The hidden scars of conflict and silence

Highlights

This report analyses sexual violence against children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2022 and 2025. It brings together national administrative data, UN-verified conflict-related data, and testimonies from survivors and frontline workers to provide the most comprehensive picture currently available.

It examines how sexual violence affects children in different contexts, including conflict-affected areas, communities, and households, and looks at who is most affected based on available data, the barriers survivors face in accessing care and justice, and the consequences for children’s health, safety, and development.

The report also assesses responses to the crisis to date and outlines priorities for progress in prevention, access to survivor-centred services, and accountability.