The systematic and widespread incidence of rape  It should be noted that because of the stigma attached to rape

The systematic and widespread incidence of rape

It should be noted that because of the stigma attached to rape, many women do not report incidents of sexual violence. Furthermore, since much of the information about human rights abuses in Shan State is gained from refugees arriving at the Thai-Burma border, news of many incidents may not have reached SHRF. Therefore the figures in this report are likely to be far lower than the actual figures. 

The incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence documented in this report over the past six years can be summarized as follows:

It can be seen that the number of incidents of rape recorded in 2001, and the numbers of girls and women raped, are even higher than in recent years. This indicates that, despite the claims of the regime that "peace" has now been restored to Shan State, their troops are continuing to commit human rights violations against civilian populations at a higher rate than ever. 

It is also significant that troops from a total of fifty-two Burmese army battalions were involved in the incidents of rape documented for this report (see Appendix 4). This is compelling evidence that the practice of rape is accepted throughout the ranks of the Burmese military.