SOCIAL STATUS, STIGMATIZATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL INVISIBILITY OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES RESULTING FROM THE CRIME OF WARTIME RAPE

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of sexual violence during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on the status and rights of rape victims. It analyzes the causes, consequences, and forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war, and highlights the numerous obstacles victims face in seeking justice and adequate reparations. Special emphasis is placed on the legal framework and institutional response, including domestic legislation, international standards, and the work of non-governmental organizations. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the paper examines the psychological, social, and legal aspects of trauma, as well as the societal stigmatization of surviving women. The aim of the paper is to emphasize the need for a systematic approach in recognizing and protecting the rights of victims of wartime sexual violence and to propose concrete recommendations for improving the legislative and institutional response.