Sexual assaults against women continue in refugee camps in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many women in the camp stated that armed people abused and sexually assaulted them, while many others were reluctant to speak.
Niyibizi Gafumberi, a victim in the camp, said that she was raped and then stabbed by gunmen on her way to buy some firewood. She also said that her child starved to death and that she did not have the money to meet her needs.
Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated that she discussed the problem with the regional governor and that they will cooperate with the state and central governments to find a solution. She also stated that they documented 701 cases of sexual violence last year and that most of the victims did not report due to social pressure.