The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution naming June 19 as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The purpose of the day will be to raise awareness of the global proliferation of conflict-related sexual violence, as well as to encourage support and compassion for survivors of this type of violence. The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said, “[t]his annual commemoration will serve as a global call to action for security, justice and service actors on behalf of survivors of sexual violence in conflicts all over the world.” Supporters of the resolution also hope it will lead to greater accountability for perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence.
Compiled from: Adopting resolution, UN creates International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict, UN News Centre (June 19, 2015).