Sexual Violence in Sudan

Sexual violence has occurred in many conflicts throughout history. Rape and violation become weapons of war, a tool for genocide. While the time for intervention has passed in many conflicts the war in Sudan remains rife. The implications of our inaction in cases such as Rwanda may never be seen in full, there are numerous reasons preventing the disclosure of the full picture, not least fear of family reprisal by rape victims. What is clear however is that 70% of genocide rape victims contracted HIV and are continually fighting for support. Such a shameful fact should be enough to galvanize government into action.

Written as part of a wider report I formulated in 2004 the details below outline the sexual violence crisis in Darfur.

Sexual Violence in Sudan
Sexual violence in Darfur is indiscriminate of age or physical condition. Amnesty International recorded cases of attacks against pregnant women, resulting in miscarriages, and in certain cases death[1]. The same report, Darfur: Rape as a Weapon of War: Sexual Violence and its Consequences, details the abduction of children as young as twelve years old. A child known as K.M was taken by Janjawid, with whom she remained for ten days, while six men 'used her as a wife'[2].

The prevalence of gang rapes in Darfur appears to be greater than in either Rwanda of Bosnia Herzegovina, although this may stem from better reporting of the conflict. Amnesty's report is rich in testimonies, such as the plight of K. During January 2004, and at the age of 15, K was kidnapped and raped by 'several men'[3]. In the town of Silaya S, an expectant mother, was abducted with other women. S told investigators 'five to six men would rape us in rounds, one after the other for hours during six days, every night'[4]. Victims of this attack were reported to be as young as eight years of age. The use of rape in Darfur mirrors that of Rwanda, just as it did in Bosnia, occurring publicly with the aim of destroying community and humiliating victims. The Rape as a Weapon of War report records the case of M, 17, who was raped multiple times outside her own home, while her Mother was forced to watch. Another victim of the name M, this time 14, was raped in the market square. Witnesses were prevented from intervening by threats of violence.

This case also repeats actions of Hutu and Serbian militia in mixing sexual violence with other acts of conflict. When a 43-year-old woman from Kutum refused to sleep with her captors, she was instantly killed[5]. Janjawid forces also systematically deployed further post rape violence against victims. During attacks on Um Baru Janjawid broke captives' limbs to prevent escape[6]. Amnesty International also recorded the pulling of fingernails as a method of torture. The case of K, above, is one that culminated in the breaking of limbs.

Violence is also mixed with looting of villages, especially when women have been removed to holding centres – much like those seen in Bosnia Herzegovina. Victims of kidnapping told Amnesty 'In the wadi I saw some 20 other women.... During the day, most of the Janjawid left the wadi to loot the neighbouring villages and at night…raped the girls in turn'[7].
Violence is not limited to attacks on communities, or those captured in raids. Families who attempt to flee the conflict are often stopped during their passage, when females, although men have also reported abuse, become subject to harassment. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) also suffer attacks when in search of water or other such necessities outside the settlements. Despite having reached a supposed safe haven IDPs reported to the UN[8] that they felt imprisoned, due to the close proximity of Janjawid. The UN also found that incidents such as this reduced in number within settlements inside Chad.

Having survived the physical trauma of abuse women must learn to cope with the mental pressures also. Ostracism arising from sexual attacks is high in Sudan. Many women detailing assaults, especially suffering multiple rapes, say their husbands cannot forgive them, and so they are abandoned[9]. Those who fall pregnant through rape are ostracised further. Both men and women believe that it is not normal to conceive a child through rape[10], as rape is unwanted sex.

Promoting the Amnesty report BBC news recorded that 'Marriage is very cheap in our days'[11], the words of a refugee. Families fear dishonour, and so accept low bridal prices. If women are not married and become subject to sexual violence for Janjawid there will be only a marginal chance of a proposal, As in the other countries examined once women are disowned they find themselves socially and economically vulnerable. In countries where men still adopt the role of breadwinner the future for women living outside the family is very uncertain.

[1] Amnesty International Darfur: Rape as a Weapon of War: Sexual Violence and its Consequences (2004 (c))
[2] Amnesty International (2004c:5)
[3] Amnesty International (2004c:6)
[4]Amnesty International (2004c:6)
[5] Amnesty International (2004c:5)
[6] Amnesty International (2004c:5)
[7] Amnesty International (2004c:6)
[8] 2004 United Nations Inter-Agency Fact Finding Mission, detailed in Rape as a Weapon of War Amnesty International (2004c:8)
[9] Amnesty International (2004c:6)
[10] Amnesty International (2004c:9)
[11] British Broadcasting Corporation News Testimonies of rape in Sudan (2004 (b))

Originally published January 2007.