Tactical Rape in War and Conflict: International Recognition and Response

The use of rape as a deliberate tactic of war and genocide is not just a serious human rights issue, but also a threat to international and individual security. The first book to analyze rape as an act of war against civilians, Brenda Fitzpatrick’s groundbreaking study highlights both these horrors and the international progress away from tacit acceptance to active rejection. Exploring historical international responses to sexual violence in war, defining the theoretical terms and legal developments behind the United Nations Security Council resolutions on women, peace, and security, and detailing emerging international law in this area, Tactical Rape in War and Conflict identifies best practices that will be essential reading for nongovernmental agencies as well as humanitarian and international law practitioners. Also including powerful testimonies from victims, this book will force us to move beyond accepting rape in war as an inevitable evil to the recognition of tactical rape as a security concern for women, men, states, and the international community at large.