Survivor of wartime sexual violence to address major summit in London
A former Ugandan schoolgirl abducted from her classroom and subjected to years of sexual violence by the Lords’ Resistance Army is to urge world governments to step up their efforts to stamp out rape as a weapon of war.
Angela Atim will make a plea to UN chiefs and ministers from 140 countries attending the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London next week [10-13 June] - the largest gathering ever held on the issue that will seek to secure practical action, including an international law enforced across all borders.
“Justice must prevail. To end sexual violence in conflict we must hold the perpetrators accountable. Such abuse is being committed today in many countries. I will tell the summit that enough is enough and ask it to act,” said Angela, who received counselling at World Vision’s Children of War Centre after escaping the LRA.
World Vision will use the summit to highlight the plight of survivors – those vulnerable individuals such as Angela and groups including children born of rape during conflict -- who do not receive the support and attention they deserve.
Angela, a project worker who today documents and support hundreds of Ugandan children born of rape, added: “If we all join together we can end sexual violence in conflict. Action begins with me, it begins with you.”
World Vision UK CEO Justin Byworth said: “The voices of survivors are often silenced – in their communities, in political dialogues and peace processes, and in justice systems. They must be at the forefront of the summit.
“We have a duty to ensure this unique opportunity does not become a talking shop but instead brings about real, permanent, positive change on the ground to the people who matter – inspirational survivors like Angela, and especially for children who are particularly vulnerable.”
He added: “We have a collective responsibility to end the culture of impunity that exists around sexual violence in conflict and we must take meaningful steps to prevent - not only respond - to sexual violence by addressing its root causes before, during and after conflict.”
Erica Hall, World Vision UK’s child rights expert, added: “Justice is an important part of the recovery process for survivors. And with added medical and psychological support - plus opportunities to become economically independent and an end to the stigma they face in communities - we can see more survivors like Angela: strong, powerful individuals living life to the fullest.
"Many survivors feel unable to come forward, including men and boys who acutely fear the stigma and shame that follows sexual violence. Yet sexual violence doesn’t appear as a result of the outbreak of war or political instability; sexual and gender-based violence is prevalent in communities long before conflict erupts, due to gender and power inequalities, and is exacerbated when conflict occurs,” she adds.