Skip to main content
Malawi: supporting sex workers to access healthcare

Sexual violence

Sexual violence affects millions of people, brutally shattering the lives of women, men and children. It is a medical emergency, but there is often a dire lack of healthcare services for victims.

No statistics on sexual violence provide a complete picture of the problem or its prevalence. Shame, fear, stigmatisation and many other obstacles prevent an unknown number of victims from receiving, or even seeking, treatment. And yet getting immediate medical care after sexual assault is critical in order to limit the potential consequences. In 2023, our teams treated over 62,200 victims of sexual violence; 22,300 more than the year before.

Quick facts about sexual violence

 
Violence in Buenaventura
Colombia

Buenaventura: “MSF fills a huge vacuum in helping victims of violence”

Interview 11 Feb 2019
 
Many people in the Platinum belt have family members working in the mines. Houses are often built close together in smaller, spread out neighbourhoods.
South Africa

Critical gaps in mental healthcare for survivors of sexual violence

Report 17 Dec 2018
 
Body Mapping as a mental health response to sexual violence
South Africa

The mental healthcare lottery faced by victims of sexual violence

Voices from the Field 17 Dec 2018
 
ENDURING BENTIU
South Sudan

125 women and girls seek emergency assistance in Bentiu after horrific sexual violence

Press Release 30 Nov 2018
 
Cécile (cropped Hero image)
Democratic Republic of Congo

Sexual violence committed by armed men in Kasai

Press Release 1 Nov 2018
 
Kasai Central, VSX Témoignage 1 (STILL)
Democratic Republic of Congo

"When I tell this story, I see a film playing before my eyes"

Voices from the Field 1 Nov 2018
 
Sexual violence in Bangui
Central African Republic

“The tip of the iceberg”: Stream of patients offer glimpse into scale of sexual violence

Project Update 7 Sep 2018
 
Rohingya New arrivals
Rohingya refugee crisis

“We don’t have anywhere else to go”

Voices from the Field 15 Mar 2018
 
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Rohingya refugee crisis

‘No one was left’ - Death and Violence Against the Rohingya

Report 9 Mar 2018
Advanced HIV management in Homa Bay
Medical Resource

MSF Field Research

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. All of these articles can be found on our dedicated Field Research website.

Visit site