Most Soldiers Cleared In D.R. Congo Mass Rape Trial

The verdict is in for the largest rape trial ever held in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of the 39 soldiers accused of raping at least 135 women and girls, two were convicted and 13 were cleared. The remaining men were convicted of theft.

According to the United Nations, both the government and rebel groups have long used rape and sexual violence as weapons of war. A report in April released by the U.N. human rights office in Congo estimates that as many as 46 women are raped every hour in the DRC.

Elaisha Stokes has been covering the trial for GlobalPost and joins Here & Now's Robin Young with details.