Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the high rates of sexual violence occurring in both active conflicts and in the transitions to peace. This violence occurs during military operations, inside the civilian population, and also within military personnel structures. Young people are highly implicated in these violations as both victims and perpetrators. These factors have led to the call for a better understanding of the experiences of both boys and girls used as child soldiers and their exposure to sexual violence. What are the long-term implications for peace and security when children and youth are educated in the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war? This chapter will discuss the need to find new approaches to preventing sexual violence in conflict that focus on preventing the use of children as perpetrators and recipients of this violence. Special focus will be given to the case of South Sudan.
Neither truth or lie serves in war, both have merit when needed.
—Former Child Soldier interviewed in Colombia
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Notes
- 1.
Actors, in this context, refers to both state and non-state members of national militaries, militias, and gangs.
- 2.
The Six Grave Violations of Child Rights were formally identified by the UNSC through UN SC Resolution 1612 to improve monitoring and prevention capabilities of violence towards children living in conflict affected areas.
- 3.
Tukuls are a cone-shaped hut traditionally found in Eastern and Northeastern Africa. They are often made of mud and toped with a roof made of straw or a similar material.
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Whitman, S. (2019). Sexual Violence in Conflict: Understanding the Experience of Child Soldiers. In: Willhauck, S. (eds) Female Child Soldiering, Gender Violence, and Feminist Theologies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21982-6_3
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