A UNICEF report reveals that over 200 children, including infants, have been raped in Sudan since early 2024, with 66% of the survivors being girls. The violence remains widespread, often occurring during civilian evacuations or daily activities. The report highlights significant barriers to reporting and accessing support, with urgent action needed to protect vulnerable children and assist survivors.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported a deeply troubling situation in Sudan, where over 200 children, including infants as young as one, have been raped since the onset of 2024. This alarming data emerges from the ongoing conflict in Sudan that began in April 2023. Of the documented cases, 66 percent of the survivors are girls, and 16 of those affected are under the age of five, with four being mere infants. Additionally, 77 reports of sexual assault against children have been recorded, primarily involving attempted rape.
The report notes that the identity of the perpetrators remains unspecified, although it outlined a distribution of blamed entities in prior reports, attributing violations to unidentified affiliates, as well as groups such as the Rapid Support Forces and other local militias. The violence is widespread and occurs predominantly during civilian evacuations or as individuals carry out daily tasks, exacerbating the trauma for the victims. Cases have arisen across nine states in Sudan, with reports detailing heinous acts where armed individuals invaded homes and raped girls in the presence of their loved ones.
A harrowing account illustrated by a witness describes how female victims, including young girls, were taken to separate rooms and assaulted, returning in a state of disarray and trauma. The witness recounted, “I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her.” Reports indicate that survivors suffer severely from the aftermath of such violence, facing psychological distress and stigma, particularly if they become pregnant.
UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram emphasizes that the documented incidents represent merely a fraction of the broader issue, as several survivors often avoid reporting due to fears of retribution from armed groups and shame within their communities. This hesitance is prominent among boys, who encounter additional challenges when it comes to reporting instances of abuse. The ongoing violence continues to displace women and girls, forcing them into precarious situations that increase their vulnerability to further assaults.
Moreover, the report highlights that the assault on children is not limited to combatants; rather, it extends to sexual exploitation within internally displaced communities. Some perpetrators are individuals in positions of authority at shelters who exploit their power by demanding sexual favors in exchange for essential services. Unfortunately, survivors encounter significant barriers in accessing necessary medical and psychological care, compounded by funding shortages that hinder support services and emergency response initiatives set up by UNICEF.
As noted, local women-led organizations receive alarmingly low support from humanitarian funds, which significantly limits their capacity to assist survivors of sexual violence effectively. Therefore, urgent action is necessary to address these profound humanitarian and protection concerns in Sudan, particularly for the most vulnerable children at risk of sexual violence.
In conclusion, the UNICEF report on the alarming rise of sexual violence against children in Sudan highlights the urgent need for international attention and intervention. With over 200 cases of rape documented, including infants as victims, the situation presents a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the barriers to reporting and accessing support services must be addressed to protect vulnerable children from further harm and to support the survivors effectively.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
