The Inexistent Collective Memory about the Soviet Mass Rapes and the Potential Intergenerational Consequences

At the end of WWII during the advance of the Red Army through the Eastern territories to Berlin and the occupation between 1945 and 1947 approx. 1.9 million women and girls have been raped in Germany and Eastern territories. The estimations do not include victims in the territories of today’s Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. Among the victims were not only German women, but Polish, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Austrian Jewish women, and even Soviet women. Thus, the Soviet mass rapes is likely the largest attack against women that we so far know of in history and it is largely unknown by the general public and has not been claimed by feminist movements to be condemned or received justice. Moreover, speaking up about these mass rapes or denouncing them sparks controversy, especially among feminist scholars. While diverse feminist perspectives are crucial to improve the lives of all women, some of the considerations of the Soviet mass rapes use arguments, perspectives and strategies that align with those who consider their privileges at stake. If we want to advance toward the common goal of ending VAW, we need to understand how the debates are played out and be aware of the effects they have. The paper analyzes the public debate about the Soviet mass rapes for the arguments, perspectives and strategies used by feminist scholars and society at large to provide insight on distinguishing a “feminist” critique that prevents us from advancing towards the goal of ending VAW from a constructive critique that helps feminist movements to progress. This is not only crucial to feminism but to society at large, as research on the intergenerational consequences of these mass rapes have evidenced that the silencing contributed to negative outcomes for victims as well as their children.