Sexual Violence

Acts of sexual violence, including rape, sexual torture, forced incest, and forced perpetration of sexual violence by one civilian upon another, have been committed during war for centuries, if not from the earliest known conquests. Although acts of sexual violence committed by members of the military upon civilians were often viewed as an inevitable consequence of warfare, shifting understandings of sexual violence recognize such acts as weapons of warfare.

In addition to the sexual violence committed by enemy combatants against civilians, it is important to note that advocates for veterans have established terminology and protocols in response to reports from service members regarding military sexual trauma (MST). MST occurs as a psychological reaction to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other sexual activity in which male ...