The staff of the Centre for Psychotrauma therapy found it difficult to discuss the sexual torture of men. One therapist had never even imagined that a man could be sexually abused until a man showed up naked and bleeding from the anus.
The therapist’s attitude discouraged men from looking for and reporting sexual torture of men. This article examines the reasons why gendered human rights discourse might limit sexual torture. It also discusses the impact of gender on the frequency of sexual torture.
Incidence of sexual torture in wartime Croatia
An in-depth study of Croatia’s wartime history has revealed that men are also susceptible to sexual torture. Though the study was designed to assess the prevalence of such violence, it has uncovered few self-reported cases. Only nine male war veterans reported sexual assault and genital beating, while five other male patients reported rape. Of course, these figures may not represent the full picture. In addition, there is little data on the number of civilian males who were subjected to genital abuse.
In the case of the alleged perpetrators of the crimes against humanity, the Trial Chamber has determined that the Serbian forces committed grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva conventions. This includes inhuman treatment, wilful suffering and serious injury to the body. In a separate case, an accused soldier, Dusko Tadic, was found guilty of crimes committed by his subordinates. The war crimes he committed are also punishable under Croatia’s war crimes laws.
Symptoms of sexual torture
Symptoms of sexual abuse can include a wide range of physical ailments, including scarring, chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, and genitourinary complications, including infection and unwanted pregnancy. Psychological effects of sexual abuse may be pronounced, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, victims may become suicidal or engage in self-harm. Fortunately, the vast majority of victims do not experience these physical complications.
Psychological factors are the most common forms of sexual torture. Non-physical acts of humiliation such as sexual taunts can be equally devastating to the victim. Regardless of gender, it can be devastating to be stripped naked in front of a stranger. Moreover, non-physical acts of sexual harassment, such as being stripped in front of strange men, may also constitute sexual torture. And the psychological impact of sexual taunts is just as significant.
Organisations that treat male survivors of sexual torture
It is a well-known fact that sexual violence against men is prevalent, particularly in conflict zones. This situation has consequences not just for the perpetrators, but for the victims, their families and communities as well. Survivors often become isolated from their social networks and families, a condition exacerbated by their experience of sexual violence. In addition, the loss of a working-age male from the family can seriously affect livelihood options.
While there are many causes of sexual abuse, it is rarely acknowledged. It has been widely used for political purposes, such as in initiation into the military, terrorising communities and preventing social cohesion. Sometimes, it occurs alongside other crimes, such as forced displacement and arbitrary detention. The evidence of sexual torture against males is very limited, however, and few perpetrators have ever been prosecuted. This is largely due to a lack of political will to bring perpetrators to justice.
International gendered human rights discourse may limit sexual torture
Gendered human rights discourse is limited by state violence. It tends to focus on sexual violence against women. That focus can be problematic, as it limits the scope of human rights discourse to crimes against women. In this article, I will discuss some of the challenges that gendered human rights discourse faces. Read on to learn how gendered human rights discourse can prevent sexual torture and other forms of state violence.
The practice of sexual torture affects relationships in a broad sense. It results in generalized anger and mistrust of authority figures. It implicates the social self and impairs the victim’s ability to mother. Sexually abused women are often threatened with death or even the loss of custody of their children. International human rights discourse may limit sexual torture. By focusing on state sovereignty, international gendered human rights discourse can limit sexual abuse.
