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 2022, our teams treated over 39,900 victims of sexual violence; 3,100 more than the year before.
Quick facts about sexual violence
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/f/3/f/a/MSF17282.jpg)
Post-exposure prophylaxis is given to victims of rape within 72 hours to prevent HIV in case of exposure. Emergency contraception should also be given promptly to be most effective. Antibiotics are given to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and gonorrhoea, and vaccinations for tetanus and hepatitis B. The treatment of physical injuries, and psychological support are also part of the package of care.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![Sexual Violence in East Congo Sexual Violence in East Congo](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/1/8/b/2/MSF51637.jpg)
Sexual violence against men and boys includes rape, sexual torture and sexual slavery. Men and boys are even less likely to report sexual violence than women for fear of stigmatisation and because of the enormous taboo around the topic. As a result, sexual violence committed against men remains particularly invisible and under-reported, and how to adequately meet the needs of male victims poses a particular challenge for us.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/9/e/b/b/MSF40666.jpg)
Rape and other forms of sexual violence are often widespread in conflict settings, where they can be used to humiliate, punish, control, injure, inflict fear, and destroy communities. They may also be used to reward or remunerate combatants, to motivate the troops. But millions of people living in stable contexts are also affected by sexual violence. In these cases, the perpetrators are often acquaintances or family members of the victims.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
![](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/5/2/5/9/MSF126512.jpg)
Medical care is crucial in the 72 hours following rape to prevent the transmission of HIV and an unwanted pregnancy. Stigma, fear of the aggressor and of others finding out are some of the reasons victims may hesitate to seek care and often do not pursue follow-up care. The prevention and management of unwanted pregnancy is often their biggest concern, and is part of the care MSF provides. Emergency contraception is allowed in almost all countries; however, termination of pregnancy is – for a variety of reasons – more complicated.
![EMISUR 1 EMISUR 1](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/aa0680k6v555dg6g67vj3d6452h1torl.jpg)
Survivors of sexual violence in the Darién Gap receive care in Costa Rica
![Migrant camp in Matamoros Migrant camp in Matamoros](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/8l25mqa65ic4mx471c4s6e62fl4xh566.jpg)
Migrants in Central America and Mexico face violence and abuse
![DRC: The conflict provokes a new exodus to South Kivu DRC: The conflict provokes a new exodus to South Kivu](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/pb2hh7fuyb3qw6r11kxmom8j616sbuou.jpg)
Civilians caught in crossfire in North and South Kivu
![Migrant camp in Matamoros Migrant camp in Matamoros](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/315g4yv040212o766l0863214pb5lt38.jpg)
Violence, desperation and abandonment on the Central American migration route
![Medical consequences of the violence in Port-au-Prince Medical consequences of the violence in Port-au-Prince](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/rx4845484781ya3h88akbfv32q672b6y.jpg)
Scaling up medical activities amid chaos in Port-au-Prince
![Violence continues displacing and traumatising thousands in Cabo Delgado Violence continues displacing and traumatising thousands in Cabo Delgado](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/5gl5878e14m32036gq065jux8c477hcl.jpg)
Violence continues to displace and traumatise thousands in Cabo Delgado
![An abandoned alley in Mbawa camp An abandoned alley in Mbawa camp](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/m33bwskp4j1s0cc141xf86nm4t67than.jpg)
Surviving sexual violence in the camps of Benue
![Aerial view of the Bulengo IDP site Aerial view of the Bulengo IDP site](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/2t04s8sj67mctms50e8sk3474c5eussk.jpg)
Massive needs everywhere as displacement reaches unprecedented levels in DRC
![Doctors Without Borders alarms insufficient response to the rising migrant influx in Darien jungle Doctors Without Borders alarms insufficient response to the rising migrant influx in Darien jungle](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/x63lh4177l2lq8p2v1050to4062d7ccy.jpg)
Incidents of sexual violence spike for those crossing Panama’s Darién Gap
Research & Analysis
![Many people in the Platinum belt have family members working in the mines. Houses are often built close together in smaller, spread out neighbourhoods. Many people in the Platinum belt have family members working in the mines. Houses are often built close together in smaller, spread out neighbourhoods.](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/44w75dqia606btf3v85l48d7w4tg55iw.jpg)
Critical gaps in mental healthcare for survivors of sexual violence
![Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/l8l22t4ear7idrbj1dh7i0511dm0b4j1.jpg)
‘No one was left’ - Death and Violence Against the Rohingya
![SGBV Medical Emergency Haiti SGBV Medical Emergency Haiti](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/e5a5nu3ij4o2702h5d74ui66v6t5agg3.jpg)
Against their will: New report on sexual violence
![Untreated Violence Untreated Violence](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/CMS3/9/5/d/f/MSF173334.jpg)
Sexual violence in platinum mining belt a major driver of HIV
!["RETURN TO ABUSER" - Family and Sexual Violence Papua New Guinea "RETURN TO ABUSER" - Family and Sexual Violence Papua New Guinea](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/v06u4gr1bkxe8bc8a401f6ryk1m81k8f.jpg)
Return to Abuser
Care for victims of sexual violence, an organisation pushed to its limits: The case of MSF
Collecting data on sexual violence: what do we need to know? The case of MSF in the Democratic Republic of Congo
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/placeholder.jpg)
MSF denounces the sexual violence against migrants travelling to Europe
![Advanced HIV management in Homa Bay Advanced HIV management in Homa Bay](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/j306w4uf7mc4c2e7x8u6jn6r3rv5vcd5.jpg)
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