PSYCHO-SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF WAR CRIMES OF RAPE IN THE ĐAKOVO-OSIJEK ARCHDIOCESE DURING THE GREATER-SERBIAN AGGRESSION
PSYCHO-SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF WAR CRIMES OF RAPE IN THE ĐAKOVO-OSIJEK ARCHDIOCESE DURING THE GREATER-SERBIAN AGGRESSION

Summary/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.

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