Verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence more than doubled worldwide in 2025 compared to the previous year, as per a UN report. The report highlighted a significant increase in cases of conflict-related sexual violence, particularly targeting women and girls. In 2025, a total of 9,788 cases were documented, a stark rise from 4,617 cases in 2024.
The UN report emphasized that the documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence represent only a fraction of the actual occurrences. Many violations go unreported due to ongoing conflicts, insecurity, and limited access for reporting and documentation. The report also pointed out challenges such as mission drawdowns and budget cuts affecting gender and women’s protection efforts.
The annual report listed a total of 77 parties, including both state and non-state actors, involved in conflict-related sexual violence across 21 affected countries. It identified two new state actors, the Israeli armed and security forces, and the Russian armed and security forces, along with three new non-state actors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2025, cases of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism, and political repression surged, amidst worsening political, security, and humanitarian crises. Civilians were subjected to various forms of sexual violence by state and non-state actors, including rape, gang rape, abductions, and sexual slavery. The report also highlighted the heightened risks faced by displaced, refugee, and migrant women and girls.
Sexual violence was observed as a tactic of terrorism, particularly in the context of abduction and trafficking in persons. The report noted instances of sexual violence in detention settings in countries like Israel, the State of Palestine, Russia, and Ukraine. Despite ongoing efforts, impunity for conflict-related sexual violence persisted in 2025, with a low level of compliance by parties to conflict with international norms.
