Now the World is without Me: an Investigation of Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

An Oxfam-commissioned report reveals that sixty percent of rape victims in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were gang raped. The study shows a shocking 17-fold increase in rapes carried out by civilians between 2004 and 2008.

The report calls on the Congolese government and the international community to: ensure that quality care is available for women; Work to reduce sexual violence linked to military action; Build on the legal/justice initiatives taken to date, particularly “zero tolerance” for crimes and ensure that their protective deployments are tailored to local realities.