The Complexity of Violence:

This report, the first in Sida’s gender-based violence series, draws on an original case study, including extensive interviews with members of the armed forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By critically ­exploring and convincingly challenging existing stereotypes and narratives about sexual violence in conflict settings, the authors reveal the need for a nuanced understanding of SGBV, including its invisible victims. Their analysis transcends reductionist explanations that separate SGBV from other forms of violence that afflict war-torn societies, and haunt post-war contexts. They thus provide invaluable insights into the complex circumstances in which SGBV occurs.