1. From sexual violence in conflict to domestic violence in peace: Working with male survivors of sexual violence to break the cycle Onen David Ongwech Refugee Law Project-Uganda Wynne Russell Athena Consortium

2. Our focus: conflict-related sexual violence against adult men Conflict-related: violence that occurs as a part of the playing out of armed conflict Adult males: can talk about children later In such violence, gender is particularly starkly visible – Other elements of the conflict also apply—race, religion – Poverty and inequality also at play – political economy of sexual violence

3. Some statistics Recorded in 27 conflicts in the last decade Prevalence – Liberia: 32.6% – DRC: 23.6% – Refugee Law Project: around 25% – Torture: 50-80%

4. Understanding Ultimate act of patriarchal control: a mechanism by which men are placed or kept in a position subordinate to other men It is gender-based violence: violence where victims are targeted on the basis of gender roles traditionally assigned to their sex – for perpetrators, dominating another male adds to power – for survivors, intended as an attack on: Their masculine identity The masculine identities of other men Non-violent masculinities

5. Main impact Physical: genital mutilation, castration Psychosexual: feminization, impotence Psychosocial: loss of respect of wives, families and communities

6. Response Responding: Perpetrators Ending impunity Changing military cultures Responding: Survivors Perpetrators Survivor

7. Ending impunity International instruments increasingly moving towards gender neutral language UNSC Resolution 1820 includes men and boys in its discussion of sexual violence ICTY and ICTR acknowledge male-directed sexual violence

8. But still a long way to go But taken as a whole, international human rights instruments are better at emphasizing men’s responsibilities than they are at acknowledging men’s vulnerabilities While instruments often start out with inclusive statements, in the body the language becomes more-female specific International criminal tribunals: male-directed sexual violence often prosecuted as torture rather than rape

9. Changing military cultures Still a long way to go Raises the question of what sorts of other violence male-directed sexual violence drives

10. Responding: Survivors Working with individual survivors Working with survivors’ families Working with survivor groups (Key thing; bringing them together)

11. Bringing male and female survivors together for collective advocacy Women & Girls = ‘victims’ Men & Boys = ‘perpetrators’

12. Key questions to ask when applying the concept of engaging men to EVW Sexual violence perpetrated to men by fellow men? Sexual violence perpetrated to women by fellow women? Sexual violence perpetrated to men by women? But are there cases of;

13. Key questions to ask How do we engage men to work with fellow men? How do we engage women to work with men? How do we engage men to work with women?

14. If they do exist, so how do we bring men and women survivors in one space? We we not challenging our own sense of manhood by allowing to sit with women for such discussions? But some of us were sexually abused by women Wouldn’t the women blame us for all what happened to them? But I have not even told my wife. So would it be known to the public now? What form of protection do I have? We were abused largely by men. So why should we even bother to sit with representatives of men? They will dominate discussions and will defend themselves (Masculinity) Some of us even have children born as a result of what happened. We are more affected than the men But what will change even if we decide to do so? It has happened and shall never be reversed Men Women Fears

15. But we should ideally meet: What are the motivating factors then? We might have a strong voice and be heard if we come together We shall challenge the ‘survivor/victim’ and ‘perpetrator’ discussion We need men to be be reach out to fellow men to challenge this injustice

16. 2 Big Asks

17. More support is needed to male survivors Address physical & psychological needs Provide safe spaces for men to speak & report cases First Things First

18. Be brave; overcome institutional barriers (Barriers to bringing women and men together)

19. Thank you for listening Wynne Russell Wynne.russell@yahoo.com Onen David Ongwech gender@refugeelawproject.org