Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children Calls for Action Against RSF Violations

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

The Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children has called for urgent action to protect children in conflict-affected areas. In a statement issued on Friday, the unit revealed that 1,866 cases of conflict-related sexual violence against children have been recorded in Sudan, including rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and trafficking.

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, observed annually on June 19, and held this year under the theme “Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Children: Protecting the Future and Empowering Caregivers,” the unit stressed that sexual violence against children constitutes a grave crime and a serious violation of international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and national legislation. It said the situation requires urgent national, regional, and international action.

According to the statement, the unit received 394 reports of sexual crimes committed against children in various states across Sudan. It noted that many children were subjected to brutal acts during attacks on their homes or while fleeing violence. The statement also cited cases of abduction, forced recruitment, and incidents in which children were compelled to witness atrocities or even participate in acts of sexual violence.

The statement held what it described as the “rebel militia operating outside the law” responsible for using sexual violence against children as a deliberate strategy to punish communities and destroy social bonds. It emphasized that such violations leave “lasting scars, including physical and psychological trauma and social exclusion.”

The unit called for decisive action on three key fronts:

<span;><span;>- Protection: Ensuring the safety and security of children in conflict zones.

<span;><span;>- Accountability: Guaranteeing justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

<span;><span;>- Prevention: Addressing the root causes of sexual violence, strengthening institutions, and investing in child-centered support services.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that “protecting children is a legal and moral duty that rests upon every combatant and every official,” adding that “conflict negatively affects childhood and cuts it short, but together we can build a future in which every girl and boy grows up in safety and dignity.”

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