Conflict-related sexual violence is a serious, present-day emergency affecting millions of people, primarily women and girls. It is often a conscious strategy employed on a large scale by armed groups to humiliate opponents and destroy individuals, as well as whole societies. It is the only crime for which a community’s response is more often to punish the victim, rather than the perpetrator.

Sexual violence during and in the wake of conflict remains vastly under-addressed due to weak national protection mechanisms, inadequate judicial redress and piecemeal services for survivors. Many still view sexual violence as an inevitable, if regrettable, consequence of conflict and displacement – an attitude which encourages impunity for perpetrators and silences survivors.

Yet, rape and other forms of sexual violence during conflict can constitute a war crime, crime against humanity, act of genocide and form of torture. As a grave violation of human rights and humanitarian law, it has received widespread condemnation.

In June 2008, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1820, linking conflict-related sexual violence with the maintenance of international peace and security, demanding the “immediate and complete cessation by all parties to armed conflict of all acts of sexual violence against civilians”. This means conflict-related rape is recognized as a core security challenge. The Council has since adopted two follow-on resolutions 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) to advance implementation and has created the high-level post of Special Representative to the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), currently held by Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura.

UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) is a coordination network that unites the work of 13 UN entities with the goal of ending sexual violence in conflict. Serving as the platform through which the UN “delivers as one” on this issue, UN Action is committed to aligning the UN’s work more effectively behind national efforts to address sexual violence and to deepening partnerships with NGOs and civil society organisations.

Recognizing that the problem is a security as well as a humanitarian and developmental issue, UN Action aims to strengthen both the UN’s response to survivors and efforts to prevent sexual violence during and after conflict. UN Action supports women’s engagement in conflict prevention and enhances their influence over peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery processes, helping to ensure that sexual violence is on the agenda of the justice and security sectors. UN Action seeks to strengthen services for survivors, including health care, legal support and economic assistance to help rebuild their lives. Through its global campaign, Stop Rape Now, it engages people from all walks of life to say NO to sexual violence in conflict.

 It’s easy to show your support for the Stop Rape Now Campaign, here’s how you can get involved!

• Take a stand against the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war by adding your crossed arm picture to our global campaign of solidarity. (http://stoprapenow.org/get-cross/)

• Connect with us using Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNAction), Twitter (@UNAction) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/stoprapenowgetcross)

For more information, visit www.stoprapenow.org or contact Christine Heckman at christine.heckman@unwomen.org