Addressing Sexual Violence

Sexual and gender-based violence occur at every stage of a conflict, from before the flight to the return home. The victims are most often women and adolescent girls and boys.

• Women’s bodies often become battlegrounds, over which rape is used as a weapon of war to humiliate, dominate or disrupt social ties among the enemy.

• Women and girls may be forced to offer sex in exchange for food, shelter or protection.

• Other abuse includes sexual threats, exploitation, humiliation, molestation, incest, torture and domestic violence.

The impact of violence, especially rape, can be devastating. Physical consequences may include injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexual dysfunction and HIV/AIDS. Damage to mental health may include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide. For both prevention and treatment, UNFPA works with UN and NGO partners to coordinate relief efforts across sectors, with staff involved in protection, security and community and health services.

UNFPA’s actions to prevent sexual violence include:

• Raising awareness about the increased danger and condemning such acts as violations of human rights and a threat to public health

• Supporting education and information campaigns

• Promoting safety measures, including adequate lighting, security patrols and the safe location of services and facilities

• Advocating for the enactment and enforcement of laws and policies against sexual and gender-based violence, and providing training for police and judges

• Involving men to promote behaviour change

UNFPA also supports treatment and counselling that help create a feeling of safety and provide opportunities to talk about violent experiences, both of which are vital for recovery. Training on how to help victims of sexual violence can improve the sensitivity of health workers’ response during a crisis. Medical and psychological treatment includes emergency contraception, counselling and reproductive health services.

The stigma associated with sexual violence may prevent those in need from seeking care. To avoid this problem, treatment and counselling services have been successfully integrated within multi-purpose centres housing a mix of unrelated activities.

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