This article argues that occupation authorities deny that there are female detainees to begin with, and there is a different stigma attached to the arrest and detention of Iraqi women than their male counterparts. The 'silence' surrounding Iraqi female detainees also stems from families of female detainees who may fear revenge as well as 'the stigma of having a female relative in prison, the thought of which conjures up rape and unwanted pregnancy.' (2) Despite the denial and silence surrounding Iraqi female detainees, there is growing evidence that female detainees exist and that they have been subjected to torture, abuse - including rape and sexual abuse, maltreatment, and unhealthy conditions while in detention. The article also asserts that one of the most widespread reasons of detention of Iraqi women 'is to be used as bargaining chips to force their male relatives to surrender to authorities.'
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