Sexual Violence in African Conflicts, 1989–2009: What the data show

This policy brief summarizes key trends in conflict-related sexual violence in 48 conflicts in 33 African  countries, encompassing 236 armed-conflict actors, including state armies, militias and rebel groups.

Findings from study area:

• Sexual violence was reported to be perpetrated by a minority of armed-conflict actors
• There was a slight increase over time in the share of actors that perpetrated sexual violence at a massive level
• African state armies were frequently reported as perpetrators
• Sexual violence was often reported when there were relatively few reported killings
• Sexual violence at times continued at  a high level in the post-conflict period

Recommendations

• Maintain a focus on the prevention of sexual violence
• Pressure all relevant actors  – and especially states  – to end their practice of committing sexual violence
• Do not lose sight of conflict actors that are not especially lethal, as such actors may still commit sexual violence
• Increase attention to sexual violence by armed actors in post-conflict settings