also include inquiries into the medical and social consequences of sexual violence, and
psychological symptoms will be examined using validated instruments. The sexual violence
survivor’s initial interview will be linked to her hospital chart using a unique identifier. This will
allow investigators to document outcomes such as pregnancy, STIs and HIV/AIDS as well as
physical injuries and gynecological pathology such as fistulas. The prevalence of STIs, HIV,
fistulas, and psychological symptoms will be compared to women presenting to Panzi Hospital
for reasons other than post-rape services. All women who present to Panzi Hospital requesting
post-sexual violence care will be invited to participate in the survey and all interviewers will
receive rigorous training on how to use the survey instrument in a standardized fashion and how
to properly document data.
ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE DATA FOR NORTH KIVU
Sexual atrocities have also been widely documented in North Kivu, particularly in a succession
of periods of conflict and violence against civilians since 2007.(43) North Kivu also has a
regional referral center for sexual violence survivors; the HEAL Africa Hospital in
Goma. Further retrospective and prospective research in North Kivu will allow a more accurate
depiction of militia activities and will provide indications of targeted strategies for civilian
protection. These studies will also allow a comparison of the patterns of military rape between
North and South Kivu, which will provide greater insight into the motives that drive various
armed militias to commit sexual violence. And finally, examination of sexual violence trends in
North Kivu will foster a greater understanding of how wartime rape affects the attitudes of local
community members towards sexual violence.
Young woman in Bukavu
(John Paul Doguin, ©2007)
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