UN Warns 9,788 War-Linked Sexual Violence Cases Hit 21 Countries in 2025
Updated
Updated · UN News · May 29
UN Warns 9,788 War-Linked Sexual Violence Cases Hit 21 Countries in 2025
7 articles · Updated · UN News · May 29
9,788 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence were recorded worldwide in 2025, more than double 2024's total, with the UN saying the real toll is far higher because many abuses go unreported.
21 conflict-affected countries saw rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, trafficking and abductions used by state and non-state actors as tools of war, torture, terrorism and political repression.
Women and girls were the main targets, though men, boys and LGBTQI+ people were also attacked; the UN said displacement, collapsed support networks, small-arms proliferation and funding shortfalls worsened risks and hindered aid.
77 parties were listed for patterns of abuse, including 62 non-state actors; newly added were three armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, plus Russian and Israeli armed and security forces.
The report urged the Security Council and member states to widen humanitarian access, strengthen monitoring and prosecutions, and increase medical, psychosocial and legal support for survivors.
With powerful nations now on the UN's 'list of shame,' can international law actually deliver justice for survivors?
Beyond soldiers, are private mercenaries and their state sponsors the hidden drivers of escalating sexual violence worldwide?
2025 Sees Unprecedented Rise in Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: UN Highlights Worsening Global Crisis
Overview
In 2025, the world saw a sharp rise in conflict-related sexual violence, driven by a record number of violent conflicts and a widespread sense of impunity that made such crimes almost cost-free for perpetrators. The UN’s latest report expanded accountability by including Israeli and Russian security forces, highlighting verified cases of rape and sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees and Ukrainian prisoners of war. Displaced and refugee women and girls faced especially high risks, with the threat of sexual violence making it even harder for them to return home safely. This surge underscores the urgent need for stronger prevention, justice, and survivor support.