcome of wars and armed conflicts throughout history; and although it is recognized as a crime against humanity and a war crime by current international laws, continues to exist as a devastating phenomenon with damaging consequences for victims, their families and society. The victims of today's armed conflicts are civilians rather than soldiers, and women, men, girls and boys, and other vulnerable groups in society are subjects of sexual violence, such as rape, sexual slavery and forced marriage, by armies and armed groups. However, conflict-related sexual violence often remains invisible, and there is insufficient information on its prevalence and consequences. This study aims to make a global situational analysis about the causes, different practices and consequences of conflict-related sexual violence and make recommendations from a health care perspective regarding how to reach and provide support to the victims.
Material and method: Current literature, including reports and statistics by international organizations and scientific research articles, are reviewed to make a global evaluation.
Findings: As of 2021, 27 different countries have conflicts. Of the 169 armed conflicts identified in 2020, 56 were state-based and 72 were non-state. In 2020, of the total 2.542 cases of sexual violence identified in 18 countries, 13 of which were active conflict areas, 96% (>2.400) were women and girls, 70% (1.773) were children, and 2% were against men and boys.
Conclusion: Conflict-related sexual violence is still prevalent in many parts of the world, yet it is difficult to determine its real dimensions due to various reasons, such as feelings of guilt and shame, fear of retaliation of the victims, and social dynamics and taboos, making it difficult to reach and provide support to victims. However, it is essential to develop service delivery models for the physical and psychological health problems, specifically sexual and reproductive health risks, faced by the victims.
Keywords: sexual violence, conflict-related sexual violence, conflict, public health, sexual/reproductive health