Civilians in conflicts worldwide are being subjected to sexual, as well as physical, violence. Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Darfur are some of the countries that have witnessed mass rape of men, women and children. In a recent report by MSF in Darfur, nearly 300 women attended a health clinic in a five-month period having been raped, a third by more than one individual. The number of women raped is probably about 15 times higher than the 300 who attended the clinic. Many raped individuals were cast out from their families or even jailed by the police for having illegal pregnancies (unmarried women can be prosecuted for falling pregnant under Sudanese law).

Doctors and counsellors report being overwhelmed by the number of victims. New UN resolutions require more frequent updates on the fate of women and children in war. However, victims are now speaking out and trials are taking place. An arrest warrant (including charges of rape) was recently issued for the Sudanese president. It is the bravery of victims that is slowly bringing perpetrators to justice; that cannot happen a moment too soon.

• economist.com 2009; 19 February
• news.bbc.co.uk 2009; 4 March
• doctorswithoutborders.org 2005
• globalization101.org 2006; 12 December