Unicef reports that over 200 children, including infants, have been raped in Sudan since the war began in April 2023. Of the 221 documented cases in 2024, 66 percent are girls, with 16 victims under five years old. Many survivors face barriers to reporting abuse due to fear and societal stigma, while funding cuts have restricted access to essential support services.
According to Unicef, over 200 children in Sudan, including infants, have reported cases of rape since the onset of the conflict in 2023. The organization’s grim report cites 221 incidents of rape affecting children in 2024 alone, with girls constituting 66 percent of the cases. Disturbingly, sixteen victims were under five years old, including four who were just one year old.
In addition to the recorded rapes, Unicef noted 77 other incidents of sexual assault, primarily attempted rapes. The report refrained from naming the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Furthermore, the UN’s 2023 report outlined various violations committed against children, attributing some cases to armed groups, but many instances remain linked to unidentified aggressors.
The atrocities have occurred across nine states in Sudan, frequently amid wartime turmoil. Victims often face sexual violence while fleeing dangerous areas, conducting daily tasks, or during targeted home invasions. Witnesses recounted horrific incidents, including girls being taken from their families and assaulted. One female observer recalled hearing a young girl’s cries during a traumatic episode, underscoring the pervasive nature of such violence.
Tess Ingram, a representative from Unicef, stated that the documented figures likely represent only a fraction of the actual cases, as many victims and their families fear retribution, face societal stigma, and lack accessible support services. Boys, in particular, encounter distinct barriers when attempting to report abuse. For girls, the consequences of assault include potential pregnancies, leading to further societal rejection.
The ongoing violence is displacing women and girls, pushing them into precarious situations where the risk of further assault increases. The report also highlighted a disturbing rise in sexual exploitation within internally displaced persons (IDP) communities, often perpetrated by individuals in positions of authority, who demand sexual favors for essential services.
Survivors face daunting challenges as access to medical and psychological support remains limited. Ongoing funding restrictions have severely impacted services available to these vulnerable individuals. According to UN Women, Unicef’s emergency response initiatives have halted due to financial cuts, rendering assistance unavailable for many victims.
Local organizations dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence receive only a small fraction of humanitarian funding, specifically less than two percent from the UN’s Sudan Humanitarian Fund. This lack of resources further exacerbates the plight of those affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The situation in Sudan reflects a grave humanitarian crisis, particularly impacting children who are subjected to sexual violence in alarming numbers. Unicef’s report reveals the widespread nature of these abuses. Access to necessary support and services is severely hindered, persistently placing survivors in vulnerable and precarious circumstances. As the conflict continues, the need for comprehensive responses to both support survivors and address the root causes of the violence remains urgent.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
