UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Surge in Child Sexual Violence in Eastern DRC

Sexual violence against children has reached alarming levels amid escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

During the intense fighting in January and February, a child was reportedly raped every 30 minutes, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder revealed at a press briefing in Geneva on Friday. He described the situation as a “systemic crisis” rather than a series of isolated incidents.

Children account for 35 to 45 percent of the nearly 10,000 cases of sexual violence reported during the first two months of 2025. Survivors include children as young as toddlers, Elder said, highlighting the use of rape as a deliberate weapon of war and tactic of terror that devastates families and entire communities.

“These horrifying numbers are likely only the tip of the iceberg,” Elder warned, citing barriers such as fear, stigma, and ongoing insecurity that prevent many survivors from reporting abuse.

He called for urgent international intervention to address the crisis. “We need more robust prevention measures, survivor-centered support services, and secure, accessible channels for reporting abuse. Survivors must feel seen and supported by the world. And those responsible must be held accountable,” Elder emphasized.