被禁止的性行為與性暴力

性暴力: 強姦: 有關的歷史記載 3

在許多國家，持續數十年的法律改革為強姦的受害人贏得了較為有利的公平對待，現在也為他們提供了更為有效的法律保護。為了證明他們沒有同意發生性行為，他們不再必須在法庭上證實他們“反抗到了最大的限度”。此外，法律本身現在常常採取性別中立的解說形式，諸如運用於兩性的術語“性攻擊（sexual assault）”，並且具有另外涵蓋所有性暴力形式的法律有利條款，而並不僅僅只有強制性交的法律條款。

1998年採取了另一個非常重要的舉措，當時，聯合國盧旺達刑事特別法庭判決性暴力為一項戰爭罪行。自從有史料記載以來，強姦就已經是戰爭的手段，而且這在《聖經》裏也有所提到。與別的戰爭手段比較更為惡劣的是，強姦差不多是一種行得通的用來達到羞辱敵人的目的的手段，尤其是在敵國的被強姦婦女可能受孕和被迫生養多餘的孩子的情況下，則更是一種羞辱的有效手段。古代的波斯、希臘和羅馬軍隊按照慣例會強姦他們所佔領的城市裏的婦女和年輕男子。不過，在基督教盛行的中世紀，就頒佈了第一條軍規，開始禁止和懲罰這種行為。然而，正如每一位歷史學學者，甚至每一位報紙讀者所瞭解的一樣，常常隨著軍事長官的一聲令下，強姦一直發生在許許多多的戰爭之中直至今日。在這種類型的暴力被有效置於控制之下之前，它也許要持續許久，不過盧旺達特別法庭至少開創了一個制止這類暴力的成功在望的判例。

強姦與戰爭

上圖顯示特洛伊之戰中的一段情節：埃傑克斯（Ajax）為了強姦卡珊德拉（Cassandra），把她拖出了寺廟。（古希臘花瓶畫，西元前4世紀。）

Rape and Warfare
The picture shows an episode from the Trojan War: Ajax drags Cassandra out of the temple in order to rape her. (Ancient Greek vase painting, 4th century BC)

Prohibited Sexual Behavior and Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence: Rape: Historical Notes 3

In many countries the law reforms of the last few decades have resulted in greater fairness and now offer more protection to the victims of rape. They no longer have to prove in court that they “resisted to the utmost” in order to prove their lack of consent. Furthermore, the laws themselves now often use gender-neutral definitions, such as “sexual assault” which apply to both sexes and have the additional advantage of including all forms of sexual violence, not only forcible coitus.
Another, very important step was taken in 1998, when the United Nations Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda made sexual violence a war crime. Rape has been an instrument of war since the dawn of history, and as such it is already mentioned in the Bible. More than anything else, it serves the purpose of humiliating the enemy as much as possible, especially if the women can be impregnated and forced to bear the unwanted children. The ancient Persian, Greek and Roman armies routinely raped women and young men in the cities they conquered. In the Christian Middle Ages, however, the first military codes began to prohibit and punish such conduct. Nevertheless, as every student of history and indeed every newspaper reader knows, it has continued in many wars until today, often with the encouragement of military leaders. It may be a long time before this kind of violence is effectively brought under control, but the Rwanda tribunal has at least set a promising precedent.