Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict (SVAC)

This project focused on understanding how and why sexual violence occurs during and after armed conflict. A main tool developed in this project is a database of sexual violence (by conflict actor and year) in all active armed conflicts from 1989-2009. This global database, the Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict (SVAC) dataset, has been publicly released and can be used a reference base for other researchers and policy makers nationally and internationally. We have also made available a geo-referenced dataset of SVAC dataset, indicating where and when conflict events have been taking place where known sexual violence perpetrator groups have been involved. The project has supplemented the global database with case based studies focusing on the use of sexual violence in Bosnia, DRC, Peru, and Rwanda, relying on different data sources and types, and focusing on different aspects of conflict-related sexual violence. Several findings from the project have challenged common perceptions, whereas others have provided more solid evidence for relationships thought to exist. For example, state militaries are more involved in use of sexual violence than anticipated. We also find that sexual violence by pro-government militia groups is not a result of delegation by states to claim plausible deniability -- also contrary to previous assumptions. We do find evidence supporting a link between conflict-related sexual violence and increased civilian perpetrated violence, particularly domestic violence, during and after conflicts. In Peru, for example, we find that this is a particular problem in areas more affected by conflict-related sexual violence during the civil war. The project has disseminated results widely, and received considerable interest from various audiences. We have published i.a. a series of peer-reviewed publications, two book chapters in a textbook for military officers in Norway, several policy briefs and op. eds, in addition to the SVAC database. Results have also been presented and discussed at a wide range of events, from international academic conferences via guest lectures at different universities, to meetings with various policy makers and practitioners, such as representatives of foreign ministries, military officers, national and international NGOs, and activists. A website has been established for the SVAC database, and in its first 1.5 years in operation, it received more than 8000 unique visitors from 142 countries.

The project seeks to advance the research on sexual violence and conflict processes, and facilitate evidence-based preventive strategies. Sexual violence has become widely recognized as a problem of international security, and a possible weapon of war and genocide. However, the scientific study of sexual violence has been hampered by a lack of reliable data. The SVAC project will undertake the most comprehensive systematic empirical analysis to date of sexual violence in armed conflict and post-conflict s ettings. The project centers around seven key dimensions of sexual violence: (1) Prevalence, (2) perpetrators, (3) targets (victim characteristics), (4) form (types of violence), (5) location (place/type), (6) timing, and (7) aftermath (post-conflict). We will produce and analyze two cross-national datasets: The SVAC dataset on sexual violence by conflict actors (states, armed groups, militias) covering all armed conflicts (international and intrastate conflicts) from 1989 to 2012, and their aftermath; an d a dataset on sexual violence in society at large based on existing household surveys in well over 30 countries. For data triangulation purposes, and to uncover and verify/validate theoretical mechanisms, we will supplement the cross-national analyses wi th disaggregated analyses of the micro-foundations of sexual violence in Bosnia, DRC, Peru, and Rwanda, using various methodologies and data types/sources. The main project output will be two datasets, a series of academic articles/books, a website/blog o n sexual violence and conflict research, two conferences, and two Policy Briefs. The research team includes leading experts on armed conflict in general and sexual violence in particular; and spans several disciplines (political science, psychology, socio logy, economics, and gender studies), and a variety of research methods (e.g., statistical analysis, spatial analysis, game theory, qualitative and quantitative content analysis).