Coventry University Lecturer and Professor in Clinical Psychology, Helen Liebling has published an affecting piece of research into women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo who have suffered rape as a weapon of war.
The research was undertaken in association with Mrs. Henny Slegh, Medical Anthropologist at the Institute of Mental Health in Rwanda and DRC and Dr. Benoit Ruratotoye from the Institute of Mental Health in Goma, DRC.
The research offers insight into the underlying causes and consequences of sexual violence and their impact on the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
The article (linked below) reports on British Academy funded research which examined the impact of bearing a child from rape, and the related health and justice responses.
Individual interviews, focus groups and workshops with women, girls and health and justice service providers identified the social, health and psychological consequences of rape and bearing children.
Findings show the negative impact that rape and bearing a child has on Congolese society, and how this impedes the successful achievement of key MDGs. The current research should stimulate debate, and provide a useful resource for policy and service reviews.
Read the full article here: Women and Girls Bearing Children through Rape in Goma, Eastern Congo: Stigma, Health and Justice Responses
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