Rape during conflict is often over-simplified and sensationalised in the accounts of international humanitarian agencies. This article suggests that such narratives on rape are connected to the way international tribunals and courts have narrowly framed the crime of rape. Limited legal constructions of rape reinforce a hierarchy where rape is seen as more worthy of protection than other forms of gender-based violence – a hierarchy that international humanitarian agencies perpetuate through their narratives on rape during conflict. Based on ethnographic accounts from Syrian women and men, this article draws attention to the problematic consequences of focusing on sensational narratives. It aims to reposition rape – and gender-based violence more broadly – within unequal power structures and a wider system of women’s subordination. It argues that while less incendiary, other kinds of gender-based violence during conflict may be just as insidious as rape.

中文翻译：

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挑战耸人听闻：关于强奸作为叙利亚战争武器的叙述

在国际人道主义机构的描述中，冲突期间的强奸往往过于简单化和耸人听闻。本文表明，此类关于强奸的叙述与国际法庭和法院狭隘地界定强奸罪的方式有关。强奸的有限法律结构强化了一种等级制度，在这种等级制度中，强奸被视为比其他形式的基于性别的暴力更值得保护——国际人道主义机构通过他们关于冲突期间强奸的叙述延续了这种等级制度。根据叙利亚女性和男性的民族志描述，本文提请注意关注耸人听闻的叙事会带来的问题后果。它旨在在不平等的权力结构和更广泛的妇女从属制度中重新定位强奸——以及更广泛的基于性别的暴力。