That was not why it surprised me. It surprised me because sometimes the goal (or result) of systemic rape is to impregnate women. It can be a weapon of ethnic cleansing: forcing the women of another people to give birth to their enemies' children.
Of course, the ethnic factor is not (so far as I know) at play in Libya. But forcible impregnation can further traumatize the victim(s), and in some places, cause the victims to be abandoned by their husbands, rejected by their families, or even ostracized.
I agree with you about rape being a weapon of war. I disagree with your conclusions. Your list implies that reports of rape must only be made when they cannot be misused for others' agendas. Think of all the times that could happen:
1) When the rapist and victim are of different races, religions, classes, or nationalities that have a history of violent conflict. What if the report caused retributive violence?
2) When the rapist is a member of a traditionally oppressed group or religious minority. What if the report was used to justify discrimination or bigotry?
3) When the rape is committed by "our enemies". What if it is used to justify unjustified military actions?
4) When the rape is committed by our own people, or our allies'. What if "our enemies" commit violence against us because of it?
Indeed, if rape was only to be reported when it was convenient and unlikely to cause turmoil, it would never be reported.
As for false accusations, here's what I know: of all the women I personally know who've told me they've been raped, none has told me they have pressed charges. Not one. (I've known one male who reported a rape.) What that tells me is, for every rape that is reported, many more go unreported.
It's horrifying. But sadly, the only thing that surprises me about this story is that they're using condoms. Rape is a common weapon of war, and of genocide.
All praise and honor to Iman al-Obeidi for her courage, and to the women and children protesting for their solidarity.
And now I read below, the ethnic factor is in play in some rapes.
That was not why it surprised me. It surprised me because sometimes the goal (or result) of systemic rape is to impregnate women. It can be a weapon of ethnic cleansing: forcing the women of another people to give birth to their enemies' children.
Of course, the ethnic factor is not (so far as I know) at play in Libya. But forcible impregnation can further traumatize the victim(s), and in some places, cause the victims to be abandoned by their husbands, rejected by their families, or even ostracized.
I agree with you about rape being a weapon of war. I disagree with your conclusions. Your list implies that reports of rape must only be made when they cannot be misused for others' agendas. Think of all the times that could happen:
1) When the rapist and victim are of different races, religions, classes, or nationalities that have a history of violent conflict. What if the report caused retributive violence?
2) When the rapist is a member of a traditionally oppressed group or religious minority. What if the report was used to justify discrimination or bigotry?
3) When the rape is committed by "our enemies". What if it is used to justify unjustified military actions?
4) When the rape is committed by our own people, or our allies'. What if "our enemies" commit violence against us because of it?
Indeed, if rape was only to be reported when it was convenient and unlikely to cause turmoil, it would never be reported.
As for false accusations, here's what I know: of all the women I personally know who've told me they've been raped, none has told me they have pressed charges. Not one. (I've known one male who reported a rape.) What that tells me is, for every rape that is reported, many more go unreported.
It's horrifying. But sadly, the only thing that surprises me about this story is that they're using condoms. Rape is a common weapon of war, and of genocide.
All praise and honor to Iman al-Obeidi for her courage, and to the women and children protesting for their solidarity.