New Research Highlights Complex Realities of Sexual Violence Experiences in the 1994 Genocide

Recent academic research deepens understanding of one of the most painful and frequently under-reported aspects of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – the dynamics and long-term impacts of sexual violence experienced by survivors.

Published in the Journal of Genocide Research, the article “Micro-Analysis of Victim-Survivors’ Stories: Nuancing the Dynamics and Complexities of Sexual Violence During the Genocide Against the Tutsi” by pracademic Judith Herrmann-Rafferty presents a nuanced examination of two personal survivor narratives gathered in Rwanda in 2015–16.

Key insights from the study

• Revealing lived experiences: The research provides a detailed micro-analysis of survivors’ stories, offering insight into the prevalence, varied forms, and relational complexities of sexual violence during the 1994 genocide — aspects that have often been marginalised in public discourse.
• Agency amid atrocity: Through these narratives, the study explores how victim-survivors exercised agency amid extreme violence, shedding light on the difficult decisions and survival strategies they navigated.
• Lasting relational harm: Beyond the immediate physical and emotional trauma, the article highlights how sexual violence deeply harmed survivors’ social and community relationships, with effects that extend well into post-genocide life.
• Healing, apology and forgiveness: The research also reflects on how apologies and processes of forgiveness intersect with survivors’ ongoing journeys of healing, pointing to the continuing needs for justice, recognition, and social support.

Why this matters

Even thirty years after the genocide, understanding the full scope and complexity of survivors’ experiences remains essential to meaningful memory, justice, and recovery work. This study contributes valuable evidence and voices to global scholarly and policy conversations about sexual violence in genocide contexts and underscores why survivor-centred narratives must remain at the forefront of efforts to support healing.

At Survivors Fund (SURF), we affirm the importance of listening to and amplifying survivors’ stories – not only to remember the past, but to inform the support and justice they continue to need today.

Trigger Warning: This post discusses sexual violence in the context of genocide.