84 men raped during war, present themselves to Kosovo institutions

QKMT Executive Director Feride Rushiti said the purpose of this conference is to expand and deepen the understanding and gender dynamics of war, and sexual violence during it, to increase knowledge and understanding of surviving men's experiences and to contribute to the contextisation and broader recognition in the community, society and political spectrum, broadcast news.

She also cited a statement by a man who was violated during the war, which she said he still faces his terrible past.

This conference has not by chance been named as the modes of sexual violence during the war against men and boys, where it aims to awaken knowledge and understand the dramatic experiences of men who suffered during the war, the pain and challenges they face. Then the need for rehabilitation as well as contribute to the record and wider knowledge in society and community. Silence is not a solution, I had asked you for this silence to find the strength to walk away from”, the director said.

Saranda Bogujevci, deputy head of the Kosovo Assembly, said anyone who has experienced any violence during the war is equal, while calling for sexually violated during the war not to be stigmatised.

I'm happy to be part of a treatment of a more cruel crime that we've experienced not ourselves but in other countries as well. Treating a group of these survivors that are already being discussed. The crimes we've experienced during the war are equal in the sense that a person who has been injured can not be seen as a hero, and a violent person to stigmatize”, she said.

We have a responsibility to speak up and change this approach. Because everyone is a victim and has experienced trauma and there can be no such division. As for the cases of punishments, I think there should be stricter penalties not only in Kosovo but worldwide. We are able to contribute to each of us more”, Boguyevci added.

Melanie J.H. Scarlett, the head of the foreign policy team at the British Embassy in Kosovo, said most of the men raped in Kosovo so far have not ventured to tell their story.

According to her, only 84 men so far sexually violated during the war have appeared near institutions.

This subject of sexual violence has touched my heart since I started working in Kosovo. Supporting survivors of sexual violence during the war has been under way since 2012. As part of this job, we have challenged sexual violence to reduce the risk of survivors in society and family. A lot has to be done, we won't make it unless we give attention to sexual violence. There are many survivors who have no courage to go out. Only 84 survivors of male sex violence in Kosovo have so far been presented”, she said.

Investigations Tahiri Sullivan, the survivor of sexual violence during the war, called for all those who experienced violence during the war to seek their rights for treatment, rehabilitation and access to justice.

I am pleased that this conference is dedicated to survivors of men and boys of sexual violence during the war, as it is far more important to raise awareness and support of this sensitive group in our society”.

Even survivors of men and boys as well as girls and women bear the weight of shame, guilt of fear. By breaking this silence we not only empower each other but also challenge the harmful standards that perpetuate a culture of silence and shame”, she said.

This conference has also published the book “Voices Unreaded Voices, compiled in the format of oral history narrative, explores the complications of wartime sexual violence and social justice through accounts of 10 surviving men who experienced the trauma of sexual violence and dealing with collective shame and stigma. / EO