Rape as a Weapon

 I did not know they used rape as an weapon. I had read a little about the Boko Haram taking women. It's horrible what they do but also genius in the way that they can turn families against each other. I never thought of rape as a weapon, but it definitely is the main way to tear any family or community apart. 

We talked about whether it was fair to kill the women after they were raped. I think it isn't because they should have the choice to keep living or not. The psychological toll it takes on them is huge with PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc. But that doesn't necessarily mean they don't want to keep living. 

The article about ISIS reinforces the idea that terrorist groups use rape as a weapon. They exert their authority by taking away any rights and control away from the women they rape. I did a project on Human Trafficking in Bio Ethics, the victims of human traffickers start to think that it's their fault. They blame themselves for being raped and used. This in itself is a huge weapon because ISIS manipulated and used the victims to their advantage to spread terror. ISIS using the women is smart because it gives them most control. 

Overall rape used as a weapon is horrible but also really smart. If these groups use rape as a way to control of communities they take over it makes it easier to take over. I'm very grateful to be living in a place where I don't have to be scared of this happening to me. Rape as a weapon is very scary and dangerous thing.