Recognizing Rape as a Method of Torture

The author argues for the recognition of rape under international human rights law as a method of torture. She begins by surveying the history of the prohibitions of rape and torture and examines the international community's failure to link the prohibitions of torture and rape. She notes that this failure has occurred by addressing women's rights as mainstream human rights, by perceiving torture and rape as separate offenses and by limiting the context of torture to detention. She argues that rape falls within the parameters of torture since rape is a physical and mental assault causing severe pain and suffering; committed for the purpose of punishment, discrimination, intimidation or coercion; and committed by a public official or a private individual acting with the acquiescence of the state. [Descriptors: Violence Against Women, International]