UNICEF Reports Alarming Rise in Sexual Violence Against Children in Sudan
UNICEF has reported over 200 cases of reported sexual violence against children in Sudan since 2024, with many victims being infants. The majority of survivors are girls, and the report indicates widespread violence occurring during conflicts and daily activities. Many survivors avoid reporting due to societal stigma and fear, highlighting the urgent need for support and intervention to combat these atrocities.
UNICEF has reported that over 200 children, including infants, have been victims of rape since the onset of the war in Sudan, which began in April 2023. The agency’s latest report highlights 221 rape cases involving children for the year 2024 alone, with 66 percent of the survivors being female. Alarmingly, 16 of these survivors are under the age of five, four of whom are only one year old.
The report additionally features 77 cases of sexual assault reported against children, primarily involving attempted rape. However, it refrains from naming the perpetrators responsible for these heinous acts. A report by the UN in June 2024 attributed violations to various armed groups, including the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, but without identifying specific offenders.
The violence has been pervasive across nine states in Sudan, occurring during conflicts, while civilians flee, or during routine activities like fetching water. Accounts depict armed men invading homes and assaulting girls in front of their families, with several instances involving multiple aggressors. One witness recounted witnessing a young girl being raped, emphasizing the traumatic nature of these attacks.
Tess Ingram, a spokesperson for UNICEF, noted that the statistics represent merely “the tip of the iceberg,” as many survivors and their families avoid reporting due to societal stigma, fear of retaliation, and lack of access to support. Boys, in particular, face additional obstacles when reporting sexual abuse. Survivors, especially girls who become pregnant, endure rejection and stigma from their families.
The ongoing violence has forced many women and children from their homes into internally displaced communities, where the risk of assault is elevated. The report also draws attention to an increase in sexual exploitation within these communities, with some abuse perpetrated by individuals in positions of power seeking sex in exchange for essential services. Limited access to effective medical and psychological support compounds the struggles faced by survivors due to funding shortfalls.
UNICEF’s emergency response initiatives have faced closures due to a freeze on funding and local organizations providing assistance receive minimal financial support. These obstacles have severely hindered efforts to address the needs of survivors of sexual violence in Sudan.
The UNICEF report reveals alarming instances of rape and sexual violence against children in Sudan, with infants among the victims. The pervasive nature of the violence, compounded by societal stigma, fear of retribution, and limited access to support services, underscores a dire humanitarian crisis that requires urgent global attention and action.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
