Since the second world war, the use of rape as a weapon of
war has assumed strategic importance, and is now a deliberate military
strategy, argue researchers in an editorial published on bmj.com today.
The effects of rape and sexual violence during war also
extend beyond individual victims and are economically, physically,
psychologically, and culturally devastating for families and communities, say
authors Coleen Kivlahan, volunteer forensic physician for HealthRight
International, and Nate Ewigman from the University of Florida.
‘Biting’ Condom That Protects Women from Rapists Developed
A South African doctor has invented a female condom that is lined with teeth-like hooks in a bid to deter rapists.
For example, in recent conflicts, rape has been used as a reward for victory in battle, a boost to troop morale, as punishment and humiliation for both men and women, to incite revenge in opposing troops, to eliminate or "cleanse" religious or political groups, and to destabilise entire communities by creating terror.
A study in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo found that 16,000 rapes occurred in
2008 alone, and in South Kivu province, health
centres estimate that 40 women were raped in the region daily. In the United Kingdom,
50-70% of female asylum applicants were raped, witnessed rape, or have a
credible fear of rape.
![Sabotaging Birth Controls is the Latest Addition to Sexual Violence]( "Sabotaging Birth Controls is the Latest Addition to Sexual Violence")
A new study by University of California-Davis (UC-D) researchers says that the latest mode of sex violence if sabotaging birth controls and forcing young women to get pregnant.
Geographical, cultural, religious, political, legal, and behavioural conditions affect the likelihood of the systematic use of rape, explain the authors. For instance, geographically remote locations allow perpetrators to rape with impunity, while the likelihood that women will be raped, shamed, and isolated is increased in cultures with strong traditions regarding virginity, marital fidelity, and genital cleanliness.
Religions with strong beliefs about appropriate female clothing and behaviour also increase the risk that women will be falsely accused of adultery and raped as humiliation and punishment, they add.
The effects of rape and sexual torture on survivors are economically, physically, psychologically, and culturally devastating. They also extend to the family and community.
The international community has mounted a considerable response to the use of rape as a weapon of war, but the authors argue that rape during armed conflict is not simply about military personnel, police, or terrorists.
For example, before 2004, rape assailants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were primarily affiliated with the military; however, after 2004, civilian rapes increased 17-fold while rapes by armed combatants decreased by 77%.
"This pattern suggests a disturbing acceptance of rape among civilians," they conclude. "Rape is the result of the lack of dedicated societal attention to the safety, respect, and prosperity of women in peace time, as well as in war."
Source: BMJ
Sabotaging Birth Controls is the Latest Addition to Sexual Violence
A new study by University of California-Davis (UC-D) researchers says that the latest mode of sex violence if sabotaging birth controls and forcing young women to get pregnant.
Geographical, cultural, religious, political, legal, and behavioural conditions affect the likelihood of the systematic use of rape, explain the authors. For instance, geographically remote locations allow perpetrators to rape with impunity, while the likelihood that women will be raped, shamed, and isolated is increased in cultures with strong traditions regarding virginity, marital fidelity, and genital cleanliness.
Religions with strong beliefs about appropriate female clothing and behaviour also increase the risk that women will be falsely accused of adultery and raped as humiliation and punishment, they add.
The effects of rape and sexual torture on survivors are economically, physically, psychologically, and culturally devastating. They also extend to the family and community.
The international community has mounted a considerable response to the use of rape as a weapon of war, but the authors argue that rape during armed conflict is not simply about military personnel, police, or terrorists.
For example, before 2004, rape assailants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were primarily affiliated with the military; however, after 2004, civilian rapes increased 17-fold while rapes by armed combatants decreased by 77%.
"This pattern suggests a disturbing acceptance of rape among civilians," they conclude. "Rape is the result of the lack of dedicated societal attention to the safety, respect, and prosperity of women in peace time, as well as in war."
Source: BMJ
Teens in NY Face Sexual Violence at Rate Higher Than National Average
A new study has shown that teenagers in New York face sexual violence at a higher rate than the national average.
 Army Says Morale of US Troops Hurt by Afghan WarThe US Army has aid that there is declining morale and a reluctance to seek help for anxiety fueled by repeated combat tours. |
Recommended Readings
Latest General Health News
In India, youth must be aware of the diseases linked to cigarette smoking and tobacco consumption, causing a form of healthcare emergency.
Direct coastal access may represent a viable route to public health promotion, but the relationships of coastal living are not strongest among lower-income groups.
New research by Tinnitus UK has found that over four million gardeners are putting their hearing capacity at risk this summer without using safety protection.
Mucus plugs could be targeted to help reduce fatalities from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The development of reliable curative therapies for multiple sclerosis could significantly reduce the economic burden of the disease on patients and wider society.
