The Complexity of Violence: A Critical Analysis of Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

In response to the ways in which sexual violence in the DRC has been described and conceptualised, this report sets
out to identify and critically reflect upon various factors that may contribute to this violence. The report will not embark on a description of the character of the violence by citing survivor testimonies, since this has already been done in numerous other reports. Neither will it embark on the impossible task of trying to assess the real numbers of violations committed.

While the report focuses on the DRC, we believe it is also relevant for the understanding of sexual violence in other conflict and post-conflict settings. Moreover, the great attention paid to sexual violence in the DRC, reflected in the interventions of various international actors, makes the DRC a particularly good case from which to learn.