Systematic Sexual Violence: Venezuela
This case note documents the occurrence of sexual violence in violent conflict. It contains explicit mentions of different forms of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Background of the conflict
Since me early 1990s, under Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has faced a socioeconomic crisis that worsened under his successor, Nicolas Maduro. In response to the using shortages in Venezuela, Hugo Chavez declared an “economic war” in June 2010 (Larmer, 2018). The crisis intensified under Nicolas Maduro, owing to the low oil prices in 2015 and a drop in oil production from the lack of maintenance and investments. The opposition declared a health and humanitarian crisis in 2016. The government actively denied the existence of a crisis and began a campaign of violent repression targeting the opposition. With this, extrajudicial killings and the active targeting of people for participating in anti-government demonstrations. Political corruption, chronic shortages of food and medicine, unemployment, authoritarianism, and human rights violations prevailed. Sanctions have been imposed internationally response to the human rights abuses (Kurmanev, 2018).
Prevalence of sexual violence
According to Human Rights Watch and Johns Hopkins (2019), over 454,000 Venezuelan women have emigrated to Colombia having faced threats of sexual exploitation and abuse, trafficking, gender-based silence, and violations of sexual and reproductive health rights. Reports also suggest that Venezuelan women are at risk of sex trafficking, and that indigenous women are especially vulnerable to violence. In 2021, Human Rights Watch also reported that rape and sexual violence were committed by civilian authorities, members of the armed forces, and government supporters. Owing to conditions of poverty and economic disadvantage, several women and children have been subject to transaction sex, where food and aid are given to them in exchange for sex (El Cooperante, 2017).
Basis of the use of sexual violence
Sexual violence and rape have been used as mechanisms of torture, to intimidate and humiliate individuals targeted. It has also been used as a means to suppress any dissent or opposition to the government. Women and girls have been trafficked for sex and forced labour, as well. Aside from this, sexual violence has been committed opportunistically, owing to the breakdown of the security sector. Reports also suggest the prevalence of transaction or survival sex.
References
Human Rights Watch (2019)."Venezuela's humanitarian emergency: Large-scale UN response needed to address health and food crises". Human Rights Watch. 4 April 2019. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/04/04/venezuelas-humanitarian-emergency/large-scale-un-response-needed-address-health
Human Rights Watch (2021). "Venezuela, the International Criminal Court, and Impunity". Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/07/21/venezuela-international-criminal-court-and-impunity
El Cooperante (2017). "Sexo por comida: las niñas venezolanas que se prostituyen para saciar el hambre | El Cooperante". https://elcooperante.com/sexo-por-comida-las-ninas-venezolanas-que-se-prostituyen-por-un-bocado/
Kurmanaev, Anatoly (17 May 2019). "Venezuela's Collapse Is the Worst Outside of War in Decades, Economists Say". https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/world/americas/venezuela-economy.html
Larmer, Brook (1 November 2018). "What 52,000 Percent Inflation Can Do to a Country". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/magazine/venezuela-inflation-economics.html
