Rape and sexual violence during armed conflict are not a new phenomenon, these crimes have existed throughout history. However, historically they were viewed as an inevitable consequence of war with little, if any repercussions. Since the 1990s however rape has become a ‘passion’ of international law and legal scholars, with a focus on ending impunity. The creation of internationalised tribunals has meant that rape has been prosecuted as a crime against humanity, a tool of genocide, and as a war crime. While the prosecution of these crimes mark a significant step forward,