Violence against children: Violence in the Congo: Even toddlers raped

The UN Children’s Aid Work Unicef ​​denounces the devastating violence against minors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Even toddlers in kindergarten age and younger would be raped there, reported Unicef ​​spokesman James Elder from Goma in the east of the country.

“During the most intense fighting phase, a child or a young person has been raped every half an hour,” he said. In January and February alone, 10,000 cases of rape and other sexual violence were reported, Elder reported. Up to 45 percent of cases affect minors.

The M23 rebel group has been moving in the region since the beginning of the year. With the support of Rwanda, she conquered the provincial capital Goma. More than 230,000 people have fled before the fights.

The consequences of cutting humanitarian aid

A 13-year-old girl had become pregnant after rape and had to endure a caesarean section because her body was too small for a normal birth, said Elder. The girl said to him in the hospital: “I’m a child, I don’t know how to be a mother.”

Because numerous countries have shortened their support for humanitarian aid, the survivors could no longer be adequately supported, said Elder. For example, many rape victims could not be treated to prevent possible HIV attachment.

“These girls and women suffer unimaginable agony and don’t even get the basic medical care they need,” complained Elder.