Patterns of Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: Reports from Survivors Presenting to Panzi Hospital in 2006

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Author: 
Conflict and Health, BioMed Central
Africa
Central Africa
Congo (Kinshasa)

Despite the signing of international peace agreements, a deadly war continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and sexual violence is a prominent modus operandi of many military groups operating in the region. Retrospective cohort study of women who presented to Panzi Hospital in 2006 requesting postsexual violence care. Data was extracted and analyzed to describe the patterns of sexual violence. Among sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital in 2006, the majority of attacks occurred in women's own homes, often at night. This represents a pattern of violence that differs from other conflict settings and has important implications regarding protection strategies. Sexual violence in South Kivu was also marked with a predominance of gang rape, thus increasing the risk of serious injury as well as the likelihood of an individual woman contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Sexual slavery was noted to be more common among young, single women and was found to have a high rate of resultant pregnancy.

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Conflict and Health, BioMed Central, Patterns of Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 2010