UNICEF reports a shocking escalation in sexual violence against children in Haiti, rising by 1,000% due to rampant gang activity. The organization highlights the urgent plight of over one million children facing constant violence as gang control exacerbates the country’s humanitarian crisis.
Alarming Surge in Child Sexual Violence in Haiti Amid Gang Control
Alarming Surge in Child Sexual Violence in Haiti Amid Gang Control
UN warns of a 1,000% rise in sexual violence against children as gang control leads to harsh realities in Haiti.
The United Nations has sounded the alarm over a dramatic increase in sexual violence against children in Haiti, which has surged by 1,000% in just a year, according to UNICEF. The Caribbean nation continues to struggle under the oppressive control of gangs, resulting in widespread brutality against its citizens. UNICEF spokesman James Elder highlighted the horrifying reality that children's bodies have been turned into "battlegrounds."
In Port-au-Prince, it is estimated that 85% of the city is now gang-controlled, leaving over one million children in a precarious situation amidst rampant threats of violence. Elder shared the harrowing story of a 16-year-old girl who was abducted by armed men while shopping. She was subsequently beaten, drugged, and sexually assaulted before being released approximately a month later when her family could not meet the gang’s ransom demands.
This environment of terror has contributed to a complete collapse of law and order, a deteriorating health system, and a burgeoning food insecurity crisis, with over 5,600 deaths linked to gang-related violence reported last year alone. Concurrently, Haiti's transitional presidential council, tasked with organizing overdue elections and restoring democratic processes, remains paralyzed, further deepening the country’s turmoil.
Additionally, UNICEF noted the alarming trend of children's recruitment into gangs, with some as young as eight forced into this life. For many Haitian children, the basic necessities for a healthy childhood are increasingly scarce, with schools and hospitals on the verge of collapse and tens of thousands of children unable to attend school.
To address these pressing issues, UNICEF has initiated mobile safe spaces in Haiti aimed at protecting children and reducing instances of sexual violence. However, their efforts are severely hindered by funding shortfalls; the agency's appeal for $221.4 million saw only a quarter of that amount raised last year. Concerns have now arisen that ongoing freezes in U.S. foreign aid will further neglect humanitarian needs in Haiti, leaving countless children at risk.
