10-day spate of S. Sudan rapes reported

JUBA, South Sudan — One hundred and twenty-five women and girls have been raped, whipped and clubbed in attacks so shocking that some aid workers in South Sudan say they are left speechless.

Doctors Without Borders on Saturday said the “dramatic increase” in sexual violence occurred over 10 days, between Nov. 19 and Thursday, as the women and girls walked to a food distribution site in Bentiu in Unity state. By contrast, the medical charity’s Bentiu clinic treated 104 survivors of sexual assault in the first 10 months of this year.

Sexual violence has been widespread in South Sudan’s civil war, and even under a recent peace deal humanitarians have warned of higher rates of sexual assault as growing numbers of desperate people try to reach aid.

A midwife with Doctors Without Borders who treated some of the survivors said those targeted include pregnant and elderly women and girls as young as 10.

The United Nations mission chief, David Shearer, said the “abhorrent” attacks were carried out by men in military uniforms and civilian clothing. The U.N. has increased patrols in the area and opened an investigation while urging authorities to hold the attackers accountable.

The international body that monitors the peace deal’s implementation said Saturday that it has opened an investigation into the reports.