Alarming Rise in Sexual Violence Against Children in Sudan's Civil War

UNICEF's recent findings highlight an alarming trend of sexual violence against children in Sudan, where infants as young as one are among the victims. The report exposes the harrowing realities faced by survivors, exacerbated by the socio-political climate and limited support for those in need.

UNICEF has issued a distressing report detailing the prevalence of sexual violence against children during the protracted civil war in Sudan. The report highlights an especially chilling trend: children as young as one year old have been subjected to rape and sexual assault, with survivors exhibiting extreme trauma that has led some to contemplate suicide.

This surge in mass sexual violence has been documented as an instrument of war throughout Sudan’s nearly two-year conflict. However, this latest report stands out as the first to comprehensively address the impact of these heinous acts on children. Alarmingly, it reveals that one-third of reported victims are boys, who face unique barriers in disclosing their experiences and accessing necessary support services.

UNICEF's findings show that 221 cases of rape against children have been officially documented since the start of 2024, yet the actual figures are expected to be significantly higher due to societal stigmas surrounding such crimes. In a socially conservative environment where cultural taboos against discussing rape exist, many survivors and their families refrain from coming forward, fearing retaliation from armed groups as well as societal ostracism.

The report underscores the horrific reality that of the recorded cases, 16 children were under five years old, including four infants. While UNICEF refrains from naming specific perpetrators, previous UN investigations have implicated the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in many of the assaults, attributing to them a systematic use of sexual violence against civilians as a means of instilling fear and quelling resistance.

UNICEF's executive director, Catherine Russell, expressed outrage at the report’s revelations, emphasizing that the rape of such young children should catalyze immediate international response. She condemned this pattern of violence as a violation of international law and potentially a war crime, reiterating that the continued risk of sexual violence for millions of children in Sudan demands urgent action.

Persistent human rights reports indicate that victims in Darfur, the RSF's stronghold, have often been targeted based on racial identities—specifically, individuals of black African descent are reportedly singled out in violent campaigns aimed at dislocating them from their homeland.

The situation is exacerbated by a humanitarian response that is chronically underfunded, with recent cuts to US aid projected to further diminish available programs. Reports of ongoing sexual violence function within an already precarious humanitarian landscape, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced and children, in particular, are suffering greatly.

Survivors often have limited access to medical care as facilities have been destroyed or repurposed by combatants. Local activists and organizations, which have historically been instrumental in providing support to survivors, are facing budgetary constraints leading to significant gaps in assistance. Despite these challenges, UNICEF and various community networks are striving to create safe spaces for affected children through Emergency Response Rooms, though their efforts have been severely hampered by funding cuts.

The grim realities faced by survivors in this protracted conflict serve as a stark reminder of the intersection between war and the devastating human rights violations that ensue, particularly against the most vulnerable populations. The international community is urged to take action against sexual violence as a weapon of war and to advocate for the protection and support of those affected.