Sexual violence against women: psycho-juridical approach.

In December 1982, the Peruvian government declared emergency zones in the country, giving control to the armed forces who applied operational plans aimed at eliminating guerrilla violence. The report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission conlcudes there is evidence that sexual violence was a generalized practice quietly tolerated by the security forces, and in some cases, openly permitted by immediate superiors. The violence took place during military operations, but also certain army and police facilities. This practice may have taken place in a systematic way, linked with the repression of guerrilla violence, in certain provinces of the regions of Ayacucho, Huancavelica and Apurímac. The same report argues "one of the most affected groups in a context of armed conflict is women, who suffer not only the general effects of this type of situation, but also numerous violations of their rights by the mere fact that they are women".