Rape: Weapon of War and Genocide, edited by John K. Roth and Carol Rittner (Paragon House), examines how rape has been used as a weapon of war and genocide across multiple conflicts. The book combines academic analysis with survivor testimonies, trial transcripts, and historical documents spanning from 1937 to 2011.
The text covers numerous conflicts, including the Holocaust, the Bosnian War, the Rwandan genocide, and ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each chapter provides detailed analysis of how sexual violence was systematically employed to destroy communities and dehumanize victims.
The book highlights significant legal developments, such as the 1996-1998 Akayesu case in Rwanda, which established rape as a genocidal weapon under international law. While progress has been made in recognizing and prosecuting these crimes, the authors emphasize that much more needs to be done to enforce existing laws and protect vulnerable populations.
Particularly notable is the examination of the Democratic Republic of Congo, labeled by Human Rights Watch as “the worst place in the world to be a woman,” where systematic rape has devastated communities and left countless victims traumatized and abandoned.
The work concludes by acknowledging recent legal progress while emphasizing the ongoing need for stronger enforcement and protection mechanisms.