Engaging with State Armed Forces to Prevent Sexual Violence: A Toolkit for ICRC Staff on How to Engage State Armed Forces in Dialogue on Preventing Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict

Addressing sexual violence in armed conflict is an institutional and operational priority, and the ICRC is strongly committed to strengthening its prevention work in this respect, including in relation to weapon bearers. Sexual violence is still widespread in today’s conflicts and it is imperative that ICRC staff tackle the issue, whether evidence of violence is available or not (i.e. a reversed burden of proof). With its vast network and privileged access to weapon bearers, the ICRC has a responsibility to make best use of its resources to increase respect for and implementation of the law about the prohibition of sexual violence.