Challenging Conceptions: Children Born of Wartime Rape and Sexual Exploitation

Governments, international organizations, and international laws and courts increasingly pay attention to conflict-related sexual violence, but there is little mention of the potential and obvious outcomes of sexual violence: pregnancy, abortion, forced maternity. This collection explores the life of children born of wartime rape across time and space, shining light on why young people born of rape are or are not able to rejoin their families and society in the post-conflict. It reveals the local, national, and international actions of how children born of wartime rape and their families are positioned in society and how they strive to transcend this and position themselves as they move from abuse, marginalization, and pain into belonging and justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Governments, international organizations, and international laws and courts are increasingly paying attention to conflict-related sexual violence. The core of the UN Women Peace and Security Agenda is to stop conflict-related sexual violence against women. However, with over two decades of grappling with conflict-related sexual violence and its legacies, there is only passing mention of the potential and obvious outcomes of sexual violence: pregnancy, abortion, forced maternity. What do we know about children conceived through acts of sexual abuse? What are their life chances? How do they exist with their mothers and within their families?

In this collection, we hear from the leading researchers and practitioners from around the globe, each of whom has spent decades working with women who survived wartime rape and with their children who were the result of that violence. This ground-breaking collection explores the life cycles. Cycles of children born of wartime rape across time and space. It shines a light on why young people born of rape are or are not able to rejoin their families and society in the post-conflict. It explores the different ways these children learn about their origins and how they, their families, and societies react to that understanding. It reveals the local, national, and international actions of how children born of wartime rape and their families are positioned in society and how they strive to transcend this and position themselves as they move from abuse, marginalization, and pain into belonging and justice.

The impact of conflict-related sexual violence on children is profound and far-reaching. It can have long-term physical, emotional, and psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Children born of rape may also face social stigma and discrimination, which can limit their ability to form relationships, access education, and achieve their full potential.

Despite these challenges, there are also many positive outcomes for children born of rape. Many survivors of wartime rape are able to rebuild their lives and create fulfilling families. Children born of rape can also be strong advocates for their rights and the rights of their peers, working to raise awareness about the issue and promote change.

In conclusion, conflict-related sexual violence is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted response. Governments, international organizations, and international laws and courts must work together to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and to support survivors and their children. Researchers and practitioners must continue to expand our understanding of the impact of sexual violence on children and develop effective interventions to support them. By working together, we can create a world where children born of rape are able to thrive and live fulfilling lives.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197648315