Whereas sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war throughout history, whether to subjugate, terrorize, or ethnically cleanse populations;

Whereas the term “conflict-related sexual violence” refers to any form of sexual violence perpetrated against an individual that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage;

Whereas the occurrence of conflict-related sexual violence directly correlates with the resurgence of hostilities, militarization, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, mass population displacement, the rise of violent extremism, the collapse of the rule of law and social support systems, and a climate of impunity;

Whereas conflict-related sexual violence has been considered a war crime, crime against humanity, and an act of genocide and torture under international jurisprudence;

Whereas, despite the numerous international resolutions, conventions, and treaties, sexual violence continues to occur in many conflicts across the world with almost total impunity;

Whereas recent conflicts have demonstrated that conflict related sexual violence remains a significant risk in any conflict and the United States Government has previously determined that armed groups have engaged in widespread sexual violence;

Whereas, in 2023, 3,688 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence were committed, representing a 50-percent increase from previous reporting;

Whereas conflict-related sexual violence remains underreported due to social stigma, lack of accessible services, and the impunity of perpetrators. For each case of conflict-related rape that is reported, an estimated 10 to 20 are not reported;

Whereas, in 2023, women and girls accounted for 95 percent of the reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence;

Whereas, in 2023, more than 1,470 cases were reported of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated against children, with many cases going unreported;

Whereas 72 million children live near armed groups that perpetrate sexual violence against them;

Whereas sexual violence against children can be damaging to their physical and mental health, in the near- and long-term, and can prevent them from reaching their full potential;

Whereas conflict-related sexual violence is also targeted at men and boys, though high stigma leads to underreporting of conflict-related sexual violence against men and boys and a lack of recognition and sufficient support for survivors;

Whereas an individual’s perceived sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or displacement status may increase their vulnerability to becoming a target of conflict-related sexual violence;

Whereas addressing the substantial gaps in the areas of prevention, accountability, and compliance, are critical to promoting sustainable peace;

Whereas many prescribed prevention measures, such as legal protections, codes of conduct for armed groups, early warning systems, and accountability measures are inadequately implemented and enforced;

Whereas prevention measures should be considered a peace and security imperative that can help reduce the occurrence and reoccurrence of armed conflicts;

Whereas access to safe and effective health care, protection, shelters, reporting mechanisms, are essential to meeting the needs of survivors, and preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence;

Whereas rendering justice to survivors is a precondition for lasting reconciliation and peace to take hold;

Whereas the lack of accountability for perpetrators emboldens them to strike again, perpetuating and encouraging vicious cycles of sexual violence even when a country emerges from conflict;

Whereas conflict-related sexual violence fosters global instability, exacerbates humanitarian crises, and hinders long-term peace, while effective prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence makes the United States, and communities around the world, safer, stronger, and more prosperous;

Whereas the United States recognizes that successfully preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence requires meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes;

Whereas the United States has served as a global leader in efforts to promote and elevate women’s participation in economic, civic, and security decision-making and peace processes; and

Whereas, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 19 of each year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honor the victims and survivors, and to pay tribute to all those who have devoted their lives to standing up for the eradication of these crimes: Now, therefore, be it