Armed men are committing horrific acts of sexual violence against children, including infants as young as one year old, amid the widespread conflict engulfing Sudan, according to a report by UNICEF.
The situation has been described as a crisis of unimaginable proportions, with children facing brutal violations that may constitute war crimes under international law.
Data gathered by gender-based violence (GBV) service providers in Sudan reveals that at least 221 cases of rape against children have been recorded since the beginning of 2024.
However, these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the actual number of cases, as survivors and their families often hesitate to come forward due to limited access to services, stigma, fear of rejection, and potential retribution from armed groups. "Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war.
