UK ‘must do more’ to prevent sexual violence in war

LONDON

The U.K. government must do more to prevent rape and other sexual crimes in at least 19 conflict zones around the world, British parliamentarians have urged.

A House of Lords report said sexual violence in wartime was “as prevalent, if not more prevalent, as it has ever been” and records showed it had increased since a global movement to eradicate it was launched by the actress Angelina Jolie and then U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague four years ago.

The report, which was published on Tuesday, said 45 groups in 19 warzones worldwide were “credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence”, according to the United Nations.

It added: “For far too long sexual violence has been regarded as just one of those things that occurs when there is conflict. It is not; it is a war crime, which must not, under any circumstances, be overlooked or condoned.

“Like genocide, slavery, torture and piracy, it must be eradicated.”

In 2012 Jolie and Hague jointly launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), a global campaign led by the U.K. to prevent sexual violence in wartime.

Emma Nicholson, chair of the House of Lords committee on sexual violence, said the PSVI had made an important contribution.

She said: “However, if that good start is not to be squandered, it is time for a clear strategic plan on how to take forward the battle against sexual violence in conflict. We need a five-year strategy with the PSVI’s work appropriately resourced and embedded across government.”