60. Compensation
Compensation must be granted for all damages that can be quantified from an economic perspective, such
as psychological or physical damages, unwanted pregnancies, job loss, loss of income or potential income,
loss of social services and learning opportunities, lost educational opportunities, and compensation for
legal, medical and social costs. When this compensation is evaluated, States must ensure that the unpaid
domestic labour of women and girls is evaluated at its fair value.
61. Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation must include medical, psychological, legal and social care for the victims. In situations of
conflict and crisis, the psychological rehabilitation of the victims may require community therapy and
awareness-raising activities for members of their communities, with a view to reducing the stigmatization of
victims, encouraging a sense of trust and promoting peaceful coexistence. Providing training to members
of the community to lead this type of activity will make it possible to guarantee long-lasting reparation.
Income-generating and community solidarity initiatives can promote the social rehabilitation of victims.
62. Satisfaction
Satisfaction is intended to promote the recognition of the damages undergone by the victims of sexual
violence. This type of reparation can include verification that the acts of sexual violence took place; full
and public disclosure of the truth inasmuch as this does not cause new injury to the victims, especially in
terms of stigmatization, and does not threaten the safety or interests of the victims and the witnesses; an
official declaration or a court decision that restores the rights of the victims; public apologies from the
perpetrators of the violence, especially acknowledgement of the facts and acceptance of responsibility;
administrative and court-ordered sanctions against the perpetrators; commemorations and homages to
the victims.
63. Guarantees of non-repetition
Guarantees of non-repetition of the violations, which can also contribute to prevention. This form of
reparation can include the following:
• Effective control of armed and security forces by civil authorities and command structures in order to
prevent the members of these forces from perpetrating sexual violence;
• Education on human rights, including women’s rights, in all sectors of society, and training on this topic
for those responsible for applying laws and for the personnel of armed and security forces;
• Encouraging compliance with codes of conduct and ethical standards, according to international norms
on combating sexual violence;
• Reform of discriminatory laws that contribute to or permit the perpetuation of sexual violence.
Explanatory Notes: Maputo Protocol, Article 25; ACHPR, Resolution on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Women
and Girls Victims of Sexual Violence (2007); SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, Article 32 (2008); Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, Article 8; ICCPR, Article 2 (3); Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Article 14; Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 39 (2009); General Assembly
of the United Nations, Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross
Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, A/RES/60/147 (2005);
General Assembly of the United Nations, Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power,
par. 13, A/RES/40/34 (1985); United Nations Security Council, Resolutions on women, peace and security, S/RES/1325
(2000), S/RES/1820 (2008), S/RES/1888 (2009), S/RES/1889 (2009), S/RES/1960 (2010), S/RES/2106 (2013), S/RES/2122
(2013), S/RES/2242 (2015); Guidance note of the United Nations Secretary General, Reparations for Conflict-Related Sexual
Violence (2014); Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Articles 75 and 79; Report of the United Nations Special
Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, A/HRC/14/22, par. 44 (2010); Nairobi Declaration
on Women’s and Girls’ Right to a Remedy and Reparation (2007).
GUIDELINES ON COMBATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE
AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN AFRICA
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