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Conflict-related Sexual Violence and Rebel Group Fragmentation

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  • Robert Ulrich Nagel
  • Austin C. Doctor

Abstract

To what extent does sexual violence influence rebel group fragmentation? A substantial body of research explores wartime rape as a cohesion-building mechanism following forced recruitment. However, the relationship between sexual violence and broader organizational structural integrity has not been systematically tested. Our study on the effects of sexual violence on rebel group fragmentation provides this test. We argue that sexual violence increases cohesion at the battalion level but increases the risk of fragmentation of the broader organization because lieutenants are more likely to split from organizations if they are confident that their subordinate battalions are cohesive and will follow them. We test this argument on a global sample of 105 rebel organizations active between 1989 and 2014. The results provide robust support for the argument showing sexual violence increases the probability of fragmentation by a factor of six. This presents a crucial contribution to our understanding of sexual violence and rebel group fragmentation.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Ulrich Nagel & Austin C. Doctor, 2020. "Conflict-related Sexual Violence and Rebel Group Fragmentation," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(7-8), pages 1226-1253, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:64:y:2020:i:7-8:p:1226-1253
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002719899443
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cunningham, Kathleen Gallagher, 2011. "Divide and Conquer or Divide and Concede: How Do States Respond to Internally Divided Separatists?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 105(2), pages 275-297, May.
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    1. Tiffany D Barnes & Jesse C Johnson & Anne Marie McAtee & Gargi Vyas, 2025. "Women’s economic rights and sexual violence in civil conflict," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 62(6), pages 1646-1662, November.
    2. Maleke Fourati & Victoire Girard & Jeremy Laurent-Lucchetti, 2021. "Sexual violence as a weapon of war," NOVAFRICA Working Paper Series wp2103, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics, NOVAFRICA.
    3. Lindsey A Goldberg, 2025. "Women’s roles and reproductive violence within armed rebellions," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 62(6), pages 1611-1628, November.
    4. Belén González & Richard Traunmüller, 2024. "The political consequences of wartime sexual violence: Evidence from a list experiment," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 61(6), pages 1035-1050, November.

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