RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
PDF-1(544.61 KB)
TitleExplaining the variation of conflict-related sexual violence
NameAlbarracin, Laura (author), Tillery, Alvin B. (chair), Licklider, Roy (internal member), Poast, Paul (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2012-05
Date Created2012
SubjectPolitical Science,
Rape as a weapon of war--Colombia,
War crimes--Colombia,
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia,
Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia
DescriptionWartime sexual violence belongs to one of the most horrific aspects of modern warfare. However, unlike much of the literature until the early 2000s suggested, it is not a ubiquitous element of war. The prevalence of sexual violence varies not only across conflicts but also within them. This thesis analyzes the variation of conflict-related sexual violence through a comparison of two Colombian armed groups, the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Drawing from theories that link the organizational structures of armed groups to their violence repertoires, it examines the importance of group norms, the gendered composition of armed groups and the effectiveness of command and control structures to explain the variation of conflict-related violence in the Colombian conflict. The findings suggest that the combination of group norms banning the sexual victimization of civilians, high levels of female participation and strict command and control account for the relative absence of sexual violence from the FARC’s violence repertoire. On the other hand, the absence of group wide norms coupled with weak hierarchical and disciplinary strength explains the high levels of sexual abuse perpetrated by the AUC.
NoteM.A.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Laura Albarracin
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000065072
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.