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UNICEF Reports Widespread Child Rape Used as War Tactic in Sudan

Children as young as one have been sexually assaulted by armed groups in Sudan's ongoing conflict, with the true scale of violence likely far greater than documented cases.

Orphans and children separated from their parents in Kadugli gather to eat boiled leaves at an IDP Camp within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) controlled area in Boram County, Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, Sudan June 22, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo
Sudanese girls who fled the conflict in Darfur, walk beside makeshift shelters holding each other's hands in Adre, Chad in 2023.
Omnia and her children have sought refuge in a new city after being displaced from their home due to the fighting and threats from armed men.
An 11-year-old rape survivor holds his mother’s hand after visiting a psychologist and social worker who are helping him deal with the trauma of rape.

Overview

  • UNICEF has documented 221 cases of child rape in Sudan since early 2024, with 66% of survivors being girls and 33% boys, including four one-year-olds.
  • An additional 77 cases of sexual assault, primarily attempted rapes, have been reported, though these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the true scale.
  • Sexual violence is being used systematically as a tactic of war by armed groups, violating international laws protecting civilians and children.
  • Victims face severe physical injuries, lifelong psychological trauma, and social stigma, with many reluctant to report these crimes due to fear of retribution or rejection.
  • UNICEF urges all parties in Sudan's conflict to protect civilians, particularly children, and calls for immediate action to address the crisis and safeguard survivors.