Sexual violence surges in Haiti as gangs use rape to control population

[IwantToRetire]

Reports of sexual violence almost doubled in Haiti over the past three months, with gangs vying for territory using rape to subjugate residents, the United Nations has warned.

At least 628 victims reported sexual attacks in the capital and central Haiti between April and June – up from 333 victims in the first three months of the year, according to new findings released by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The agency warned that the true number is likely far higher due to “persistent under-reporting”.

Article continues at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/sexual-violence-surges-in-haiti-as-gangs-use-rape-to-contro/

Archive link for those that want it: https://archive.ph/9CMMq

That's horrendous, Iwant. I am always shocked by sexual violence in conflict areas. Even though I've read about it so often I feel like I should be inured to it. Hard to know what will work when a country is in a state of anarchy like that. Sudan seems similar.

I first saw it as a tv news report. It was really disturbing.

I have heard in the past about the breakdown in law and order in Haiti and I suppose I didn't want to think that through to what that would mean for women.

But just as in was and natural disasters, it is women (and children) who are the first victims.

And sadly there are other parts of the world where women are vulnerable.

But to see a main stream paper spell it out that rape is being used as a weapon of control is maybe an acknowledgement that women and girls are always the casualties of male violence.

When our bodies become battlegrounds

Today’s wars don't just rage on battlegrounds; they invade homes, shatter families and communities, and steal futures. They don't just infringe upon rights; they systematically rip away the very essence of human dignity, leaving behind a profound and lasting scar on the lives of many people.

Even wars have rules, but oftentimes, they are not respected. War crimes and crimes against humanity that target civilians remain widespread. One of the most egregious and devastating war crimes is the use of sexual violence, such as rape, sexual slavery and forced prostitution, as a tactic of war.

Sexual violence in conflict is often employed to instill fear, humiliate, dominate and break down the social fabric of communities. While women and girls bear the overwhelming brunt of this violence, its harmful impact extends to many others. The effects of conflict-related sexual violence echo across generations, manifested through physical and psychological trauma, stigma and poverty.

https://www.un.org/en/peace-and-security/page/conflict-related-sexual-violence

I read an article a couple of years ago that during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo something like 50% of women had experienced sexual assault used as a weapon of war.

I'm never not shocked by this, I'm never surprised, but always shocked. The action of shooting someone is horrific, but the action is very short. Whereas to rape takes a whole other approach that I just can't fathom.

Exactly the same. Possibly a large part of that is denial. No part of me can understand it.

Horrific news. And it's happening in so many places.

This happened earlier this year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgyrxz4k6zo

NB - for anyone who didn't read about this at the time, you may find the details very disturbing.

Rape in war is two-fold. One it is to humiliate the males of the enemy, thus women are seen as possessions. Second, it is a form of genocide intending to replace the genes of the enemy population.

Is Reem Alsalem the only Special Rapporteur on VAWG at the UN? It seems such an enormous issue.

Just grim. Those poor women and children, men too probably. The shocking things that the Russians did to the captured Ukrainian soldiers leaves me unable to understand humanity sometimes. .

I think on one level everyone knows this is something that always happens in areas of war and conflict.

And the attempts to somehow stop this, just haven't worked.

And what makes it worse is people who then use this violence against women to try and exploit it to suit their political loyalties.

And I know it was all a bit strange and many feminists sneered, but the attempt by Angelina Jolie and William Hague (!!) to get nations to unite was at least an attempt. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-to-stop-rape-as-a-weapon-of-war

(I went to the very high profile international meeting about this held somewhere in London's Docklands, and some truely amazing women's groups had come from Africa and Asia. They were all so dedicated. I suspect in any other country local feminist would have organised a social gathering or unofficial event to groups to meet up with each other. But too many were instead refining their points of criticism, rather than operating on a grass roots, lets meet up level. Sad that professional feminists would snub other women on the basis of their parochial political allegiances.)

The situation in Haiti is continuing to get worse. There needs to be International outrage
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15506181/Rape-hell-Haiti-Sex-attacks-triple-gang-violence-surges-100-victims-raped-ten-people-time.html
The last article I can find on the BBC is from July 2025: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07d3m3xk32o
It is heartbreaking that it isn't getting more attention.