Asia Social Forum, Hyderabad, India, January 2-7-2003... Statement by Shan Women?s Action Network (SWAN)... "Since the Burmese Army troops began coming into Shan State, they have been abusing the local populations. Women have always been easy targets, and have been vulnerable to sexual violence. Sexual violence serves the multiple purposes of not only terrorizing local communities onto submission, but also flaunting the power of the dominant troops over the enemy?s women, and thereby humiliating and demoralizing resistance forces. It also serves as a ?reward” to troops for fighting..."