Sexual Violence and Children
Sexual violence is unique in that it can create a human being. As a result, it has sometimes been the stated intent of perpetrators to create children who are of one or another ethnicity or culture, this has been documented in Bosnia, Rwanda, and many other countries. The support of the resulting children and their mothers can be particularly complicated in post-conflict settings as it involves cultural acceptance, economic support, legal status, and other important societal factors. Without attention to this issue, entire generations of post-conflict survivors can be adversely impacted.
“Imagine an orphanage where over 300 children born out of rape have been abandoned because of the shame and stigma associated with sexual violence. ”