Cohen & Nordås “militias and sexual violence”

• What is their study focus?

  They examine the patterns of sexual violence in contemporary armed conflicts and investigate whether states delegate the perpetration of such violence to militias
• what do they define as sexual violence?

  The study defines sexual violence as any act that results in physical, psychological, or emotional harm of a sexual nature, including rape, sexual assault, and sexual slavery
• what is the role of militias in sexual violence?

  Cohen and Nordås employ statistical analysis and case studies to examine the relationship between state involvement and the perpetration of sexual violence by militias
• How did they analysis this data?

  They analyze data from various armed conflicts to identify trends and patterns in the perpetration of sexual violence
• what was the study findings?

  That states do indeed delegate the perpetration of sexual violence to militias in armed conflicts

  States may utilize militias to carry out acts of sexual violence as a means of maintaining control, instilling fear, and terrorizing civilian populations
• what does their findings say about delegating?

  delegating such violence to militias allows states to distance themselves from direct responsibility and potential international condemnation for these atrocities
• what was Cohen and Nordås conclusion?

  Cohen and Nordås conclude that there is a correlation between state involvement and the perpetration of sexual violence by militias in armed conflicts