Conflict-related sexual violence cases more than doubled in 2025, UN warns
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Cases More Than Doubled in 2025, UN Warns
Conflict related sexual violence cases more - The United Nations documented over 9,700 instances of sexual violence linked to armed conflict in 2025, representing a significant surge compared to 2024. These acts, encompassing rape, sexual slavery, and abduction, were employed as instruments of warfare across diverse regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean. The figures underscore a mounting global concern, with the violence intensifying amid rising instability, population displacement, and reduced support systems for affected individuals.
Report Highlights
Released on Friday, the UN's annual report revealed a stark escalation in the use of sexual violence as a strategic tool in conflicts. Special Representative Pramila Patten emphasized that this trend signals a broader crisis, driven by growing insecurity and dwindling resources to aid survivors. "The numbers reflect an alarming expansion of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism, and political suppression, marked by extreme brutality and a disproportionate focus on women and girls," she stated during a press briefing at the UN headquarters.
The report confirmed 9,788 documented cases of sexual violence tied to conflict in 2025. However, Patten clarified that the statistics only capture a fraction of the actual harm endured by victims. "The data in this report serves as a snapshot, not the complete narrative, of a pervasive pattern of abuse that often goes unnoticed and unreported," she explained. This assertion highlights the challenge of accurately measuring the scale of the issue, as many cases remain hidden due to fear, cultural stigma, or lack of access to reporting mechanisms.
Global Trends and Patterns
The report’s findings span 21 conflict-affected nations, detailing how both state and non-state actors perpetrate a range of sexual violence, including rape, gang attacks, forced marriages, and trafficking. Women and girls continue to be the primary victims, though men and boys are also targeted, often in detention facilities or as part of coercive tactics. Additionally, LGBTQI+ individuals face an elevated risk of targeted harassment and persecution, further compounding the crisis.
Victims ranged from children as young as one to adults in their seventies, with the report noting instances involving persons with disabilities. Patten highlighted that the violence is often accompanied by severe physical abuse, including fatal attacks following sexual assault and self-harm incidents among survivors. “This report is fundamentally about the profound suffering experienced by victims and their communities, who endure the scars of war long after the conflict has ended,” she said.
Non-State Actors and Regional Contexts
The UN findings indicate that non-state armed groups, such as organized criminal networks, persist in using sexual violence to dominate territories and communities, particularly those with abundant natural resources. Displaced and refugee populations, especially in isolated border regions, face heightened vulnerability as their social and support networks collapse. The proliferation of small arms has exacerbated the situation, enabling perpetrators to carry out attacks with greater frequency and intensity.
Humanitarian access restrictions, combined with rising insecurity and funding gaps, have compounded the difficulty of recording abuses and providing aid to survivors. Patten stressed that these challenges hinder efforts to address the crisis comprehensively, leaving many victims without timely assistance. “Without adequate resources, the documentation of these violations remains incomplete, and the ability to support survivors is severely limited,” she noted.
Annex and New Additions
The report’s annex identified 77 entities responsible for systematic patterns of sexual violence, including 62 non-state actors and two state organizations. Notably, three new non-state groups operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were added to the list: the Wazalendo armed elements, the Forces nationales de libération, and the Mai-Mai du groupe armé de l’Union des patriotes pour la libération du Congo. These additions reflect the UN’s growing awareness of the role such groups play in perpetuating violence.
Furthermore, Russian and Israeli armed forces were newly listed in the report after evidence of ongoing sexual violence was documented by the UN. Patten mentioned that these parties were “placed on notice for potential inclusion in the next reporting period,” underscoring the organization’s commitment to holding all actors accountable. The inclusion of these state actors highlights the global nature of the issue, as sexual violence is not confined to specific regions or types of conflict.
Call for Action and Preventive Measures
The UN report urges the Security Council and member states to prioritize prevention, accountability, and survivor support. It emphasizes the need for increased funding to expand medical, psychological, and legal services for those affected. “These violations are not isolated incidents but part of a global pattern with devastating consequences,” Patten stated. “Our response must center on the rights, needs, and dignity of survivors, rather than political posturing or selective outrage.”
By addressing the root causes of the crisis and strengthening international cooperation, the report aims to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in conflict zones. Patten called for sustained efforts to ensure that survivors receive the care and justice they deserve, while also holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The report serves as a reminder that the impact of conflict-related sexual violence extends far beyond the immediate harm, affecting generations and shaping the long-term stability of affected regions.
As the world grapples with the escalating use of sexual violence in warfare, the UN report underscores the urgency of a coordinated global response. With over 9,700 documented cases in 2025, the crisis demands immediate attention, not just in the regions most affected but in every corner of the globe. The findings challenge governments, organizations, and individuals to take action, ensuring that the rights of survivors are protected and that the cycle of violence is broken.