Rape in Congo Devastates Male Victims
November 18, 2011
Of the millions of rape victims in Congo, only a small percentage are male. But activists say the rape of men, boys and babies is still a weapon used in the conflict that plagues eastern Congo's countryside. Victims are left physically and mentally devastated, and many are suicidal
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This boy says a lieutenant in the army raped him while another man held him down. He passed out during the attack, but when he came to, unlike most male rape victims in Congo, he went to the police. He says the police did not believe him until he showed an officer his injuries. He then accused the soldier publicly. He says he was terrified of reprisals, but wanted justice more.
Victims' rights advocate and lawyer Florentin Basima says he asked the court to lock up the officer, and order $10,000 in reparations.
Basima says reparations are almost never actually paid, despite court orders. But he says in this case, the army officer was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The case is unusual in that male victims almost never seek help. Basima says most are psychologically and physically devastated, and too humiliated to tell anyone. Male victims often die from physical trauma or commit suicide.
Justine Masika, who heads Synergy of Women for Victims of Sexual Violence, says her organization has helped 18 male victims in the past few years. Five of them died because they didn't seek medical treatment soon enough after the attack.
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