WUNRN
Via Sexual Violence Research
Initiative - SVRI
CONGO - BEARING CHILDREN THROUGH
RAPE IN EASTERN CONGO: COMMUNITY & STATE RESPONSES
Direct Link to Full 9-Page Document:
"Almost
all the women and girls described social rejection by their parents, families,
community members and husbands. The stigma experienced resulted in girls being
chased away from their homes, taken out of school and fleeing to insecure
accommodation. Social rejection included being mocked and bullied by families
and communities and extended to the children born from rape who were considered
‘dangerous’. In the context of Congolese society rape is considered as ‘a
marriage’ with the rapist. A girl that is pregnant is no longer viewed as a
child that needs the care and affection of parents. A married woman that is
raped is viewed as an ‘unfaithful wife’. Although men and women considered rape
as a crime that should be punished, the general response blamed women and their
children and viewed them as having little value in society."
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