Sexual violence against children used as war tactics in Sudan

Armed men sexually rape and aggress women and children, including babies, while Sudan’s brutal conflict are facing. UNICEF works with partners to provide support to young survivors.

Serious violations against children trapped in the conflict zone

continuous conflict in Sudan He killed and hurt thousands of people, traveled over 11 million people and gave birth to a humanitarian crisis that led to disease and malnutrition.

But rarely reported is the severe protection crisis that occurs during this conflict, especially the widespread perpetuation of sexual violence against children.

In a new report, Sudan-based violence service providers paint a frightening image of what children are subjected to rape. 221 cases of rape were registered against children from the beginning of 2024.

Read the UNICEF report: The crisis of rape and sexual violence in Sudan (Trigger warning: this publication – and this story – contain information and descriptions of violence against women and children, including sexual violence)

A frightening violation of international law

This figure represents only a small part of the total cases. Survivors and their families often do not want or cannot present themselves due to the challenges of access to services, together with the stigma fears, the rejection of their family or community and the remuneration from armed groups.

UNICEF and partners offer safe spaces in which survivors can begin to recover from the traumas they have experienced, with the help of trained professionals. It takes a lot more help.

“Children as young, being raped by armed men should shock anyone in their center and oblige the immediate action.”

“Children as young as 1 being raped by armed men should shock anyone in their center and get immediate actions,” said the executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell. “Millions of children in Sudan risk rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is used as a war tactic. This is a scary violation of international law and could be a war crime. Must stop. “

Of the 221 survivors of children rape, 147 children – 66 percent – are girls. That 33 percent of the survivors are boys are also notable, because they can also face stigma and unique challenges in reporting, seeking help and accessing services. Shocking, 16 survivors are under 5, including four children of 1 year.

Dozens of first hand accounts

In December 2024 and January 2025, UNICEF documented dozens of first -hand -based violence stories, including cases involving survivors of the sexual violence of children who were attacked during the invasions of the cities, while running away from danger and while they were held by armed men.

The brutal reality of this violence and the fear of falling victim in it are pushing women and girls to leave their homes and families and run to other cities where they often reach informal travel or rare communities. The risk of sexual violence is also high in these communities, especially against children who have been internally displaced.

An eyewitness to atrocities

Omnia* lives with the trauma he experienced after being abducted by armed men and held 19 days. He is an eyewitness to attacks on several girls who have been held with her.

“They brought a young girl, 16 years old, at 1 in the morning during Ramadan,” said Omnia. “A young girl, no more than 15 or 16 years old. The girl’s clothes were soaked in the blood, she was in a terrible state. I wore it and cleaned it. I gave him water. I was the oldest in the room; I tried to calm her down.

“After 9 at night, someone opens the door, wearing a whip, selecting one of the girls and takes it in another room,” Omnia continues. “I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. It rape it. Every time they raped it, this girl will return covered by blood. She is still a little child. ”

Omnia and her children sought refuge in a new city. To support healing, she receives mental health and psychosocial support from a women’s organization. She used to work in human rights and hopes to return to the sector soon, but continue to fear her life.

Kidnapped, beaten and raped

When the fight arrived at their house, the sisters Dana,* 16 years old and Yara*, 19, were abducted, beaten and raped by soldiers for four months, before escaping. Later they will find out that they are both pregnant.

Since then, the family has fled and sought refuge in a new city, but the daughters continue to face serious health and mental health consequences. It also comes into life as young mothers, without the support of their extended family because of the stigma associated with a child after being raped.

Dana remains traumatized and continues to show signs of stress, depression and anxiety.

Her mother, Mariam*, said: “My little daughter tried to kill himself by cutting and his wrists, tried to throw himself from the roof of the building, but they caught it. If someone talks about these things in front of Dana, cry. She says she feels less than others. ”

The family receives financial and psychosocial support from the organizations led by women in the state of Kassala.

Safe spaces, health services, mental health assistance

The huge impact of sexual violence on survivors is often hidden, but it may have a negative and sustainable inheritance, including significant psychological trauma, forced isolation or rejection of the family due to social stigma, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, serious injury and other complications.

UNICEF works with partners to establish safe spaces that offer gender -based violence services for survivors, as well as integration of these services in health centers and mobile clinics and the provision of relevant medical supplies.

UNICEF also creates the ability of first -rate social workers, psychologists and medical professionals and implements them in Sudan locations to provide community -based services, including mental health and psychosocial assistance and referral services. Also, works are carried out within the communities to address harmful social norms and practices.

“The sexual violence spread in Sudan has instilled terror in humans, especially children,” Russell said. “The parties to the conflict and those with influence on them must make every effort to end these serious violations against children. These war scars are immeasurable and long -lasting. “

Learn more about The work of protecting the unicef ​​child.

* All the names of the survivors have been changed to protect their privacy.

At the moment, the life of the most vulnerable children hangs in balance as conflicts and crises endanger the care and protection they deserve. External reliable, uninterrupted and effective help is essential for the well -being of millions of children. Please contact Congress members and urge -i to support American investments in foreign assistance.

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