Thein Nu, a woman who was gang-raped by Myanmar soldiers, went up against the powerful military in the months-long fight for justice, which paid off with a rare legal victory.

The three rapists have been jailed for 20 years with hard labour, a sentence she hopes will give other sexual assault survivors the courage to speak up against the military.

The crime was committed in June in northern Rakhine state — the site of a nearly two-year battle between the military and the Arakan Army, which is fighting for more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population.

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“Many women like me have already endured the same thing,” Thein Nu, who has been given a pseudonym to protect her identity, told AFP.

“If I didn’t reveal this, it could lead to many more in Rakhine (being abused).”

During the investigation, the military said that the victim is making up allegations. Her husband also refused to speak up for her.

“I am both happy and sad,” she said, still in disbelief that the military tribunal ruled in her favour.

“I don’t entirely believe this verdict will stop the rape and abuse against women in conflict areas because they (the military) are unreliable people with two faces,” she added.

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said it was not yet clear whether the army was ready to tackle alleged atrocities committed by its rank and file.

In the past, the military’s approach has been to deny rape claims outright, and in some cases, soldiers file defamation suits against the victim, he said.

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“It’s going to require a lot more than just one case to convince us that some kind of turn has been reached,” he told AFP, adding that the military tribunal was held behind closed doors.

With the three rapists put away, Thein Nu wants the fourth senior officer to face justice as well.

Since the sentences were handed down, more rape victims have come forward to seek legal help, according to Nyo Aye, chairwoman of the Arakan Women Network, which provided legal aid, counselling and shelter to Thein Nu and her family.

“Currently, we are keeping our hope… for similar cases that happened in other ethnic areas around the country,” Nyo Aye said.

“Be like me — be brave and courageous,” she said.