State and Non-State Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls During the Northern Irish ‘Troubles’: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In the international context, there is a prevailing perception that conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) did not occur during the ethno–nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland (NI), commonly referred to as the ‘Troubles.’ This systematic review shows that CRSV did occur and was widespread and systemic. The review focused on women and girls of all ages in NI during the Troubles. It excluded CRSV outside NI. We searched PyschInfo, EMBASE, and APA Physcarticles (via OVID); PUBMED, CINAHL Ultimate, Criminal justice abstracts, Medline, peace research abstracts, and women’s study international (via EBSCOHost); the ProQuest social sciences premium collection (25 databases including the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts); the Cochrane Library; Scopus; Web of Science; the first 10 pages of Google Scholar; and specialist websites (notably of Amnesty International, the UK Ministry of Justice, the NI Department of Justice, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR]). Of 4,061 database results, 300 Google Scholar results, and 5,187 ‘reference list checking’ searches, 47 publications met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen publications were identified through database searches, 8 publications through Google Scholar, and 25 publications through reference searches. The publications illuminate the experiences of women and girls in NI who suffered conflict-related sexual, physical, verbal, and psychological harassment, perpetrated by state or non-state actors, in community or criminal justice settings. Available accounts and testimonies show that violence was pervasive, widespread, and created intense fear and vulnerability.