Original scientific paper
Psycho-social consequences of war crimes of rape in the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese during the Greater-Serbian aggression
Sanja Kopunović Legetin
orcid.org/0000-0002-1038-0997
Suzana Vuletić
orcid.org/0000-0002-5629-6635
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Đakovo - University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia
Stanislav Šota
orcid.org/0000-0002-6979-4406
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Đakovo - University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
Defining war as the most tragic form of anti-humanism, anti-personalism and
anti-culturalism, the authors address the war crime of rape as the most difficult form of
traumatic experience. The introductory section of the paper presents crimes and abuses
at many levels that are characteristic for every war, including the Croatian War of Independence. Among all forms of traumatic experience, rape is reported as a complex
event characterized by extremely negative emotional consequences that leave severe and
lasting consequences visible in the everyday life of the traumatized person. The first
part of the paper deals with life after a traumatic rape event. The second part is largely
devoted to the psychosocial consequences that rape victims of war live with today. The
authors use the findings of a survey of rape victims from the War of Independence in
the area of the Đakovo-Osijek Archdiocese. Based on testimonies, predominant feelings
among victims are described, as well as mechanisms to manage these feelings and live with the trauma. The paper also describes the challenges faced by family members and
society in providing support. The third part particularly emphasizes the consequences of
the Greater-Serbian aggression during the War of Independence in the Đakovo-Osijek
Archdiocese.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
259923
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2020.
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