elpais.com
Sudan Civil War: Widespread Sexual Violence Against Children
In Sudan's civil war, UNICEF documented 221 rapes of children since early 2024, including four one-year-olds, alongside 77 more sexual assaults; the Sudanese government documented 193 additional cases, mostly in forced marriages, highlighting underreported sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly by the Rapid Support Forces.
- What factors contribute to the underreporting of child sexual abuse in Sudan, and how do these abuses manifest?
- The 221 rapes, alongside 77 additional sexual assaults, occurred across nine Sudanese states, indicating widespread abuse during home invasions, escapes, and daily activities. The Sudanese government also documented 193 similar cases, often within forced marriages. This suggests a systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly by the Rapid Support Forces.
- What is the extent of sexual violence against children in Sudan's civil war, and what are the immediate consequences?
- In Sudan's ongoing civil war, UNICEF documented 221 child rapes since early 2024, including four one-year-olds and twelve under five. Two-thirds of victims were girls. This highlights the underreported crisis of sexual violence against children in conflict zones.
- What are the long-term consequences of this widespread sexual violence, and what interventions are needed to prevent future occurrences?
- The underreporting stems from social stigma, lack of services, and fear of reprisal. The high prevalence of sexual violence against minors (double the global average in fragile contexts) has led some communities to wrongly adopt drastic "protective" measures like female genital mutilation and child marriage. Increased international funding is crucial to address this crisis.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the severity of sexual violence against children in Sudan, particularly in the context of the ongoing war. The use of statistics and harrowing testimonies effectively highlights the scale of the crisis and the vulnerability of children. While focusing on the suffering, the article also includes efforts made by organizations like UNICEF and SIHA, providing a balanced perspective.
Bias by Omission
The report lacks details on the specific locations in Sudan where the violations occurred and the identities of the perpetrators. While the report mentions that 90% of violations are linked to the Rapid Support Forces according to SIHA, the lack of precise location data and perpetrator details hinders a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and scope of the violence. The omission of this information limits the ability to effectively target interventions and support.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the alarming increase in sexual violence against children in Sudan, particularly girls, since the beginning of the war. This violence includes rape, sexual assault, and exploitation, often within the context of forced marriage. The conflict exacerbates existing gender inequalities and vulnerabilities, leading to severe physical and psychological trauma for victims. The fact that many cases go unreported due to stigma, fear of reprisal, and lack of services further points to the systemic nature of gender-based violence in the conflict.