Rise in Sexual Assaults by a Quarter in 2024 During Armed Conflicts
In a concerning development, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has published an annual report stating that sexual violence in armed conflicts has increased by 25 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. The report, titled 'Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (S/2025/389)', documents over 4,600 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence.
The report highlights the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia, and South Sudan as the most affected countries, with the highest number of cases recorded in the DRC. The report also covers 21 countries for which verified information is available.
Sexual violence is being used as a tactic of war, torture, terror, and political repression by both State and non-State actors across these countries. The majority of victims (92 percent) are women, with ages ranging from 1 to 75 years. Notably, sexual violence against children surged by 35% in 2024.
Armed groups use sexual violence to control territory and resources, and some government forces are implicated. In addition, there is a rise in sexual violence in detention settings used for torture and coercion, disproportionately affecting men and boys but also women and girls.
The proliferation and widespread availability of small and light weapons have contributed to the increase in sexual violence in most conflict contexts. Mass displacements and food insecurity have increased the risk of sexual violence for women and girls in conflict zones.
Unfortunately, victims of sexual violence have not been able to access healthcare professionals within 72 hours of the rape, leading to devastating health consequences and limited access to sexual and reproductive health care, mental health assistance, legal aid, or support for subsistence.
Deep-rooted stigma has resulted in the socio-economic exclusion and impoverishment of survivors and their children, many of whom have been born as a result of rape. Humanitarian access restrictions and destruction of healthcare infrastructure seriously hamper aid to survivors. Funding shortages severely undermine support for survivors even as military spending escalates globally.
For a comprehensive understanding of this crisis, readers are encouraged to review the full 2024 report (S/2025/389) issued on August 14, 2025, available on the UN’s official website or through the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Briefings and statements by Pramila Patten, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, provide further insights into the trends and challenges. UN press releases and news articles summarizing the report’s findings from sources such as UN News, ABC News, and the UN Geneva website also offer valuable perspectives.
