• Doctors Without Borders reports that sexual violence is a defining feature of the Sudan conflict.
• Between January 2024 and November 2025, over 3,396 survivors sought treatment for sexual violence.
• The Rapid Support Forces are identified as primarily responsible for the assaults.

In a new report, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) highlights that sexual violence has become a “defining feature” of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, with the report documenting that between January 2024 and November 2025, at least 3,396 survivors sought treatment in facilities supported by MSF. The vast majority of these victims—97%—were women and girls, targeted largely by armed men from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias. The detailed accounts reflect a crisis that is pervasive, far beyond the immediate conflict zones, indicating that sexual violence is systematically utilized as a weapon of war to control and terrorize civilians, particularly targeting non-Arab ethnic communities, according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.

Testimonies in the report depict horrifying experiences of survivors like Hanaan, who was raped by RSF members at a displacement camp, illustrating that sexual violence often occurs in public settings such as farms and markets. Reports indicate a targeted approach by perpetrators, strengthening the claim that sexual violence is an orchestrated tactic rather than random acts of brutality. The humanitarian implications are severe, with MSF emphasizing the urgent need for health and protection services in the region, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Furthermore, MSF reports that since the RSF took control of el-Fasher, many survivors have described the trauma they experienced while fleeing assaults, with sexual violence occurring not just on the front lines but as part of daily life in displaced communities. Ruth Kauffman from MSF noted, “This war is being fought on the backs and bodies of women and girls”, emphasizing the urgent humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold as traditional community support systems collapse amidst ongoing violence, according to Africanews.

The report also highlights the vulnerability of children, noting that one in five survivors was under 18, with cases of extreme violence including assaults on young children. The situation is compounded by barriers to medical care, stigma, and the absence of effective protective measures for survivors. MSF has called for greater international attention to the issue, urging all involved parties to cease and prevent such atrocities, according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.