Exploring Cultural Factors in the “Systemic Revictimization” of Rape Survivors in Mwenga (DRC)

Buuma Maisha (), Janelle Anglin, Timothee Mwindo, Carolanne Tomsine and Sandrine M’Bassé Florent
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Buuma Maisha: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4, Canada
Janelle Anglin: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4, Canada
Timothee Mwindo: Faculty of Medicine and Community Health, Université Évangélique en Afrique, Bukavu 3323, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Carolanne Tomsine: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4, Canada
Sandrine M’Bassé Florent: School of Counseling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4, Canada

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: This study builds on past research noting the psychosocial challenges women face in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as survivors of rape. There is an interpretation of rape in these communities as a sexual taboo and as a danger to the families and communities of the survivors. The participants in this study described how these social norms and beliefs lead to isolation, feelings of shame, interpersonal difficulties, and hesitancy to seek medical and psychological treatment. In this study, we used a qualitative research methodology to investigate the subjective experiences of survivors and what support they thought to be the most useful in their families and communities. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: general social practices and beliefs, social reactions and consequences of rape, and the ideal social reaction to rape. The participants shared insights into two sets of values. On the one hand, there are relationship-focused values with the potential to influence revictimizing social reactions. On the other hand, there are person-focused values with the potential to rally the community in solidarity and support for survivors. These results suggest that local communities and families are key stakeholders in creating a safe and supportive social environment necessary for the survivors’ journey to recovery. Prioritizing efforts to mitigate the conflict between relationship-focused and person-focused values is recommended.

Keywords: systemic revictimization; social values; social norms; women; rape survivors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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