[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 525 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 525
Affirming the role of the United States in eliminating sexual violence
in conflict.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 20, 2025
Ms. Meng (for herself and Ms. Salazar) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Affirming the role of the United States in eliminating sexual violence
in conflict.
Whereas sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war throughout history,
whether to subjugate, terrorize, or ethnically cleanse populations;
Whereas the term ``conflict-related sexual violence'' refers to any form of
sexual violence perpetrated against an individual that is directly or
indirectly linked to a conflict, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced
prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization,
forced marriage;
Whereas the occurrence of conflict-related sexual violence directly correlates
with the resurgence of hostilities, militarization, the proliferation of
small arms and light weapons, mass population displacement, the rise of
violent extremism, the collapse of the rule of law and social support
systems, and a climate of impunity;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence has been considered a war crime, crime
against humanity, and an act of genocide and torture under international
jurisprudence;
Whereas, despite the numerous international resolutions, conventions, and
treaties, sexual violence continues to occur in many conflicts across
the world with almost total impunity;
Whereas recent conflicts have demonstrated that conflict related sexual violence
remains a significant risk in any conflict and the United States
Government has previously determined that armed groups have engaged in
widespread sexual violence;
Whereas, in 2023, 3,688 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence were
committed, representing a 50-percent increase from previous reporting;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence remains underreported due to social
stigma, lack of accessible services, and the impunity of perpetrators.
For each case of conflict-related rape that is reported, an estimated 10
to 20 are not reported;
Whereas, in 2023, women and girls accounted for 95 percent of the reported cases
of conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas, in 2023, more than 1,470 cases were reported of conflict-related sexual
violence perpetrated against children, with many cases going unreported;
Whereas 72 million children live near armed groups that perpetrate sexual
violence against them;
Whereas sexual violence against children can be damaging to their physical and
mental health, in the near- and long-term, and can prevent them from
reaching their full potential;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence is also targeted at men and boys,
though high stigma leads to underreporting of conflict-related sexual
violence against men and boys and a lack of recognition and sufficient
support for survivors;
Whereas an individual's perceived sex, ethnicity, religion, disability,
socioeconomic status, or displacement status may increase their
vulnerability to becoming a target of conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas addressing the substantial gaps in the areas of prevention,
accountability, and compliance, are critical to promoting sustainable
peace;
Whereas many prescribed prevention measures, such as legal protections, codes of
conduct for armed groups, early warning systems, and accountability
measures are inadequately implemented and enforced;
Whereas prevention measures should be considered a peace and security imperative
that can help reduce the occurrence and reoccurrence of armed conflicts;
Whereas access to safe and effective health care, protection, shelters,
reporting mechanisms, are essential to meeting the needs of survivors,
and preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas rendering justice to survivors is a precondition for lasting
reconciliation and peace to take hold;
Whereas the lack of accountability for perpetrators emboldens them to strike
again, perpetuating and encouraging vicious cycles of sexual violence
even when a country emerges from conflict;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence fosters global instability, exacerbates
humanitarian crises, and hinders long-term peace, while effective
prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence makes the
United States, and communities around the world, safer, stronger, and
more prosperous;
Whereas the United States recognizes that successfully preventing and responding
to conflict-related sexual violence requires meaningful participation of
women in peace and security processes;
Whereas the United States has served as a global leader in efforts to promote
and elevate women's participation in economic, civic, and security
decision-making and peace processes; and
Whereas, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 19 of each
year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in
Conflict to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-
related sexual violence, to honor the victims and survivors, and to pay
tribute to all those who have devoted their lives to standing up for the
eradication of these crimes: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) affirms the leadership and commitment of the United
States Government in efforts to prevent and respond to
conflict-related sexual violence and to support and protect all
survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;
(2) recognizes that accountability for the perpetration of
conflict-related sexual violence is important for comprehensive
and lasting peace agreements;
(3) calls on the United States to ensure mechanisms to hold
perpetrators of sexual violence accountable are included in
peacebuilding resolutions and processes, and that women
participate in such peace processes in accordance with the
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68);
(4) calls on the United States to commit to strengthening
justice for all conflict-related sexual violence survivors;
(5) stands in solidarity with the survivors of conflict-
related sexual violence, and those working to support them, to
ensure survivors are not forgotten and get the care they need
and deserve.
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