𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 2025 — 𝗨𝗡

The United Nations has reported a sharp rise in the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, revealing that nearly 10,000 conflict-related sexual violence cases were recorded globally in 2025—more than double the number documented the previous year.

According to the UN’s latest report on conflict-related sexual violence, women and girls remained the most affected victims, although men and boys were also targeted in several conflict zones. The report highlighted that sexual violence continues to be used deliberately by state and non-state armed groups to terrorize communities, displace populations, punish opponents, and exert control during conflicts.

UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, described the trend as “a crisis of protection and accountability,” warning that many cases remain unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and limited access to support services.

The report identified ongoing conflicts in countries including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and parts of the Middle East as major hotspots where conflict-related sexual violence has been documented. The UN also stressed that survivors often face long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences.

Calling for urgent international action, the UN urged governments, armed groups, and the global community to strengthen accountability measures, support survivors, and ensure that perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence are brought to justice.