UN report reveals alarming increase in sexual violence during conflicts
- The UN's annual report highlights a significant rise in sexual violence during conflicts across various countries, identifying Ethiopia's Tigray region as one severe case.
- The report specifies that sexual violence, including torture of detained individuals, is prevalent in multiple countries, with various groups responsible for these acts.
- The findings underscore the urgency for justice and accountability, but systemic challenges may hinder adequate response and implementation of necessary reforms.
In August 2025, the United Nations released the annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, shedding light on escalating sexual violence linked to armed conflicts worldwide. The report outlines that in Ethiopia's Tigray region, where a two-year war resulted in extensive civilian suffering, wartime sexual violence was systematically used as a weapon. Research from BMC Women's Health estimated rapes could reach as high as 120,000 victims, primarily involving Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers along with other local militia. Similar patterns of such violence have surfaced in over 20 countries including the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan, with women and girls bearing the brunt of the assaults. The abuse during conflicts extends beyond women to include men, boys, and individuals from various gender identities. The report emphasizes torture in detention facilities; documented instances involve genital violence and humiliation tactics in multiple nations. Reports from Israel and Palestine, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen identify abusive practices that coincide with the deterioration of human rights in armed conflicts, maintaining that sexual violence is used systematically as part of the torture regimes. The crises surrounding gender-based violence in conflicts often lead to survivors being unable or unwilling to report due to fear of reprisals, stigma, and logistical barriers in accessing justice. While some regions show progress in addressing these crimes, overall accountability remains insufficiently implemented given the scale of the issue, and the difficulty in navigating justice systems. Many victims abstain from reporting attacks, thus perpetuating a cycle of violence and enabling the absence of accountability for perpetrators. The recommendations proposed in the report reflect an urgent need for action in the face of global militarization and a growing number of conflicts. However, given the stark economic and security challenges facing many regions, the prospects for progress in implementing these recommendations are uncertain. Authorities must prioritize addressing these violations alongside humanitarian efforts to end conflicts, ensuring that the acknowledgment of sexual violence as a war crime translates into tangible actions for justice and survivor support.