Rape and other forms of sexual violence have long been part of the multitude of human rights abuses committed by different actors in Somalia, during more than two decades of conflict. As shown in this briefing, perpetrators operate with impunity in a situation of ongoing lawlessness. The Somali authorities must do more to ensure that women and children are protected from sexual violence and must send a strong and unequivocal message to both perpetrators and law enforcement officials that sexual violence cannot and will not be tolerated.
