Conflict-related sexual violence against children both underreported and preventable
A comprehensive analysis by Feinstein Research Director and Professor Dyan Mazurana and Courtney Rosani examines conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against children, documenting alarming prevalence alongside persistent legal implementation failures. The report, part of the Missing Peace Series published by Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), reveals that while robust international legal frameworks exist, enforcement remains inconsistent.
Key findings demonstrate that CRSV is not inevitable but context-specific, shaped by armed group organization, strategic incentives, and local conditions. The analysis catalogs multiple violation forms: rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, sexual torture, and violence against pregnant girls and their fetuses.
Critical gaps remain in documentation, particularly regarding boys, children with disabilities, and diverse gender identities. The authors emphasize that effective prevention requires more than legal prohibition — it demands sustained investment in health, justice, education, and social systems alongside survivor-centered approaches that address long-term developmental harm and social reintegration.
