Congolese Soldier Sentenced to Prison for Rape

In 2013, Bolingo Katusi, a soldier in the Congolese military, broke into the house of two women in Mukuloka,  threatened them with his rifle and raped them. With the support of the two victims and NGOs, the soldier was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay his victims $20,000 each.

The question remains of whether and how this will happen in reality. As a result, the recognition provided as a result of the reparation orders may be insufficient for victims, despite the sentencing measure. At the same time, symbolic acknowledgment of the suffering of the victims is evident, which may also help them in their healing process.

While in the region of Eastern Congo the use of rape as weapon of war is common, the prosecution of the crime is not.

Source: Trial International