Judith Armatta has written numerous articles on war and violence. Click the links below to read articles she has written during the last
decade.
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Ending Sexual Violence Through
Transformative Justice Links to the The Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies (IJPS) website and an Acrobat PDF file
of the document.
For
a plain text version of this document please click the link.
Abstract
Sexual violence is used to maintain what Dr. Riane Eisler (1990) conceptualizes as the dominator model
of society. The early days of the feminist anti-violence movement focused on changing the dominator model,
but, in part, this focus was co-opted by seeking criminal justice solutions, contributing to punitive
responses and mass incarceration that have been ineffective in ending sexual violence. The racist history
of the rape charge and its disproportionate effect on people of color, an effect that continues today.
Legislators have passed draconian laws that uniquely apply to anyone convicted of a sex offense, the
definition of which has been broadened to encompass harmless behavior. A separate legal regime for sex
offenders that isolates them from society and marks them for life as monsters obfuscates the causes of
sexual violence and contributes to the problem. The feminist anti-violence movement remains influential,
though little recognized, in today’s efforts to respond to sexual violence through restorative justice
and transformative justice. A number of groups have adopted the RJ/TJ model, in particular women of color.
The article provides examples of successful and unsuccessful implementation of RJ/TJ and discusses
impediments to wider adoption of this approach. RJ/TJ is a promising alternative to the current criminal
justice response to sexual assault, one that will bring us closer to a partnership culture.
Historical Revelations from the Milošević Trial
(Acrobat PDF format)
Controversy over Serbia’s role in the decade of wars in the former Yugoslavia continues.
The trial of Slobodan Milošević unearthed significant new material in documents and testimony,
despite the trials premature end with Milošvić’s death. While there was no legal resolution,
evidence revealed at trial provides a rich resource for historians to further examine some of
the major controversies arising from the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the decade of wars
that ensued.
The War Crimes Trial of Thomas Lubanga
Congolese warlord, Thomas Lubanga, is on trial at the permanent
International Criminal Court for conscripting, recruiting, and using child
soldiers during the 2002-2003 conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Armatta’s articles for the Open Society Justice Initiative on the closing
days of the trial are available at: www.lubangatrial.org.
The War Crimes Trial of Charles Taylor
Former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, is on trial at the Special Court
for Sierra Leone for directing, encouraging or assisting in a criminal plan
to seize control of the government of Sierra Leone – and its resources,
reportedly including the highest quality natural diamonds in the world, --
by terrorizing the civilian population through beatings, property
destruction, looting, rape, sexual slavery, forced labor, and killings.
Armatta’s articles for the Open Society Justice Initiative on the closing
days of the trial are available at: www.charlestaylortrial.org.
The
Milošević Trial, International Justice
This collection includes articles, speeches and editorials that challenge us
to reflect on International Courts and Justice and the implications for the
victims and survivors of war.
Violence Against Women and Children
Spanning three decades, Judith Armatta's work to end
violence against women and children informs all her writing
and activism. In this short list of articles, she
deals with interpersonal violence, impacts on children and
in the course of war.
Kosova, Montenegro, Serbia
Finally, writing from her experiences in the Balkans, Armatta discusses
victimization and the rule of law during a time of war.