February 20, 2014: A conversation with the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict

Speaking at USC on February 20, Zainab Hawa Banguara, the United Nations Undersecretary-General and Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said that sexual assault is a deliberate tactic used to demoralize not only women – its most frequent targets – but also destroy families and tear apart communities.

“When rape is used as a weapon of war, it is not by accident, and it is as devastating as any bullet and as destructive as any bomb,” she said.

USC Shoah Foundation Executive Director Stephen Smith and United Nations News and Media Executive Producer Andi Gitow moderated the conversation.