Sexual violence against children in conflict surges 50% in 5 years to worst level ever

• Violence against children in armed conflict reached the highest level ever recorded in 2024 according to new UN report, with 41,370 violations – a 25% increase from 2023.

LONDON, 20 June 2025 – The number of children subjected to catastrophic and life-changing sexual violence in conflict soared to at least 1,938 cases in 2024, with the verified number of cases the highest since records began and up 50% since 2020, said Save the Children [1].

The latest United Nations Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, released today, found rape and other forms of sexual violence against children increased by 35% in 2024, with cases of gang rape rising dramatically. Haiti had the highest number of cases of verified sexual violence against children (566), followed by Nigeria (419), the Democratic Republic of Congo (358) and Somalia (267).

However, the number of actual cases of sexual violence against children is understood to be vastly underreported due to stigmatization, fear of reprisals, harmful social norms, the absence or lack of access to services, impunity, and safety concerns.

The UN report said violence against children in armed conflict reached the highest levels ever recorded in 2024, rising 25% to 41,370 violations.

The violations verified in the greatest numbers were the killing and maiming of 11,967 children, with the highest numbers of grave violations verified in the occupied Palestinian territory (8,544), the DRC (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436) and Haiti (2,269). These violations – crimes against children in conflict zones – include killing, maiming and abduction, sexual violence, recruitment into armed groups, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access to children.

These findings have far-reaching implications, said Save the Children, with the consequences of violence against children in conflict and sexual violence in particular being catastrophic – physically, psychologically and socially.

Sexual violence against children fundamentally undermines their futures, with child survivors often left with serious physical injuries, which can be particularly severe because their growing bodies are not yet fully developed. Damage to children’s reproductive systems can leave them incontinent, infertile and condemned to a lifetime of bleeding and pain, and they are at high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Girls who become pregnant can suffer life-threatening complications during childbirth, will often be forced to drop out of school, and can face social exclusion and stigmatisation.

The scale and gravity of sexual violence against children in armed conflict calls for immediate and concerted action by the UN, states, donors and the humanitarian community to meet their obligations to ensure children are safe from harm, said Save the Children.

Rebecca*, 16, was raped in July 2024 in eastern DRC. She received support from Save the Children. She told our staff:

“One day, when we went out to look for firewood in the bush, we fell into the hands of armed, hooded men who raped us. We had no one to come to our aid, even though we screamed in the bush! When I got home, I remained calm and didn’t talk to anyone. I decided not to go to the hospital because I was afraid and ashamed.”

Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said:

“We must never turn our back on humanity. When children are allowed to suffer relentless violence in the name of war, we all share the blame – and we all share a responsibility to make the suffering stop. The horrors children are being subjected to in war are increasing dramatically year-on-year, a trend which reveals a persistent and blatant lack of respect for the special protections afforded to children.

“Sexual violence against children in conflict is a crime which once took place in the shadows but is now more and more becoming used as an overt tactic of war. Sexual violence in conflict must be treated with the same gravity as guns and bombs. No one should have to endure the pain and humiliation of rape and sexual exploitation and violence, and it is particularly deplorable when a child is subjected to this brutality.

“States must take action. They need to uphold standards of conduct in conflict – particularly and most critically when it comes to the treatment of children. They have a legal and moral responsibility to call out the perpetrators of violence against children in conflict – and they have a duty to fund the programmes that protect them and treat and help the survivors. The future of millions of children depends on immediate and decisive global action.”

Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children’s Country Director in Haiti, said:

“Haiti is currently one of the world’s most dangerous places for children. Children in Haiti are continuously experiencing grave violations yet living in the global shadows. Every girl and boy in Haiti deserve to live free from the fear of sexual violence. Stronger protections must urgently be put in place to ensure this gruesome trend does not continue. Many are living in overcrowded camps, where aid is limited, and the dangers of sexual violence, abuse, and recruitment by armed groups are rampant. Right now, children across Haiti need safety, protection, and access to child-friendly services. The world needs to wake up and see what’s unfolding in the country.”

NOTES:

[1] Analysis by Save the Children of the 2021 – 2025 United Nations annual reports of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, based on data reported and verified in the previous year. Number of Verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated against children: 2025 report for 2024 figures – 1,938 cases; 2024 report for 2023 figures – 1,470 cases; 2023 report for 2022 figures – 1,165 cases; 2022 report for 2021 figures – 1,326 cases; 2021 report for 2020 figures – 1,268 cases

[2] The six grave violations against children: the UN Security Council has identified six grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict: killing and maiming of children; recruitment or use of children in armed forces and groups; rape and other forms of sexual violence against children; abduction of children; attacks against schools and hospitals; and denial of humanitarian access to children. These grave violations were defined on the basis of their egregious nature and their severe impact on children’s wellbeing. In addition to the six violations, the annual UN has verified cases of detention of children since 2012 and presented them in the report.

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