Based on feminist international relations and strategic rape theory, this research aims to examine the response based on legal frameworks to cases of sexual violence and to assess their effectiveness in addressing institutionalized sexual violence in conflict. The cases that have been analysed are the comfort women in Japan, the Bosnian war rape camps and sexual slavery in ISIS. A comparative historical analysis reveals that legal frameworks are often not effectively used to protect victims during conflicts and when used are only used for prosecution post-conflict. The findings suggest that international frameworks need to be looked at again, to better protect victims and to stop institutionalized violence before it happens.