Sexual violence in conflict is widespread. It affects not only large numbers of women and girls, but also men and boys. In addition to the physical and psychological trauma suffered by survivors, sexual violence adds to ethnic, sectarian and other divisions. This engrains conflict and instability and undermines peacebuilding and stabilisation efforts. Yet the overwhelming majority of survivors never receive justice and face considerable challenges in accessing the medical, psycho-social or economic support necessary to help them rebuild their lives. A range of responses which address prevention, protection and access to justice are therefore required.

On 29 May 2012 the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI).  The UK believes there is more that can - and must - be done to combat this issue and particularly to address the culture of impunity for these crimes that has been allowed to develop. We must replace this culture of impunity with one of deterrence.  At the same time we must shift the balance of shame away from survivors to the perpetrators of these crimes.

The UK is addressing this issue through a high-level political campaign, including the UK's Presidency of the G8 in 2013, supported by a range of practical measures, such as the development of an International Protocol on the Investigation and Documentation of sexual violence in conflict, targeted deployments of the UK Team of Experts to help conflict-affected countries address the issue as a tool of our wider country engagement, and financial support to the UN, the ICC and other organisations.