Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict: Understanding the Motivations

Sexual violence is a common feature of armed conflicts. Differences exist between and, in some cases within, conflicts in terms of the extent to which sexual violence is used as well as the manner in which it is perpetrated. An improved and more comprehensive understanding of the principal motivations for sexual violence, both in a general sense and in relation to a given context, is critical to the development of effective strategies for prevention and response.