In the former Yugoslavia, there appears to have been very little, if any, difference between the ethnic groups in the reluctance to report rape. The overall reluctance to report rape is aggravated by war, especially if the perpetrators are soldiers and also where there is a general condition of chaos and a breakdown in law and order. The victims may have little confidence in finding justice. The strong fear of reprisal during wartime adds to the silencing of victims. The perpetrators have a strong belief that they can get away with their crimes.
Men are also subject to sexual assault.
They are forced to rape women and to perform sex acts on guards or each other. They have also been subjected to castration, circumcision or other sexual mutilation. May 1994 PART 3 OF 3 1. The reports contained in the Commission's database identify close to 800 victims by name or number. An additional 1,673 victims are referred to, but not named in reports of victims who indicate that they have witnessed or know of other similar victims.