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Sexual violence by state bodies or conflict actors that particularly targets IDPs and refugees, aid, health workers or educators or students among others.

This Monthly News Brief bears testimony to the brave survivors who speak about sexual violence by state bodies or conflict actors. Most events of sexual violence are never reported. This compilation is neither complete nor representative of the extent or nature of sexual violence in general. It brings together dispersed accounts about survivors from around the world who broke the silence.

Past editions: February 2021; January 2021

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Reporting Sexual Violence
By state bodies or conflict actors and affecting IDPs and refugees, aid, health workers or educators.

Africa
Central African Republic
Around 03 March 2021: In Boukoko village, Mbaiki territory, Lobaye region, a girl was raped by Russian Wagner Group militia men. Source: ACLED

19 March 2021: Near Bemaide village, Paoua territory, Ouham Pende region, a woman was raped by armed men affiliated to the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC). Source: ACLED

Democratic Republic of the Congo
02 March 2021: In Rubare village, Rutshuru territory, North Kivu, a woman was kidnapped and raped by five unidentified men whilst working in the field. The perpetrators demanded a ransom for the woman’s release. Source: Kivu Security

08 March 2021: In Mukumba village, Nyunzu territory, Tanganyika province, five women were abducted and kept as sex slaves by Twa militia. The women were released four days later in Mulolwa village. Source: Radio Okapi

Ethiopia
Sexual Violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region
On 4 November 2020, the Ethiopian army began a military offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Four months later the ongoing conflict has killed thousands of civilians, displaced over two million, forced thousands of refugees to flee to Sudan, and caused widespread destruction. This document by Insecurity insight analyses a sample of 36 reported incidents of sexual violence that occurred in Tigray region between November 2020 and March 2021. Among this sample, 106 women and girls were affected by sexual violence and at least 144 different perpetrators were involved. Access this data on HDX.

Ghana
19 March 2021: A Global Fund investigation has found that executives of Ghanaian organisation “Ghana Network Association of People Living with HIV (NAP+)” have demanded sex acts and money in exchange for access to benefits. Nine programme participants have reported being sexually exploited and abused by NAP+ executives. All but one of the accused have denied the allegations. Sources: Global Fund and Reuters

South Sudan
18 March 2021: In Makur-Aric residential area, Rumbek County, Lakes States, a group of women disarmed and beat two soldiers who attacked and attempted to rape a woman in the area. Source: Eye Radio

Sudan
27 February 2021: In Ayour Bari neighbourhood, Saraf Omra town, North Darfur, a 45-year-old displaced woman was raped by five gunmen whilst fetching firewood. Source: Dabanga Sudan

Asia
China
06 March 2021: In Taohua town, Changshou district, Chongqing municipality, a female human rights defender was sexually harassed by police officers inside a police station. Her back and arms were bruised while resisting. Source: ACLED

India
Around 03 March 2021: In Alwar city and district, Rajasthan state, a woman was detained and raped for three days by a police officer after going to the police station to file a complaint against her husband. Source: ACLED

Around 23 March 2020: In Samba city, Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir union territory, a Muslim Bakarwal community family were assaulted and female family members were sexually assaulted by 50 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members. Source: ACLED

The Americas
Colombia
16 March 2020: In Soacha city and municipality, Cundinamarca department, a non-binary member of the trans community was sexually abused by police officers after being arrested for inconsistencies in their ID number. Source: ACLED

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Free training materials to support reporting and monitoring of sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse
Insecurity Insight supports local organisation in best practice on reporting and monitoring sexual violence. If you are working with survivors or victims of sexual violence and you would be interested in receiving our free training products, please get in touch.

Mobile Guide: Responding to Sexual Violence in the Aid Workplace
10-minute guide on how to take action, report an incident, and get support when sexual violence and abuse happens to you or a colleague in the aid workplace. You need to be registered with DisasterReady! to access the guide. Download PDF