Researching wartime rape in Eastern Congo: Why we should continue to talk to survivors

Sahla Aroussi

doi:10.1177/1468794119884880

Researching wartime rape in Eastern Congo: Why we should continue to talk to survivors

Sahla Aroussi

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

106 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article examines why survivors of rape in conflict take part in academic research and the impact that participating in sexual violence studies has on them. The research is based on 76 qualitative interviews conducted with survivors of sexual violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study established that survivors of rape were driven to participate in the research mainly because of their need to speak out and share their experiences, but participants were also influenced by the desire to seek advice and their willingness to help others in similar circumstances. The study also showed that most survivors interviewed found the experience of taking part in research beneficial. The article provides key methodological and ethical recommendations for the conduct of similar research in this area, focusing on methods, empathy, and the need for researchers to be prepared to go beyond their academic role when engaging with survivors.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	582-597
Number of pages	16
Journal	Qualitative Research
Volume	20
Issue number	5
Early online date	12 Nov 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794119884880
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2020

Bibliographical note

Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

Funding

This research was funded by the British Academy (Award number SG 150505).

Funders	Funder number
British Academy	SG 150505

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

rape survivors
conflict
Africa
research participation
Congo

Access to Document

10.1177/1468794119884880

Post-PrintAccepted author manuscript, 901 KBLicence: Unspecified

Cite this

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abstract = "This article examines why survivors of rape in conflict take part in academic research and the impact that participating in sexual violence studies has on them. The research is based on 76 qualitative interviews conducted with survivors of sexual violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study established that survivors of rape were driven to participate in the research mainly because of their need to speak out and share their experiences, but participants were also influenced by the desire to seek advice and their willingness to help others in similar circumstances. The study also showed that most survivors interviewed found the experience of taking part in research beneficial. The article provides key methodological and ethical recommendations for the conduct of similar research in this area, focusing on methods, empathy, and the need for researchers to be prepared to go beyond their academic role when engaging with survivors. ",

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AB - This article examines why survivors of rape in conflict take part in academic research and the impact that participating in sexual violence studies has on them. The research is based on 76 qualitative interviews conducted with survivors of sexual violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study established that survivors of rape were driven to participate in the research mainly because of their need to speak out and share their experiences, but participants were also influenced by the desire to seek advice and their willingness to help others in similar circumstances. The study also showed that most survivors interviewed found the experience of taking part in research beneficial. The article provides key methodological and ethical recommendations for the conduct of similar research in this area, focusing on methods, empathy, and the need for researchers to be prepared to go beyond their academic role when engaging with survivors.

KW - rape survivors

KW - conflict

KW - Africa

KW - research participation

KW - Congo

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DO - 10.1177/1468794119884880

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ER -

Researching wartime rape in Eastern Congo: Why we should continue to talk to survivors

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this