Many feminist scholars have explored the causes and potential solutions of sexual violence against women in conflict, yet some have pointed out the “side effects” of these studies. This article aims to revisit the study of sexual violence against women in conflict by reviewing previous studies on this issue.

I describe the four main points of the studies which considered existing studies on sexual violence against women in conflict. First, claiming that rape is a weapon of war and requiring protection of women without considering the causes of women's vulnerabilities can perpetuate and reinforce gender norms that women should be protected which can contribute to violence against women as a symbol of subjection to an enemy. Second, recent studies have portrayed violence against women in conflict as a characteristic of the “barbaric” third world. Third, examining the causes of the sexual violence against women in conflict, solely focusing on gender, without acknowledging multiple factors could position the violence as inevitable or“natural”. Lastly, focusing on only female suffering can render male victims of sexual violence in conflict invisible.

In order to avoid these problems in the study of sexual violence against women in conflict, I argue that we must analyze power relationships pertaining to gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and global economic structure surrounding survivors and pay careful attention to power dynamics between survivors and researchers.