Condoning, Condemning or Confronting? Triggers and Responses to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Development

Summary

This report summarizes research on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). As a point of departure, the report highlights an often-overlooked aspect of CRSV: that the spread and intensity of CRSV tends to fluctuate over time within one and the same conflict. This fluctuation is largely independent from overall battle intensity. Based on findings from statistical analyses, the report covers various reasons for why CRSV changes over time. The report summarizes research relating to factors that should have an impact on CRSV intensity: peacekeeping and international condemnation. The findings show that the impact of these interventions is less straightforward than policy-makers might hope. The report furthermore shares findings relating to two factors increasing the risk of CRSV escalation: military intervention and domestic protests. By way of concluding, the report offers several recommendations for policy.