UN says sexual violence as weapon of war surged sharply in 2025

The United Nations has reported a dramatic increase in the use of rape and other forms of sexual abuse as weapons of war, with nearly 10,000 verified cases recorded across conflict zones worldwide in 2025.

Pramila Patten, the UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, presented the annual report at UN Headquarters, stating that documented cases of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism, and political repression rose sharply last year. The violence was marked by extreme brutality and overwhelmingly targeted women and girls.

According to the report, 9,788 verified cases were documented across 21 conflict-affected countries. However, Patten cautioned that this figure represents only a fraction of actual incidents, as many cases remain unseen and underreported.

The abuses documented include rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, trafficking, and abduction, committed by both state and non-state actors. While women and girls are the primary targets, the report also noted cases involving men and boys, often in detention settings as torture, as well as heightened risks for LGBTQI+ persons.

Victims ranged from children as young as one year old to adults up to 70 years, including persons with disabilities. The UN said the violence frequently includes killings after rape and suicides among survivors.

The report highlighted that armed groups and criminal networks continue to use sexual violence to assert control over territory and populations, particularly in fragile and resource-rich regions. Displacement, insecurity, and weakened protection systems have increased vulnerabilities, especially in border and remote areas. Humanitarian access restrictions and funding gaps are hindering documentation and support services.

The UN is calling on member states and the Security Council to strengthen prevention, accountability, and survivor-centred responses, including ensuring humanitarian access, expanding monitoring and sanctions, supporting investigations, and increasing funding for medical, psychosocial, and legal services.