The power struggle between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces RSF has not only led to the displacement of over million people and caused severe humanitarian crisis but has also led serious violation of human rights. A detailed report by UNICEF published this month of March revealed that there is serious wave of sexual abuse on both women, men and children as little as infants, face in this country plagued in crisis since 2023.
In the heart wrenching report, the database analysis was compiled from Sudan-based groups helping survivors of sexual violence and cites 221 rape cases against children since the beginning of 2024, with the youngest survivors being four one year olds. From the report, 66% of the survivors are girls, 33% boys and 16 survivors are children under the age of 5. This number is reported to be small compared to the reality on ground, as the data collected is based on those who reported the act, while others who didn’t fear for their life and don’t want to face the rejection and stigma that comes with being a rape survivor.
Who are those responsible?
This sexual abuse and violation of human rights is inflicted by both the Sudanese army and the RSF, who use it as a weapon of war and strip children of their innocence, living them traumatised and scarred for life. It equally comes as a shock that places where this victims and survivors are to find safety or shelter turns out to be another dungeon where the predators still take advantage of them.
It is reported that more other abuse is perpetrated within the community against internally displaced persons (IDPs), with these violations occurring in shelters, informal IDP sites and within communities. “Displaced women and girls are increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence due to crowded living conditions in IDP sites, being housed by strangers or having no choice but to take long often dark walks to access essential services such as water points or toilets”. More to it are those in power within the IDP camps who demand for sex in exchange for supplies or shelter,” the report reads.
How are these crimes committed?
Survivors recount chilling accounts of systematic abuse by armed men, storming homes and demanding families to surrender their daughters at gunpoint.
Raping children in front of their families while violently attacking other family members.
Targeting children fleeing conflict, including at checkpoints.
Abducting girls, holding them captive, and subjecting them to repeated gang rapes.
Impacts on Children and families
The consequences of these horrible crime leaves children and families a life long trauma. But it is more grave on children whose innocence is stolen, and are left psychologically shattered. More of the consequences include;
-Unwanted pregnancies: Many young girls, some as young as 10, are forced into early motherhood.
-Family and community rejection: Survivors often face stigma and are cast out by their families.
-Contact protracted illness and are infected with lethal disease.
-Severe mental health struggles: Some children attempt suicide after enduring prolonged abuse. A mother of two teenage girls recounted her daughters’ horrific ordeal: “My girls were kidnapped, and I searched everywhere for them. Months later, a neighbor told me they were alive, but they were being raped repeatedly by armed men. My youngest tried to take her own life by cutting her wrists. My older daughter was beaten so badly she vomited blood. They weren’t fed, they were forced to work 24 hours a day—cleaning, ironing, and more. When they finally escaped, both were pregnant.”
Another report by Reuters stated women were gang raped in ethnically targeted attacks by the RSF and allied Arab militiamen. An allegation the RSF has previously said it would investigate and bring perpetrators to justice. However till date no significant impact to stop this violence has been done and it continues to rise.
The Sudan crisis has reached an unbearable level of brutality, with sexual violence being weaponized against the most vulnerable. Urgent international action is needed to protect civilians, ensure justice for survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. Until then, thousands of children and women remain at risk, suffering in silence as the world watches.