The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the dramatic rise in sexual violence within conflict zones globally, reporting that over 4,600 individuals suffered from such violence used as a weapon of war, torture, terrorism, and political repression in 2024 alone. This disturbing trend marks a significant increase compared to previous years and has prompted urgent calls for action from the international community.

In his latest annual report, the UN Secretary-General detailed how sexual violence is increasingly employed as a strategy by both state and non-state actors, including organized crime groups and those under Security Council sanctions, to assert control over territories and resources. Such acts are not only heinous but serve as a means to terrorize and destabilize communities.

Pramila Patten, the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, highlighted the compounded crisis as attacks on healthcare facilities and service providers severely restrict access to essential support for survivors. The lack of safe and accessible medical and psychological care exacerbates the suffering of those affected, making recovery and justice even more elusive.

The UN report pinpoints 21 countries where such atrocities were notably prevalent, with the highest instances recorded in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, and South Sudan. The list of perpetrators includes 63 state and non-state groups, with new additions such as the Résistance pour un Etat de Droit (RED) Tabara in the DRC and the Deterrence Agency for Combatting Organized Crime and Terrorism (DACOT) in Libya.

Controversially, the UN has also placed Israel and Russia "on notice" for potential inclusion in next year's report, citing significant concerns over their forces' conduct. However, definitive assessments of the situations in Ukraine, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remain challenging due to restricted access for UN monitors.

This announcement coincides with ongoing advocacy efforts by the UN special rapporteur on torture, Alice Edwards, who pushes for the recognition of sexual violence as a form of torture. Under the Convention Against Torture, such recognition would bypass issues of consent and underscore the severity of the act, providing a more robust framework for protection and accountability across genders.

The UN's call to action includes a demand for all involved parties to issue clear directives prohibiting sexual violence and to ensure accountability for those who perpetrate such crimes. As the international community grapples with these findings, the hope is that heightened awareness and targeted action will curb the use of sexual violence in conflicts and aid in the healing and justice for its countless victims.