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The ICRC's approach to sexual violence in armed conflict: In conversation with Peter Maurer

President of the ICRC

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2015

Abstract

In 2014, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) undertook a four-year commitment to consolidating and expanding its efforts to address sexual violence in armed conflicts and other situations of violence. In this Q&A, ICRC President Peter Maurer reflects on the complex nature of sexual violence and on some of the specific challenges involved, including identifying victims and assessing and adequately responding to their needs. He emphasizes the need for a proactive, multidisciplinary approach comprised of assistance, protection and prevention efforts, and explains how the ICRC intends to step up its efforts to better respond to and prevent sexual violence in the coming years.

Type
Q & A
Copyright
Copyright © icrc 2015 

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References

1 Editor's note: Guiding principles and operational standards are included inter alia in the ICRC “Frame of Reference on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence”, as well as in a guidance note on “Assessing and Responding to Sexual Violence ‘Extra Muros’ in Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence” (internal documents). Internal guidelines to address sexual violence in the specific context of detention are also currently being produced. More general guidelines are also relevant to guide our work with victims of sexual violence – these include internal guiding principles on humanitarian assessments, and the “Professional Standards for Protection Work Carried Out by Humanitarian and Human Rights Actors in Armed Conflict and Other Situations of Violence”, available at: www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/publication/p0999.htm.