Biographical note
With an interest in conflict and dispute resolution, in 2011 Judith visited the Central African Republic, where she talked with local women about their experiences in reporting and dealing with sexual violence through both formal and informal justice processes.
“I got a grasp of the difficulties that women who have experienced sexual violence face when seeking justice in settings where these crimes are associated with a severe stigma and shame.”
During her studies in the Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution Judith was introduced to a particular “Transitional Justice” process that was established in Rwanda, called gacaca, to deal with crimes committed during the Genocide against the Tutsi, including sexual violence.
“My interest in gacaca and in justice for women who survived sexual violence formed the basis of my PhD research”.
Research topic
A critical analysis of the needs of female survivors of sexual violence and their experiences with transitional justice – the case of Rwandan gacaca
Research outline
My research investigates the needs of female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and explores the women’s experiences with transitional justice processes dealing with the crimes. In 2015/16 I interviewed 23 Rwandan women to explore their motivations to participate in gacaca and their experiences with the process. The findings are meant to provide information for initiatives to support Rwandan women beyond gacaca and for transitional justice measures dealing with sexual violence in other post-conflict settings.
Research questions
Primary research questions seek to answer the following:
- What were the needs, motivations and expectations of female survivors of sexual violence who raised their case before gacaca in relation to their participation in the process?
- Which needs, motivations and expectations did gacaca meet/ address in the view of the interviewed women, which ones were not met/ addressed?
- What were the experiences of the female survivors of SV with the gacaca process they participated in?
- How do the experiences of the female survivors of sexual violence who participated in gacaca compare with the intentions of the legislation, policies and procedures that established the process and goals of gacaca?
Supervisory team
Professor Chris Cunneen
Associate Professor Sam Hardy
Dr Wendy Lambourne (University of Sydney)
Research outputs
- Inform Rwandan initiatives to support female survivors of sexual violence beyond gacaca
- Inform policies and procedures for survivors and people engaged in the quest for justice for sexual violence
- Contribute to the development of the construct ‘victims’ justice needs/interests’ as introduced by Kathleen Daly
- Develop best practice recommendations as to how the needs of female survivors of sexual violence can be considered in transitional justice processes (from a survivor’s perspective)
- Enable a more meaningful comparison of justice processes dealing with sexual violence
- Improve the options for female survivors of sexual violence to receive justice, support relating to justice processes, as well as other support addressing their needs.
Research grants
Teaching and Learning Development Grant, James Cook University, in collaboration with Dr Samantha Hardy (2012 & 2013)
Student Services and Amenities Fees Grant, James Cook University, in collaboration with Dr Samantha Hardy (2013)
Conference papers
Herrmann, J. (2012). Traditional versus formal conflict resolution in the Central African Republic. Paper presented at the National Annual Conference IAMA.
Herrmann, J. (2013). Managing conflict in the higher degree research student/supervisor relationship. Paper presented at the HDR Supervision Conference, Swinburne University, Melbourne.
Herrmann, J., Lawson, R., Hardy, S., & Holland, C. (2013). Postgraduate peace-building: Conflict as a tool for learning. Paper presented at the 6th Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) Summit, Manila, Philippines.
Publications
Herrmann, J. (2012). A comparison of conflict coaching and mediation as conflict resolution processes in the workplace. Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, 23(1), 43-51.
Herrmann, J. (2012). A critical analysis of the transitional justice measures incorporated by Rwandan gacaca and their effectiveness. James Cook University Law Review, 19, 90-112.
Herrmann, J., & Holland, C. (2016). Co-creating mediation models to meet cultural needs: Two trainers' perspectives. Australian Dispute Resolution Research Network Blog, September.
Herrmann, J., & Holland, C. (2017). Co-creating mediation models: Adapting mediation practices when working across cultures. Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, 28(1), 43-50.
Herrmann, J. (2017). Experiences, challenges, and lessons learned — Interviewing Rwandan survivors of sexual violence. Griffith Journal of Law & Human Dignity, 5(1), 165-188.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2794-7790
Teaching experience
- Lecturer in the Conflict Management and Resolution program since 2012, teaching the subjects LB5525 Conflict Analysis and LB5526 Conflict Management and Engagement
- Director of JCU’s Conflict Management and Resolution program contributing to the course design and development of all subjects.