Spiritual security: an explanatory framework for conflict-related sexual violence against men

Emeka Thaddues Njoku; Isaac Dery

doi:10.1093/ia/iiab175

Spiritual security: an explanatory framework for conflict-related sexual violence against men

Emeka Thaddues Njoku, Isaac Dery

International Development

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Abstract

While there is a growing interest in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against men, conceptual understanding and empirical knowledge are still inadequate. The notion of spiritual security is introduced in this article as an explanatory variable in CRSV, using survivors' discursive views of sexual violence victimizations in Nigeria's north-eastern region. The CRSV of males, it is argued, may also be understood as a ritual or spiritual activity carried out for bodily protection, financial prosperity, or socio-political ascendency. The survivors' impressions of CRSV's spiritual undertones are not unrelated to the heteronormative and collectively homophobic culture in their society, in which violent same-sex relations are considered so perverse and meaningful only if they are conceived as ‘evil or devilish practices’. Spiritual beliefs and practices, on the other hand, determine much of the social reality of many people in various parts of the world, and they are regarded as potent on security issues ranging from physical protection to wealth creation and socio-political advancement. This study adds to the continuing discussion on the reasons behind CRSV against men.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1785–1803
Journal	International Affairs
Volume	97
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiab175
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This article forms part of a larger project on ‘Masculinity, male bodies and victimhood in the context of counter-terrorism in north-eastern Nigeria’, funded by the American Council of Learned Societies/African Humanities Program's postdoctoral fellowship. The project was hosted at the Department of Political Science, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Our sincere appreciation goes to the current Head of Department, Remi E. Aiyede, as well as Adigun Agbaje, Olajide Akanji, Jeremiah Arowosegbe and other members of staff for their support. We are grateful to Jonathan Fisher, Osisioma B. C Nwolise, Kudus Adebayo, Tosin Orimolade, Martin Ihembe and the anonymous peer reviewers for their helpful comments. Special thanks to Idris Mohammed and Joshua Akintayo for their research assistance.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Institute of International Affairs.

Keywords

International Relations Theory
International Governance
Law and Ethics
Conflict
Security
Defence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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abstract = "While there is a growing interest in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against men, conceptual understanding and empirical knowledge are still inadequate. The notion of spiritual security is introduced in this article as an explanatory variable in CRSV, using survivors' discursive views of sexual violence victimizations in Nigeria's north-eastern region. The CRSV of males, it is argued, may also be understood as a ritual or spiritual activity carried out for bodily protection, financial prosperity, or socio-political ascendency. The survivors' impressions of CRSV's spiritual undertones are not unrelated to the heteronormative and collectively homophobic culture in their society, in which violent same-sex relations are considered so perverse and meaningful only if they are conceived as {\textquoteleft}evil or devilish practices{\textquoteright}. Spiritual beliefs and practices, on the other hand, determine much of the social reality of many people in various parts of the world, and they are regarded as potent on security issues ranging from physical protection to wealth creation and socio-political advancement. This study adds to the continuing discussion on the reasons behind CRSV against men.",

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Spiritual security: an explanatory framework for conflict-related sexual violence against men

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Cite this