Sexual violence is also a reality in Syria, the Central African Republic and ...

Sexual violence is also a reality in Syria, the Central African Republic and many other conflict areas. In South Sudan, the radio is even used to call for the rape of women based on their ethnicity. We totally agree with Ms. Bangura that sexual violence in conflict needs to be treated as a war crime, not as an unfortunate collateral damage of war. It is therefore up to us as Member States to end this scourge. It must be made clear that sexual violence is not only a United Nations issue but an issue that requires the leadership, national ownership and responsibility of States. National ownership is imperative because it is at the national level that Governments create a platform for awareness and outreach against those crimes. Governments, whether in conflict or at peace, have a primary responsibility to prevent any acts of sexual violence against women, children and men, and to ensure accountability for such crimes. That responsibility is transferred to non-State actors under whose control civilians are.