KINSHASA, 4 September 2025 – The number of children and women treated for sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) surged four-fold in the first half of this year as fighting escalated with some survivors facing unwanted pregnancies, stigma and suicidal thoughts, according to Save the Children.
Save the Children staff supported 2,702 child and women survivors of sexual violence between January and July this year compared with 612 in the same period a year ago [1] which reflected an increase in cases of sexual violence more broadly across the country.
Staff reported horrifying stories of children being raped together with their parents, and mothers being raped in front of their children.
Various conflicts in the country’s east, as well as attacks by different armed groups against civilians, have dramatically escalated earlier this year, leading to a surge in hunger, displacement, civilian casualties and cases of sexual violence. More than one million people have been displaced by violence in DRC this year.
Ana*, 17, from eastern DRC returned home with her family to her village having fled to a displacement camp when fighting broke out earlier this year. But two months after the family returned, armed men stormed their house during the night and dragged Ana from her bed and raped her. Her brother who had opened the door was shot dead on the spot, while the other family members were brutally beaten.
"I screamed, I begged for mercy, but no one listened," said Ana. "My brother was killed before my eyes. I was raped."
Ana was taken to the local health centre and supported by Save the Children where she was able to access medical assistance and psychosocial support.
While Save the Children can provide most survivors with urgent medical assistance, including anti-HIV PEP kits to prevent people from contracting the infection, stock shortages due to aid cuts and access constraints mean that in some cases survivors cannot receive care. This puts them at risk of sexually transmitted infections and other health complications.
The DRC’s Ministry of Health also reported a 16% jump in cases of sexual violence to about 73,400 in the first half of 2025 – almost one third of whom were girls aged under 16.
This has had a devastating impact on children. Staff at Save the Children supported health clinics reported regularly treating survivors who were facing unwanted pregnancies, health complications, stigma, and suicidal thoughts.
In June, Save the Children reported that aid cuts had dramatically reduced the support available to survivors of sexual violence among refugees who had fled from DRC to Burundi, despite cases among children more than tripling.
Greg Ramm, Save the Children Country Director in DRC, said:
“The four-fold increase in cases of sexual violence supported by Save the Children in eastern DRC this year compared to last year, highlights a deeply alarming humanitarian crisis in which women and girls are paying a heavy price.
“We are supporting survivors with mental health and psychosocial care, hospital referrals, and support groups to help protect young women and girls from sexual violence. Yet, the humanitarian community is facing severe shortages of PEP kits to prevent HIV infection following potential exposure. Funding is urgently required to get these lifesaving supplies to the survivors who need them most.
“Tragically we know that the number of cases we support is just a small fraction of the total, and that many more women and girls are left to face the lingering effects and a long road to recovery.
“All parties involved in the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law, to protect civilians, including children from violence. When a child is sexually assaulted, it speaks to the horrifying mismatch between the right to protection they are owed in conflict and the reality on the ground. We are calling on all parties to the conflict to prioritise the wellbeing of civilians and especially children.”
Save the Children has worked in the DRC since 1994 to meet the humanitarian needs of civilians affected by conflict. Save the Children has scaled up its rapid emergency and humanitarian response to support existing care systems, training local leaders and communities to prevent and respond to exploitation and abuse and ensuring access to healthcare through mobile clinics. It is also helping children access basic education by building classrooms, training teachers, and distributing learning materials.
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Notes:
*Name changed for anonymity
[1] Save the Children supported 612 survivors of sexual violence with medical, psychosocial, and socio-economic reintegration support in the first half of 2024. The comparison for 2024 also refers to the same half-year period. Save the Children supported 1,189 cases during the entire year 2024.
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