This research paper delves into the complex realm of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), challenging traditional notions by highlighting the vulnerability of boys and men to such atrocities in conflict and post-conflict settings. Drawing on ethnographic accounts from survivors, NGO workers, and security personnel in the Lake Chad basin, particularly North-eastern Nigeria, the study underscores how long-term terrorist violence exacerbates material imbalances among men and boys, rendering them vulnerable to exploitation and sex trafficking. By examining the motivations behind wartime sexual violence, the paper contributes both conceptually and empirically to understanding the gendered dynamics of armed conflict. It dispels the masculinist notion of male immunity to sex trafficking and sexual violence, emphasizing the importance of effective management of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and prosecution to deter potential offenders. Additionally, the study calls for a reassessment of societal myths surrounding male vulnerability and advocates for destigmatization and comprehensive care for male victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sex trafficking.
2022