For years, when someone heard the term “wartime sexual violence” they usually pictured a male soldier abusing a female civilian. While situations like this definitely happen and sexual violence against women is a horrible crime, in recent years more evidence has emerged about the wartime sexual violence against men.

Sexual violence might be used against men for various reasons, including to demoralize the enemy men and make them feel incapable of protecting their communities. (the ability to protect women and the community is often considered an important part of masculinity) Many men have been raped, castrated or even forced to penetrate female relatives. During the Syrian conflict it is estimated that practices like this were common but severely underreported. [1], [2] Male victims face stigma and might even be ostracized by their community. Similar sexual abuse was also documented during the Yugoslavian conflict in the 90s. [3]

There is serious lack of research surrounding male rape and especially wartime male rape, this is something that even feminist scholars admit. However, we still have a picture of wartime rape as a crime against women. Maybe it’s time to broaden the definition in order to include male victims.

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