Published on: 2026-06-19
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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Today, June 19, International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed worldwide. Today, this type of serious crime often affects children, crippling them for the rest of their lives.
In the conditions of modern armed conflicts, when mechanisms for the protection of civilians are weakened or completely destroyed, sexual violence becomes increasingly widespread and is often used as a deliberate tactic of war—to intimidate the population, establish control over it, or to force people to leave their homes.
Unsmoothed scars
The consequences of sexual violence for children are devastating and long-lasting. Victims face severe psychological trauma, physical health disorders, sexually transmitted infections, and early pregnancy.
“Children should never become targets in war. And protection is a legal and moral imperative,” said the UN Secretary-General in his message on the occasion of the International Day.António Guterres.
Social stigmatization only exacerbates the situation and makes it extremely difficult for victims to return to their communities. Young mothers and children born as a result of rape are at increased risk of exploitation and often become victims of human trafficking.
As conflicts around the world intensify, the head of the UN noted that the number of girls and boys who have survived rape, sexual slavery, and forced marriages is increasing. Many are subjected to violence during attacks on homes or at the moment of fleeing. Others are sought after, recruited as combatants, forced to witness brutal crimes, or even participate in them.
Legal liability and international obligations
International law categorically prohibits sexual violence against children. Such acts can be qualified as war crimes or crimes against humanity in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Resolution 1882 (2009) of the Security Council emphasizes the priority of the issue, foresees the inclusion of guilty parties in sanction lists, and strengthens global mechanisms of accountability and protection of children in wartime conditions.
“War very often deprives children of childhood. But together we can build a future in which every boy and every girl will grow up in safety and dignity,” concluded the Secretary-General.
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