KHARTOUM — Salima Ishaq, head of the Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children, revealed to Al-Quds Al-Arabi that her unit has documented 193 cases of child rape since the outbreak of war in mid-April 2023. Among these cases is a six-year-old girl. Ishaq emphasized that the recorded figures represent only a fraction of the actual incidents, as monitoring efforts remain ongoing.
She noted that boys have also been victims of sexual violence, alongside forced marriages and circumcision of girls, many under the age of 15. The prevalence of forced child marriages has risen sharply, particularly in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s Gezira State and Darfur region. In relatively safer regions, cases of harassment against girls have been reported in displacement shelters, though families often avoid reporting them due to stigma.
Ishaq highlighted challenges faced by protection committees within shelters, which often encounter resistance when intervening. She pointed out instances of assaults on boys by family members or acquaintances and stressed the vulnerability of children in displacement camps, warning of severe consequences.
While some child-friendly spaces exist within displacement shelters, Ishaq acknowledged their inadequacy and criticized the limited psychological support provided by organizations.
UNICEF has corroborated Ishaq’s findings, reporting significant challenges to monitoring due to insecurity, communication disruptions, and families’ reluctance to report incidents. On Tuesday, UNICEF disclosed cases involving infants as young as one year old being raped during Sudan’s ongoing conflict. Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned these atrocities as violations of international law that could amount to war crimes.
UNICEF data shows that 66% of child rape survivors are girls, while 33% are boys—a notable statistic given the stigma and unique challenges boys face in reporting abuse. Among documented cases, 16 involved children under five years old, including four infants aged one year.
Sexual violence against children has escalated during city raids, home invasions, while fleeing danger, during captivity, or in exchange for basic supplies like food or water amidst Sudan’s fragile security situation.
The ongoing war between Sudan’s military and RSF has claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced approximately 15 million people since April 2023. Rights groups have accused both sides of committing heinous acts, including sexual violence and forced child marriages.
Sources: Al-Quds Al-Arabi, UNICEF
