All Survivors Project ASP is an independent, impartial, international non-governmental organisation that seeks to support global efforts to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence CRSV , strengthen the national and international responses thereto, and ensure that the rights and dignity of all victims and survivors are respected and protected.
It is based on publicly available information and interviews with a limited number of key informants. In Somalia, CRSV continued to be perpetrated between , during both inter-clan conflicts and military offensives. Whilst women and girls, particularly those who are internally displaced, remain disproportionately affected by sexual violence, cases against men and boys were reported during this period.
In areas under Al-Shabaab control, sexual violence is reportedly used as a strategy of social dominance and punishment. The full scale of sexual violence during the reporting period remains unknown however the United Nations Assistance Mission to Somalia UNSOM was able to verify cases against girls and 19 women in ; against girls, 20 women and one boy in ; and against 32 women and girls and three boys in Additionally, an alarmingly high number of grave violations against children in Somalia were verified by the UN between and , including cases of sexual violence, four of which were against boys as highlighted above.
For example, sexual violence against boys detained on national security grounds, including sexualised torture and attempted rape, was documented by Human Rights Watch in and Somali refugees living in Kenya, including cisgender, gay and transgender men have also disclosed accounts of sexual violence, both pre-flight and in flight. In-flight sexual violence, including at borders and checkpoints, has also been documented. Men and boys fleeing Somalia are often required to pay official and unofficial armed border guards and armed groups during their journey and are at risk of physical and sexual violence if they are unable to do so.
These include the protection of human dignity Article 10 ; equality Article 11 ; and the right of access to a court and to redress for human rights violations Articles 34 and Justice still eludes the vast majority of victims and survivors of sexual violence in Somalia.
