A new report by Unicef highlights the alarming rate of sexual violence against children during Sudan’s civil war, with cases including infants being raped. The report calls for immediate intervention to protect vulnerable children amid a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by underfunding.
Shocking UN Report Reveals Rape of Children, Including Infants, Amid Sudan Civil War
Shocking UN Report Reveals Rape of Children, Including Infants, Amid Sudan Civil War
Unicef exposes harrowing accounts of sexual violence against young children during the ongoing conflict in Sudan, urging immediate international action.
A recent report from the United Nations children’s agency, Unicef, outlines horrifying cases of sexual violence against children in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, including incidents involving infants as young as one year old. The report, the first of its kind detailing the impact of sexual violence on children in this conflict, reveals that these heinous acts are perpetrated by armed men, with survivors reporting severe trauma, including attempts to end their own lives.
Mass sexual violence has emerged as a disturbing weapon of war throughout the nearly two-year conflict in Sudan, and the report indicates that the extent of such abuse is likely underestimated due to societal stigma and fear of retribution from armed groups. Unicef reports 221 cases of child rape, with one-third of victims being boys, who face additional challenges in seeking help due to societal norms.
The report presents a chilling account of the brutalization endured by young children, notably mentioning that 16 of the victims were under the age of five, including four who were mere infants. Although Unicef did not specify responsible parties, previous UN investigations have identified the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the primary perpetrators, accusing them of systematically using sexual violence to instill fear and suppress dissent among civilians.
Catherine Russell, Unicef’s executive director, condemned the atrocities, stating that the rape of children as young as one should incite immediate global action. She emphasized the vulnerability of millions of children in Sudan, where sexual violence is utilized as a tactic of warfare, potentially constituting a war crime.
The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire, further exacerbated by underfunding and recent cuts in US aid, which threaten crucial support systems for victims of violence. With many medical facilities either destroyed or occupied, access to care for survivors remains critically limited.
Survivors recount haunting stories of their experiences, as illustrated by Omnia, an adult who witnessed the torment of young girls, including one who returned from an assault bloody and traumatized. The report confirms an additional 77 cases of sexual assault, predominantly attempted rape, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced protective services.
While Unicef operates through local networks to create safe spaces for children in crisis, the closing of vital organizations due to funding cuts has diminished the support available for survivors. Humanitarian experts highlight that local women-led organizations are crucial in this fight, yet they receive a meager fraction of the funding dedicated to humanitarian efforts in Sudan.
Sulaima Elkhalifa, a Sudanese human rights advocate, underscores the harsh reality faced by rape survivors, who often lack the space or resources to process their trauma amid the overwhelming demands of survival in a war-torn country.
