title: Collective Sexual Violence in Bosnia and Sierra Leone: A Comparative Case Study Analysis.
abstract: Social scientists have long studied the patterns, motivations, and recidivism rates of sexual offenders; however, the majority of prior research has examined rape, where victims are assaulted by a single offender in isolated events. Often overlooked are sexually violent assaults committed during armed conflicts, which often exhibit group-level sexual offending. This oversight could be a result of perceived notions that sexual violence during conflict is a rare or regrettable event; however, it has been documented consistently throughout history. The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of sexual violence during war by comparing and contrasting preconflict characteristics, conflict framing, and justifications for sexual violence in the Bosnian and Sierra Leone armed conflicts. This greater understanding can then be used to identify factors that may contribute to the collectivization of sexual violence during war.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA.
authors.forename: Tusty
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ten Bensel
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Sample
mesh_terms: D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012807:Sierra Leone; D014858:War Crimes
keywords: armed conflict; collective sexual violence; sexual offenders