Increasing attention has been paid to the horrible crime of rape during peacetime.

Recent focus has been on hierarchical rapes — that is, sexual assault committed by people in positions of authority over their victims. But the most common form of rape throughout world history has been as a weapon of war. Historically the victor in a battle had the power to “rape and pillage” the losers. Modern rules of warfare are now making rape a war crime if committed by soldiers under the direction of their commanders. This is because rape continues to be a weapon of war even today.

There are several kinds of rape that are used as weapons. During the war in the former Yugoslavia, enemy women were raped and deliberately impregnated in order to cause them to bear the children of the victors. During the... Read More