Sexual Violence among Men in the Military in South Korea

Citation:

Kwon, Insook, Dong-Ok Lee, Elli Kim, and Hyun Young Kim. 2007. “Sexual Violence among Men in the Military in South Korea.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 22 (8): 1024-42.

Authors: Insook Kwon, Dong-Ok Lee, Elli Kim, Hyun Young Kim

Abstract:

This research is about sexual violence among men in the military in South Korea. The authors investigated the frequencies, causes, and circumstances surrounding sexual violence and looked for characteristic features of sexual violence among men in the military in South Korea. They found a high frequency of physical sexual violence and a high level of repetition of sexual violence. Of perpetrators, 81.7% had themselves been victimized. However, the soldiers tended to minimize sexual violence, preferred not to address the issue if possible, criticized or ignored the victims, and did not trust the reporting procedures in place. The authors found that sexual violence was mobilized as a tool in the military to control hierarchy and to create certain masculinities. Regarding the relevance of masculinity, as a salient feature of militaries ingeneral, they believed it might emerge as a common feature across national and cultural differences.

Keywords: conscription, masculinity, military, sexual violence

Topics: Gender, Men, Masculinity/ies, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Sexual Violence, Male Perpetrators, SV against Men Regions: Asia, East Asia Countries: South Korea

Year: 2007