Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
https://doi.org/10.62574/rmpi.v4i1.94
3
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual
violence
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de
violencia sexual
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
julia.rojas@usa.edu.co
juliarojas08@gmail.com
Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4739-1709
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of the Colombian armed conflict on women
victims of sexual violence in terms of the following aspects: interconductual, cognitive, emotional,
somatic, social relations and spiritual. A qualitative approach with hermeneutic orientation and
psychosocial perspective was adopted to address the phenomenon in question. The study
population consisted of 10 women leaders from the municipality of Zona Bananera. For the focus
group data collection, a semi-structured interview was designed based on the CASIC profile. In
the spiritual aspect, faith and religious beliefs have been a fundamental support during the
victimizing events, providing a sense of security and hope. It is crucial to highlight that these
women have experienced a significant process of resignification of the traumatic event and, at
present, play leadership roles as farmers in their territory. Their resilience and empowerment
serve as an example for other women victims.
Descriptors: Sexual abuse; Womens rights; health policy; Gender-based violence. (Source:
UNESCO Thesaurus).
RESUMEN
Se presenta como objetivo analizar la huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas
de violencia sexual en función de las aristas: interconductual, cognoscitivo, emocional, somático,
relaciones sociales y espiritual. Se adoptó un enfoque cualitativo con orientación hermenéutica
y perspectiva psicosocial para abordar el fenómeno en cuestión. El segmento poblacional de
estudio estuvo conformado 10 mujeres lideresas del municipio de Zona Bananera. Para la
recopilación de datos del grupo focal, se diseñó una entrevista semiestructurada basada en el
perfil CASIC. En el aspecto espiritual, la fe y las creencias religiosas han sido un soporte
fundamental durante los hechos victimizantes, proporcionando un sentido de seguridad y
esperanza. Es crucial destacar que estas mujeres han experimentado un proceso significativo
de resignificación del evento traumático y, en la actualidad, desempeñan roles de liderazgo como
campesinas en su territorio. Su resiliencia y empoderamiento sirven como ejemplo para otras
mujeres víctimas.
Descriptores: abuso sexual; derechos de la mujer; política de la salud; violencia de género.
(Fuente: Tesauro UNESCO).
Received: 09/18/2023. Revised: 09/29/2023. Approved: 03/11/2023. Published: 01/01/2024.
Research articles section
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
4
INTRODUCTION
The impact of the armed conflict in Colombia has had an impact on the lives of those who have
suffered it, especially on women who were victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by members of
armed groups. This crude episode, undeniably traumatic, has left deep scars on these women,
who seek to forget this painful chapter. However, the attempt to forget is often unsuccessful,
because sexual violence against women generates individual and community terror, when the
perpetrators become transmitters of violence, even to the point of silencing complaints with death
if necessary (Orduz-Gualdron, et al. 2015), (Rodríguez-Escobar & Rodríguez-Escobar, 2014),
(Chaparro-Moreno, et al. 2022), (Scott-Baker, 2021), (Wilches, 2010), (Venegas-Luque, et al.
2017).
In response to this stark reality, in recent years, the Colombian State has undertaken a process
of care for women sexually abused during the armed conflict. This effort is presented as a
restorative measure to restore the fundamental rights violated during this dark episode in
Colombian history. The psychosocial accompaniment, known as the "Program of Psychosocial
Attention and Integral Health for Victims - PAPSIVI", designed by the Ministry of Health and Social
Protection, stands as an alternative to restore women's right to integral health. This program is
based on Decree 4800 of 2011, Article 164, and is aligned with the provisions of Law 1616 of
2013, highlighting the need to promote mental health from a community social intervention
approach and psychoemotional accompaniment (Aleán, et al. 2022).
In this order, PAPSIVI focuses on repairing the psychosocial damage of the population affected
during the Colombian armed conflict, addressing the individual, family and community levels. In
the present research, it focuses specifically on the population segment made up of women who
were sexually violated during this unfortunate episode (Moreno-Camacho & Molina-Valencia,
2020).
From the above context; the current research takes a phenomenological aspect for the
methodological approach from a subject - subject interaction (Aldana-Zavala, 2019, p. 106), this
being possible, because the author of this manuscript; is a psychologist by profession, who works
with a group of women who were victims of sexual abuse during the Colombian armed conflict.
The relevance of this research lies in the need to know and evaluate the perspectives of these
women who have been psychosocially intervened through PAPSIVI.
The aim is to understand their therapeutic evolution and their social insertion as a restorative
process of their fundamental rights. The social interaction with those affected during the
rehabilitation process contributes to build knowledge from a naturalistic-qualitative research
approach (Ramírez-Elías & Arbesú-García, 2019), thus strengthening the scientific literature on
this topic.
The author, in addition, is a professor at the Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Santa Marta branch,
department of Magdalena - Colombia. The professional and academic perspective generates the
opportunity to integrate social pedagogy (Martínez-Otero-Pérez, 2021), as a transformative
pedagogical approach in the application of PAPSIVI strategies. This not only implies a therapeutic
approach, but also a pedagogical approach to empower women with the social rehabilitation
strategies and techniques applied. The idea is that, by self-replicating the therapeutic experience,
these women will motivate others to join the social rehabilitation process.
The continuous interaction with women leaders addressed in the PAPSIVI accompaniment has
led to the consideration of additional strategies to complement the emotional care. The training of
emotional caregivers or facilitators for psychoemotional accompaniment is proposed, with the
objective of contributing to the formation of work teams in the communities. The idea is to
incorporate volunteers to the restorative work for those who have not yet been able to overcome
the problem of violence generated by the armed conflict.
The researcher's interaction with victims of the armed conflict has led to the systematization of
experiences that imply the development of new strategies to complement the integral recovery
from emotional work. The design of these strategies is proposed in the light of professional
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
5
knowledge and the emotional needs of the affected women. In addition, the aim is to train them
as emotional caregivers or facilitators of strategies, thus promoting care based on the experiences
of those who have gone through the therapeutic path. This approach is a management based on
helping to help, from a cooperative and didactic perspective, with the aim of generating significant
social changes.
Social pedagogy, as a pedagogical approach to social groups, contributes to generate social
education in the population whose fundamental rights have been violated. Although its application
in Colombia represents a challenge, it is crucial to establish greater possibilities for the successful
reintegration of women who were sexually abused during the armed conflict. This pedagogical
approach is combined with the implementation of public policies that seek to psychosocially
rehabilitate the affected population (Torres-Vega, 2019), (Tobías-Loaiza, et al. 2011), (Solórzano-
Benítez & de Armas-Urquiza, 2019), (Wood, 2015).
This social action is developed in the Municipality of Zona Bananera in the Department of
Magdalena, applying PAPSIVI to a group of women victims of sexual violence during the armed
conflict as part of the restorative justice process. The experience has led to the consideration of
managing the incorporation of new therapeutic strategies. This inductive approach provides the
necessary input for the creation of training guidelines oriented by women leaders who are part of
the victim population.
Therefore, the focus is not only on psychosocial rehabilitation, which is urgent and important to
overcome the emotional gaps that hinder healthy personal development, but also on
complementing this action with a social education that transforms the social phenomena present
in the complex Colombian social framework. This leads us to reflect on the importance of
attending to and rehabilitating the women of the Municipality of Zona Bananera in the Department
of Magdalena, a population affected not only emotionally but also economically. It is urgent to
give them the opportunity to grow with dignity in the labor market, aspiring to a reintegration that
reflects a healthy self-esteem.
In accordance with the above, the objective is to analyze the impact of the Colombian armed
conflict on women victims of sexual violence in terms of the following aspects: interbehavioral,
cognitive, emotional, somatic, social relations and spiritual.
METHOD
In the present research, a qualitative approach with hermeneutic orientation and psychosocial
perspective was adopted to address the phenomenon in question. The methodology focused on
the identification of representations and perceptions of groups and individuals related to the topic.
The study population consisted of 10 women leaders from the municipality of Zona Bananera,
who were previously victims of displacement and sexual violence during the armed conflict in
Colombia. It is crucial to highlight that these women have experienced a significant process of
resignification of the traumatic event and, at present, play leadership roles as peasant women in
their territory. Their resilience and empowerment serve as an example for other women victims.
For the focus group data collection, a semi-structured interview was designed based on the
CASIC profile. The CASIC test (Pérez-Molina & Rodríguez-Chinchilla, 2011), from the
perspective of crisis theory, considers physical illness and injury as precipitating events that
individuals and families must skillfully cope with in order to adapt. Adaptation or maladaptation in
coping with such events was found to be a crucial factor in crisis resolution (Baumgardt &
Weinmann, 2022).
Based on crisis theory (Scott-Baker, 2021), the Behavioral, Affective, Somatic and Interpersonal
areas, all integrated in the CASIC profile, were assessed. From the psychosocial perspective and
considering the various dimensions of the human being, we continued with the recording of
information necessary for the analysis of the focus group. This included the analysis of the
Behavioral, Affective, Somatic, Interpersonal and Cognitive dimensions. The behavioral
dimension focused on overt activities and behavior patterns, the affective on crisis-related feelings
and behaviors, the somatic focused on general physical functioning and health status, the
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
6
interpersonal explored the nature of relationships with family, friends, neighbors and peers, and
the cognitive involved the individual's mental representations. In Table 1, the emerging study
categories are presented.
Table 1. Emerging categories of study.
Categories
AFFECTIONS
Unit of analysis of
the results
Relationship between theory
and emerging categories
Interconductual
P.1 “No logro conciliar el
sueño”
P.2 “Tengo cansancio
constante”
P.5 “Soy agresivo”
P.6 “Bebo alcohol”
P.4 “Soy desconfiada”
P.3 “Tengo miedo a la
llegada de la noche y a los
ruidos fuertes”
P.8 “Tengo miedo a
personas motorizadas y
extrañas”
Trastornos del
sueño
Agotamiento y fatiga
Conductas reactivas
Comportamientos
agresivos
Consumo de alcohol
Miedo e
incertidumbre
Fonofobias
Temor y miedo
constante
Incertidumbre
La experiencia de la afectación
y su significado en las
categorías, está representada
por reacciones fisiológicas,
relacionadas con el
agotamiento, el insomnio y la
adquisición de conductas
patógenas como el consumo
de alcohol, la desconfianza y
los miedos.
Cognoscitivo-
curso de vida
P.9 “Soy desconfiada para
establecer relaciones con
parejas”
P.4 “Me siento menos
mujer”
P.10 “Me siento abusada y
pisoteada”
P.9 “Tengo dolor en el
alma”
P.7 “Siento que no valgo
nada”
P.6 “Siento mucha tristeza”
P.1 “Me siento humillada”
P.4 “Me siento fea”
P.3 “No me gusta cómo me
veo”
Deterioro en su
autorreconocimiento
como mujer
Deterioro en su
autoconcepto y
autoestima
Se observa el deterioro en su
autorreconocimiento como
mujer, logrando sumergirlas en
una subvaloración cognitiva,
donde se evidencia su
desconfianza para consolidar
relaciones sexoafectivas,
también se hace presente la
tristeza, de igual manera
transitan en sensaciones como
la humillación.
Afectivo-
emocional
P.7 “Me siento triste”
P.9 “Tengo un dolor
profundo”
P.10 “Me siento humillada”
P.4 “Me siento violentada
en todo”
P.8 “Tengo mucha rabia”
P.7 “Tengo mucha
frustración”
P.2 “Me siento impotente”
P.3 “Siento mucho asco”
P.1 “Siento ganas de no
hacer nada”
Afectaciones en su
regulación
emocional
Depresión
Estados de tristeza
Se evidencia la movilización de
sentimientos donde la crisis es
el factor precipitante y los
comportamientos son guiados
por estados emocionales no
regulados, en este sentido se
hace presente la depresión y
comportamientos emocionales
como la tristeza, la humillación,
la rabia, la frustración, la
impotencia, el asco y las ganas
de no hacer nada.
Física
P.3 “Siento palpitaciones
constantes en el corazón”
P.10 “Siento calores fuertes
constantes”
P.1 “Siento deseos de
tomar bebidas alcohólicas y
fumar”
P.2 “No puedo dormir”
P.9 “No me da hambre”
P.8 “Me da mucha hambre”
P.7 “Ganas de salir
corriendo”
Taquicardias
Alcoholismo
Tabaquismo
Trastornos del
sueño
Trastornos de
alimentación
Ataques de pánico
Ansiedad
Dispareunia
Se observa como el
funcionamiento físico general y
estado de salud se merma, en
este punto su cuerpo se
manifiesta con palpitaciones y
calores súbitos, dificultad para
conciliar el sueño, desordenes
en la ingesta de alimentos,
temblores en el cuerpo, pitidos
en el oído; también aparecen
dolores vaginales. De igual
manera emerge la búsqueda
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Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
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La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
7
P.5 “Siento temblores en el
cuerpo”
P.4 “Siento pitos en el oído”
P.6 “Me dan dolores
vaginales intensos haya
relaciones íntimas o no”
P.5 “Manchas menstruales
constantes”
P.1 “Siento dolores de
cabeza”
P.9 “Siento mareos u
nauseas”
Trastornos
menstruales
Cefaleas
de sensaciones nocivas como
paliativo que logre mitigar las
afectaciones y se inclinan por
el consumo de bebidas
alcohólicas y el tabaquismo.
Vida en
relación
P.6 “Tengo temor frente a
extraños y conocidos”
P.4 “Tengo desconfianza
con familiares y vecinos”
P.2 “Tengo temor que
lleguen y me maten
P.1 “Ya no hay fiestas
patronales”
P.5 “Tengo temor a
sentarme en la puerta de la
casa”
P.9 “Siento temor frente a
extraños
P.2 “No deseo votar en
elecciones”
P.8 “Siento temor a opinar”
P.10 “Tengo miedo a
discutir y estar en
desacuerdo”
Desconfianza hacia
los demás
Reacciones
agresivas
Desesperanza
Pérdida de
confianza en las
instituciones
Se vulnera de manera
significativa las interacciones
con el otro y la construcción del
tejido social, también se
observa la pérdida de
confianza en la
institucionalidad, de acuerdo
con esto, se evidencian
reacciones agresivas, temores
para expresar sus opiniones,
sus manifestaciones culturales
y ejercer su participación en
elecciones populares.
Espiritualidad
P.4.5.7.9 y 10 “Llegue a
dudar de Dios”
P.3.5.8 y 10 “Sentí
abandono de Dios”
Debilitamiento de su
fe
Manifiestan sus dudas frente a
la presencia de un ser superior
que los protege, sintiendo una
ambivalencia entre la perdida
de la fe y su búsqueda, para
hacer frente a los daños
sufridos.
Source: Own elaboration.
Once the interviews and observations were carried out with the women who participated as
cognizable research subjects, contributing with their ideas, experiences, feelings, in the
construction of the results, the first step was to present the draft of the work in order to be validated
from the method of intersubjectivity, applying the technique of content analysis in order to
structure the salient aspects in the understanding of the study phenomenon.
RESULTS
The therapeutic course has diagnosed an unfavorable emotional framework to establish an
assertive self-relationship of the woman with herself, which hinders a healthy process of social
insertion. Recurrent attention is focused on achieving emotional health, which contributes to
women establishing life projects in accordance with a social lifestyle favorable to their integral
growth. The confidence to overcome the harsh adversities experienced during the armed conflict
and the scars in the soul that need to be healed become key elements in this process.
The interviews conducted so far show the traumatic nature of being sexually and emotionally
violated, being treated vilely to the detriment of their human dignity. These encounters are
presented as opportunities to help victims unlearn and learn a new way of life in accordance with
their fundamental rights. The intention is to establish healthy emotional ties with themselves, their
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
8
families and society in general. It is only through this process that a society based on a
coexistence of mutual respect can progressively emerge in Colombia.
According to the categories presented in Table 1, the results derived from the application of the
CASIC are evident, which exposes the affectations derived from the victimizing events, but
highlights the resources in relation to the resilience of the women leaders that comprise it:
At the interbehavioral level, in response to the question "What activities (work, play, leisure,
exercise, eating or sleeping habits, sexual behavior, alcohol, tobacco, aggressive acts) have been
affected by the victimizing events experienced during the armed conflict? They state that after the
victimizing events they have presented sleep disorders that result in constant tiredness, as well
as the presence of aggressive acts that permeate their life in relation, a constant in mention was
the inclination to consume alcoholic beverages as a way to mitigate the pain caused in the context
of the violence. They also mentioned that their dynamics in general were affected since the
presence of the conflict changed their role from wives to widows and forced them to look for work
to survive.
Regarding the question "What do you consider to have been the personal resources used to
overcome these effects? In response to the above, they express that the strength and courage
inherited by their families allowed them to continue moving forward, and they also attribute to the
management of the Christian faith as a factor to maintain hope and continue in their personal
struggle.
Continuing with the interbehavioral area, in response to the question "What behaviors have
increased, strengthened or damaged after the victimizing events experienced during the armed
conflict?", we observe the presence of behaviors related to distrust, fear of the night, loud noises,
the presence of motorized persons and reactive and aggressive actions with respect to their life
in a relationship. It is important to highlight that behaviors related to the search for protection and
that of their family are strengthened, in essence, behaviors emerge in the exploration of their
dignity, of recovering their worth and gaining much value, leadership and empowerment, when
mentioning "we did not know that we could become leaders" they vehemently reiterate "the
conflict forced us to draw strength from where there was none, to become strong women".
In response to the question, what activities or behaviors have they stopped doing that may be
affecting them, taking into account the events they have experienced? They explore answers that
evidence the historical path of their pain, since they start with a nostalgic tone talking about the
meetings in the popular booths where they met with family and neighbors to have fun, dance, talk
and enjoy themselves after long working days. They say that this was one of the activities that
was most affected, since at nightfall it was obligatory to take shelter in the house as a protective
measure. They mention that it was a direct attack on their freedom, where they were deprived of
the possibility of enjoying family and community activities. Continuing with this question, they refer
to the fact that they abandoned the pot rides on the river and the washerwomen could not enjoy
the daily activity of washing clothes in the ports referenced for this purpose.
It should be noted that in terms of the cognitive domain - life course, answers are derived that
highlight the cognitive affectations, but also catapult the degree of resilience shown by these
women leaders. In the light of the above, in the presence of the question, "In your personal history,
that is, throughout your life, what has been most affected after the sexual violence experienced
during the armed conflict?" they state that their greatest affectation has been to initiate a sexual-
affective experience with a man, since the situation of sexual violence generated fears, fears and
undervaluation of their femininity, and they also state that "they feel that their body and soul have
been profaned, leaving a deep pain that is difficult to overcome".
Continuing with the dynamics, in response to the question "How did you consider yourself before
the victimizing event? They express that their personal history is divided into a before and an
after, that before was a world full of many needs to be supplied, but that they were happy in their
territory, they were happy with the little they had, they had fun in a very healthy way, they danced,
sang, laughed, trusted each other, they were clear that they were worth as a woman, as a mother,
as a wife and that beyond the shortages they lived in a territory where their rootedness to the land
made them happy. Regarding the question "How do you consider yourself after the victimizing
event? A silence impregnated with nostalgia is perceived, typical of the memory of situations
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
9
tattooed in their feelings, by virtue of the above, they confess that although there is already a
recovery for what they have lived, they consider themselves fearful, distrustful, abused for being
women, violated, run over, "It is undeniable that they took away the possibility of being completely
happy, but they also opened doors of resilience that turned the pain, sadness and hopelessness
into courage and strength that at this moment makes us empowered leaders of our communities".
Based on the question "What coping strategies have you tried to overcome the effects of the
victimization and what was the result of each one? They explain that in order to overcome the
effects of the victimizing events they took advantage of many possibilities such as love for their
children, the need to not let them die made them strong, they ignored their pain, they used their
power of decision to continue living, added to this, the stigmatization of a society that marked
them as "guerrillas or paramilitaries" gave them strength to demonstrate that they did not belong
to any group that took up arms; that they were only peasant and working women fighting for their
lives. It is important to mention that, in the context of this question, they attribute an important
step to the Christian faith as a coping strategy, where the presence of a supreme being gave
them hope to continue fighting a hard battle for survival. They also explain the great attachment
to life, keeping in mind that no human being can decide on the life of a person, another factor that
they mentioned repeatedly was the certainty that situations are not eternal and that this time of
conflict would pass sooner or later and only the strongest would survive.
As a result of the question "Have you identified in your way of being, important factors to overcome
the effects derived from the victimizing events? To begin with, there are answers that give an
important meaning to leadership, typical of brave women who rise from the ashes and explain
that their upbringing in the context of a family that worked the land with their hands, where the
shortages were many, but happiness was infinite, built in them a personality with great strength,
It formed them to be tolerant, warriors against the adversities of life, endowed them with a capacity
to adapt to sudden changes in their personal history, they also mentioned that being a peasant
woman gives them a great rootedness and love for their territory, which although they abandoned
in search of freedom and life, they had the obligation to return. What is more, they wanted to do
it, to resume their life in the countryside was their ultimate premise.
Diving into the affective-emotional domain, responses are explored in terms of the following
questions: How do you feel about the effects of the sexual violence experienced during the armed
conflict? The initial response, almost in unison, was violent in every sense of the word, expressing
that the pain was so great "that it did not fit in their chests" and the prevalence of a question
hammering in their heads: Why did this happen to me? They speak of a list of emotions that arise
in the context of the event such as: disgust, repulsion, they feel undervalued, they feel a deep
rage, desire for revenge, they feel so much pain that the desire to die arises. It is important to
mention that guilt is pointed out, referring to the possibility that it was they who provoked or incited
the victimizer to abuse them.
Based on the question: Do you freely express the feelings and emotions derived from the
discomfort caused by the thought of the victimizing event or do you keep them hidden? Their
answers delve into their emotions and allow the expression of feelings in a free manner,
corroborating that at present there are possibilities to express the affectations derived from the
victimizing events, but they make it clear that when the events occurred there was absolute
silence, that the state and social abandonment was so evident that the abused women were
subjected to a traumatic silence that re-victimized them. It is pertinent to note that, at this moment,
mentioning the feelings and emotions derived from the discomfort caused by thinking about the
victimizing event is not kept hidden, they are even talked about in open scenarios with the sole
purpose of guaranteeing that they do not happen again. Do you consider that the feelings
expressed are the right ones? Expressions of affirmation are derived, giving relevance to the fact
that to the extent that pain, anger, disgust, guilt are expressed, communicational channels are
opened and it is possible to put into words the emotions experienced as a result of the events,
generating the resignification of the situation in the search for emotional recovery.
To conclude the emotional domain, the following question arises: Have you thought that the way
of expressing your emotions is an important factor in overcoming the effects derived from the
victimizing events? In response to the above, the participating leaders consider that yes, since in
the exercise of emotional expression a validation is granted for the pain suffered and it is possible
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
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to put into words all the discomfort derived from the violent actions, these concrete actions in the
emotional domain constitute in a significant way the progress in their restoration and emotional
care.
The somatic domain links all those physical affections that were affected during the acts of
violence of the armed conflict. In the light of the above, questions were explored within the
framework of the focus group, resulting in the following reflections: Are there physical affectations
associated with what was experienced during the armed conflict? In response to the above, they
consider that there were illnesses that cascaded after the events that took place and that even
claimed the lives of many people. They also explain that the uncertainty about their lives was so
great that it generated deep concerns that directly affected their health in general.
In accordance with the above, the following question arises: What are these physical affectations
derived from what they experienced during the conflict in the functioning of their organism? It is
important to mention that the answers in this sense derived a list of illnesses such as: heart
problems, alterations in blood pressure, the events triggered alcoholism, consumption of
psychoactive substances, depression, presence of nervous tics, ringing in the ears, diabetes,
sleep and eating disorders, and also mentioned that some sexually violated women suffered from
sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer.
Continuing in this line of questioning, the following question arises: What diseases or physical
ailments are frequent and which have increased after the victimizing events? The leaders
consider that the most frequent illnesses are those related to the management of emotions, such
as depression and anxieties, they also mention heart problems and blood pressure, and they also
establish a direct relationship between the victimizing actions and sleep disorders and cervical
cancer.
To conclude the physical domain, a question arises that will highlight the resilient nature of the
population under study, which refers to what resources do they consider to have been used to
overcome the physical affectations as a result of the victimizing events experienced during the
armed conflict? They also mention the presence of an immune system strengthened by the
upbringing and nutrition of their own territory, and they understand the presence of the Christian
faith as an essential support for overcoming ailments and illnesses. They are not unaware of the
presence after the victimizing events of a General Social Security Health System that constitutes
an important resource to support the affected population in their recovery. It is striking when they
vehemently express that the most important thing to overcome the physical affectations was the
great attachment to life.
Defining that life in relationship is an important factor in personal gratification, we then delve into
questions that will allow us to evidence resilient factors and affectations of the population under
study. In response to the above, the question arises: Has the way of relating and why, with other
people (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, institutions) changed after the events experienced
during the armed conflict? The way of relating changed a lot, the fear of dying was so strong that
people distrusted their neighbors, friends and even relatives, they say that during the time of the
armed conflict "one did not know who were the good guys and who were the bad guys", all this
caused relationships to become distant, isolated and often became aggressive, this because they
learned to live in order to protect themselves. It is important to mention that in the family
environment the law of silence emerged, that is to say, people did not talk about what had
happened in order to avoid putting into words what had happened. With respect to the institutions,
relations also changed. Before, there was very little presence of officials in the affected territories,
but the same violence forced the victims to demand the guarantee of their rights. This is why, at
present, when we turn to the state system in search of benefits and rights, we know how to
demand what we are entitled to, although we are aware that we do not achieve full recognition of
what we are entitled to, at least we make ourselves heard.
This line of questioning is explored in the following: Have you used new ways to relate to others
(friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, institutions) what have you done? The leaders express
that the evolution in terms of the recovery of their life in relationship, has allowed them to search
for healthy dynamics to relate, that, although they maintain some fears derived from the situation
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
11
of violence, at this moment communication possibilities open up with the members of the family,
where harmonious coexistence takes on an important value, breaking down the silences.
As for relationships with friends and neighbors, new ways of relating are born through meetings
in popular weekend clubs, meetings are established around sports fields. It is worth mentioning
that work environments are also spaces that allow meeting in rest areas. It is significantly valued
that the resilience shown has allowed us to climb socially and turns us into leaders who contribute
to the social fabric as new forms of relationship and catapults actions to aspire to public office and
legislatures through the popular vote. Consequently, these ways of relating with friends, family,
neighbors, co-workers and institutions have been an extremely important factor in overcoming
the effects of the victimizing events. In order to better illustrate the reflections derived from the
question, the construction of the social fabric is made visible through the personal resources used
to give a meaning to peace building and coexistence within the framework of differences.
In the meantime, the need arises to add an inherent aspect of the human being, which configures
their beliefs related to faith and spirituality. Based on this, the following question is asked: Taking
into account your faith and religious beliefs, do you consider that they were a significant support
during the victimizing events that occurred and why? In response to this question, the women
leaders give answers that show their emotionality in the certainty that their faith was an important
pillar in overcoming the effects of the victimizing events. They state that, in such a hard moment
in their personal history, the only thing they were sure of was the presence of a supreme being
who never abandoned them and that thanks to that presence outside the earthly they did not lose
heart, and they were sure that the bad things would pass and that they would be all right.
CONCLUSIONS
The study has explored the in-depth traces in the various dimensions of the affectations suffered
by a group of women leaders in the municipality of Zona Bananera as a consequence of the
armed conflict in Colombia:
At the interbehavioral level, significant impacts have been identified in various areas of their lives,
highlighting sleep disorders, aggressive acts and recourse to alcohol consumption as ways to
mitigate the pain caused by violence.
In response to such adversities, these women have demonstrated remarkable resilience and
empowerment, becoming leaders in their communities. They have found personal resources in
the strength inherited from their families, Christian faith and the need to care for their children. In
addition, they have strengthened behaviors related to seeking protection and exploring their
dignity, leadership and empowerment.
In the cognitive sphere, the effects are manifested in the difficulties in establishing sex-affective
experiences and in the deep imprint left by sexual violence. The personal history of these women
is divided into a "before" and an "after", marked by the loss of innocence, constant fear and the
struggle to overcome hopelessness.
On the emotional level, sexual violence has left deep scars, generating emotions such as disgust,
revulsion, anger and sadness. The free expression of these feelings has become a crucial factor
for emotional recovery and the resignification of their experiences.
On the somatic level, physical affectations manifest themselves in a variety of illnesses, from
heart problems to sleep disorders and cancer. However, coping strategies include adaptation to
natural resources, Christian faith and a strong attachment to life.
In terms of social relationships, the armed conflict has transformed the way these women relate
to each other, marking an era of distrust and estrangement. Despite this, new ways of relating
have emerged, focused on harmonious coexistence and the construction of the social fabric.
In the spiritual aspect, faith and religious beliefs have been a fundamental support during the
victimizing events, providing a sense of security and hope.
As a whole, these women leaders have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for adaptation and
resilience, facing adversity with courage and becoming a reference of strength for other women
Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 3-14, 2024
La huella del conflicto armado colombiano en mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual
The footprint of the Colombian armed conflict on women victims of sexual violence
Julia Rojas-Rodríguez
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victims. Their testimony highlights the importance of comprehensively addressing the
interbehavioral, cognitive, emotional, somatic and social dimensions in the analysis of the effects
of the Colombian armed conflict, as it is necessary to continue working to erase the unwanted
traces left by such an aberrant episode in Colombia's history.
FINANCING
Non-monetary
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There is no conflict of interest with persons or institutions related to the research.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To the women leaders of the municipality of Zona Bananera, victims of displacement and sexual
violence during the armed conflict in Colombia.
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