Libyan woman Eman al-Obeidy walked into a hotel in Tripoli, Libya, populated by foreign journalists in order to let the world know that Col. Moammar Qaddafi’s military forces had beaten and raped her. What followed was a violent scuffle, as al-Obeidy was forcibly removed by Qaddafi’s men, despite the protests and protections of international media. It was a violent and graphic reminder that women and girls often face specific and harrowing abuse in times of war and conflict.

According to reports, al-Obeidy burst into the breakfast room  at the Rixos Hotel, where journalists had stayed at…