Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) attacks social cohesion by destroying the fabric of entire communities and leaving survivors and their families to reckon with its devastating effects, long after the guns fall silence. Used as a tactic of war, torture, and terror sexual violence targets not only individuals, but their families, communities, and even societies as a whole, often leading to generational trauma. Many survivors are silenced by fears of reprisals and retaliation , by the limited availability of support services, and by the misplaced blame, shame and stigma that is borne by the victims, rather than the perpetrators. Conflict-related sexual violence is a war crime, a crime against humanity, and a constituent act of genocide under international law. It is a threat to individual and collective security and an impediment to the restoration of durable peace. The effects of this crime echo across generations , manifested through physical and psychological trauma, sti...
%E2%80%9D.JPG)
