By Rorisang Modiba
- Unicef report reveals children as young as one are being raped in Sudan’s civil war since January.
- At least 221 cases have been reported but the real number is likely higher as many victims stay quiet out of fear.
Warning: This story contains details about sexual violence against children that readers may find upsetting.
Armed men are raping children as young as one year old in Sudan’s civil war, says a new report by the United Nations children’s organisation, Unicef.
The report found 221 cases of rape against children since January. Experts say many more cases go unreported because people are afraid to speak up.
Sixteen of the victims were under five years old, including four babies. One in three victims were boys.
“The scale of sexual violence we have documented in Sudan is staggering,” said Mohamed Chande Othman, who leads the UN’s investigation team, BBC reported.
The UN says the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, is behind most of the attacks. The RSF is fighting against Sudan’s army.
RSF fighters target black African families to scare them into leaving their homes, especially in the Darfur region. The RSF denies doing this.
Many survivors stay quiet because they fear the armed groups will hurt them again. In Sudan’s traditional society, rape victims also worry about being shamed by their communities.
The UN says the RSF uses rape to spread fear and control areas they want to take over. Past UN reports show the RSF has done this before in Darfur.
Pictured above: A child from Sudan.
Image source: @UN
