Male or Female, Sexual Violence Is the Arm of Oppression

The Congo is going through one of the most unstable, violent periods of its history. We have heard about the thousands of women who are raped in an effort to control the population. But what we are probably less aware of is the growing number of male rape survivors in the area.

The New York Times has a piece about this less well known epidemic. According to the article, there are probably hundreds of male rape survivors in the area.

Just as sexual violence has been used to exert power over women for centuries, it is being used to destroy the lives of these men for the same reason. The article states that being raped is a socially stigmatizing experience for these men who are often ostracized because of a negative view of homosexuality. They are often viewed by others as being less masculine.

I think it is important to look at how sexual violence is one way that power relations and oppression can be enacted against everyone, regardless of sexuality, gender, race, or class. The problem is sexual violence and traditional norms of masculine behavior. Regardless of whether or not the victim is male or female, the aggressors are using behaviors that they have been taught to use to reinforce their masculinity and power positions that are completely inhumane and unacceptable.

Photo courtesy of www.flickr/halfcrazy