Warning: This report contains details of sexual assaults. Reader discretion is advised.
NEW YORK: Children, including infants as young as one, are suffering rape and sexual violence amid Sudan’s ongoing war. UNICEF urges international action to protect vulnerable children and provide urgent support.
Gender-based violence service providers report 221 child rape cases since early 2024.
Many more cases remain unreported due to stigma, fear, and difficulty accessing services.
Families hesitate to come forward, fearing community rejection or retaliation from armed groups.
Horrifying Numbers
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned the attacks as violations of international law.
“One-year-old children being raped should shock the world into action,” Russell stated.
Millions of children in Sudan face the threat of rape and sexual violence as war tactics.
Of the 221 child rape cases, 147 survivors (66%) are girls, while 33% are boys.
At least 16 survivors are under five years old, including four one-year-old infants.
Widespread Crisis
Sexual violence cases were reported in nine Sudanese states, spanning all regions.
Another 77 cases of attempted rape or sexual assault against children have been documented.
Fear of rape forces many women and girls to flee their homes.
Displaced children remain highly vulnerable to further sexual violence.
Survivors risk social stigma, psychological trauma, and long-term health issues.
Hidden Impact
Sexual violence leaves deep scars, causing isolation, injury, and lifelong mental trauma.
Victims may suffer from unwanted pregnancies, infections, or rejection by their families.
Survivors often lack access to proper medical and psychological care.
Many cannot report their abuse due to cultural stigma and security concerns.
UNICEF emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect affected children.
UNICEF’s Response
UNICEF is establishing safe spaces for gender-based violence survivors.
Medical and psychological support services are being integrated into health centers.
Frontline workers, including doctors and psychologists, are receiving specialized training.
Mobile clinics and community-based services are expanding to reach more survivors.
Efforts are ongoing to address harmful social norms enabling these abuses.
Call for Action
Russell called on warring parties to stop all violence against children immediately.
“The scars of war are immeasurable and long-lasting,” she warned.
UNICEF demands all armed groups respect international humanitarian laws.
Essential service providers must be protected to continue lifesaving work.
Sudan’s sexual violence crisis is worsening, and urgent intervention is needed.
International Support
UNICEF urges donors to treat gender-based violence programs as lifesaving.
Safe and ethical data collection is crucial for holding perpetrators accountable.
Humanitarian workers must be allowed to deliver aid safely.
Families must have secure access to medical and psychological support.
Time is running out to prevent further suffering for Sudan’s children.
