DRC: Researcher Searches for Ways to Prevent Rape in the Congo

Congolese men and women have different views on sexual violence said Jocelyn Kelly, research coordinator for the Women in War program at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative who presented research at Simmons March 29.

Kelly recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she investigated genesis, patterns, effects, mitigating and preventative factors around sexual violence.

Kelly recounted her experience working with Dr. Susan Bartels at the Panzi Hospital in the South Kivu province of the Congo. There, Kelly along with two other research assistants and three local data entry personnel entered more than 4,200 hospital records of sexual violence survivors. The data represented hospital visits from 2002 to 2010. The women ranged from just three years old to 80-year-old women.

"Seventy-six percent of the women were gang raped and 56 percent of the rapes occurred at home in the night," Kelly said.

"Male family members rejected and stigmatized rape," Kelly said. "Sexual violence also changed the way women were perceived as daughters, wives, and prospective wives,"

Men seemed to have a more broad definition of sexual violence. While women described it as having sex with someone against their will, men defined it as "destruction."

"Women who have consensual sex outside of marriage are viewed the same as women who have been raped," Kelly found. "Men will justify kicking a woman out," using this logic.

Sexual violence was cited as a reason community values were changing.

Kelly interviewed rebels who raped women in the Congo. Kelly and Congolese men who were trained as social workers and psychologists interviewed 33 of the Mai Mai militia group.

"Many of these men were victims of the conflict and had their mothers killed," Kelly said.

Men who join militia groups then become the perpetrator and commit horrific acts of violence.

It was also hard for Kelly to interview the men. "There was an intense desperation coming from the people you didn't want to humanize," she said.

In the interviews, many of the men saw themselves as protectors and felt that they were justified because they saw fellow militia members do it.

"Men who did well in battle would take the women out of the village and distribute them. Men who are high-ranked were given one women to themselves or more women," said Kelly

Soldiers also made a distinction as to what type of rape was 'bad.'" Kelly told a story of a soldier who would never rape a young woman, but older woman were okay to rape.

One problem for men who have joined militias is the lack of incentive to demobilize. "There are few sustainable job solutions, and little to no pay in the armed forces. Soldiers rejoin militias because of the lack of alternatives,"said Kelly.

The normalization of violence has caused repercussions in the community.

"There are higher rates of rapes caused by civilians," Kelly said.

When asked how she has dealt with such a depressing issue on a personal level, Beth Maclin, '08, Kelly's research assistant replied, "It's really, really hard to read stories about sexual violence every day. There is hope that this is research with a purpose. The emotional capital comes with a payoff though. Not personally but that the pay off will help people."

Maclin will go to the Congo with Kelly in May to continue researching sexual violence.

"They are so much more than survivors of violence. They are mothers, wives, and gospel singers. They are inspiring women," Kelly said.

The research was split into qualitative and quantitative findings. The research indicated that those who were most vulnerable to rape were women who lived in rural areas.

Two rounds of interviews were conducted on focus groups to find out what the community attitudes were toward sexual violence. Focus groups, which were separated by gender, were asked specific questions about sexual violence, as well as how communities have changed because of the conflict.

The research they've presented has impacted policy.

The World Bank will be changing its funding structure to provide more support to families. Kellyo hopes that the finding will "change packages given to soldiers who have demobilized."

Gaurds have also changed the hours they patrol due to the research findings.

Kelly said not to be dismissive of what one individual can achieve. "Writing one really thoughtful letter to a congressman is incredibly powerful."