ABC News reports:
A Human Rights Watch report based on interviews with 106 North Koreans who have left the country found the country’s extremely patriarchal society means many women feel powerless to demand accountability over sexual violence, many are also ashamed of being abused, and some choose to keep silent because of flimsy law enforcement and support systems.
The report details sexual abuse by men in official positions of power, such as prison guards, police officers, prosecutors, soldiers and market supervisors.
“Interviewees told us that when a guard or police officer ‘picks’ a woman, she has no choice but to comply with any demands he makes, whether for sex, money, or other favours,” the report said.
“Women in custody have little choice should they attempt to refuse or complain afterward, and risk sexual violence, longer periods in detention, beatings, forced labour, or increased scrutiny while conducting market activities.”
A pervasive social stigma keeps victims silent, the report said, adding that all of the interviewees described “widespread impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence and lack of justice for survivors.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-01/north-korea-rape-and-sexual-abuse-widely-tolerated-says-report/10457794?
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