Breaking the taboo: The struggle for justice and reparation for victims of sexual violence in the Colombian conflict

Abstract

Based on anthropological fieldwork during five monthes in Cartagena, Colombia, this thesis illustrates how sexual violence is used in the Colombian conflict and the obstacles and difficulties female civtims of this type of crime encounter when seeking justice and reparation. It shows the context factors like the situation of conflict in Colombia, nationale and international laws and programs on justice for victims of sexual abuse. The obstacles and difficulties are analyzed on cultural as well as institutional level in order to create a complete image of the problems these voctims come across. In this thesis I will include how gender norms in the Colombian society influence the determination of sexual abused women to seek the truth, justice and reparation. The issue of sexual violence in the Colombia is a taboo and is heavily silenced, by writing this thesis I want to contribute in my way to 'Break(ing) the taboo' so that these victims can obtain the justice and reparation that they ought to have by law