Please refer to the attached file.
Since the start of Insecurity Insight’s Reporting Sexual Violence monitoring in January 2020 and April 2026, at least 2,398 publicly reported incidents of conflict-related sexual violence have been recorded. So far in 2026, incidents have increased in Cameroon, from 14 cases in 2025 to 16 between January and April 2026, with high numbers recorded in the South West region. This reflects the continued volatility in the region, where ongoing armed conflict between government forces and Ambazonian separatist groups has contributed to repeated exposure of civilians to insecurity, including reported attacks, abductions, and sexual violence, alongside persistent gaps in civilian protection and limited accountability in contested areas. Download the data (updated every Monday). Contact us for data enquiries.
Developments in May 2026
Cameroon: In May 2026, reported incidents in South West and North West regions indicate continued sexual and gender-based violence affecting civilians, particularly women, amid ongoing insecurity. In South West region, Ambazonian Separatists from the Red Dragons faction sexually assaulted a woman in her home in Lebialem while Cameroonian forces reportedly raped an unspecified number of women in Fako. In North West, a university student was abducted, detained, and subjected to prolonged sexual violence before being found in severe distress, with evidence leading to arrests and an investigation. See Cameroon section for more details.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Incidents reported in May 2026 underscore persistent and geographically widespread protection risks facing women amid both armed group violence and urban insecurity. In North Kivu, armed Wazalendo elements tortured and sexually assaulted a woman during a nighttime home invasion, with her children also reportedly abused, while in another incident a member of the UPLC sexually assaulted a young woman. In Kinshasa, armed bandits attacked a residential compound and raped multiple women. See DRC section for more details.
Occupied Palestinian Territory: On 18 May 2026, Israeli forces intercepted at least 50 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters near Cyprus, detaining approximately 430 activists from more than 40 countries and transferring them to Israel. While detainees were reportedly held without access to lawyers, consular assistance, or contact with their families, the most serious allegations emerging from those later released concern sexual violence in detention, including claims of sexual assault and rape, alongside accounts of physical abuse. Several activists reported being hospitalised due to injuries following their release. See Occupied Palestinian Territory section for more details.
Reporting Sexual Violence
By state bodies or conflict actors that particularly targets IDPs and refugees, aid, health workers or educators or students among others.
Africa
Cameroon
04 May 2026: In Alou town, Lebialem division, South West region, a woman was sexually assaulted by Ambazonian Separatists from the Red Dragons faction in her home. Source: Personal Communication
21 May 2026: In Lykoko Munyenge village, Muyuka area, Fako division, South West region, an unspecified number of women were raped by Cameroonian forces. Source: AgovC HHS Department
23 May 2026: In Bamenda city, North-West Region, a 20-year-old first-year student at the College of Technology (COTEC) of the University of Bamenda was abducted after being lured off campus by two female acquaintances. She was taken to a home in the Avenir neighbourhood, where she was allegedly drugged, held captive for several days, chained, tortured, and subjected to sexual violence by multiple men. She was later found in a state of severe distress near Custom Junction after one of the alleged perpetrators contacted her family. Evidence reportedly recovered from a mobile phone, including a video and deleted messages, helped identify suspects and the location where the abuses allegedly occurred. Two suspects were arrested and an investigation was launched. Source: Camer.Be
Central African Republic
As reported on 04 May 2026: In Mbaiki town, Lobaye prefecture, an unspecified number of people were sexually assaulted by unidentified armed men. Source: Radio Ndeke Luka
06 May 2026: Near Ngaoundaye sub-prefecture, Ouham Pende prefecture, a 35-year-old woman was raped by seven armed Fulani herders in her field. The woman is being treated at a local health center. Source: RJDH
10 May 2026: In Yabouni village, Zotoua commune, an unspecified number of young girls and women were subjected to attempted abductions and sexual assaults by former members of the 3R group. Source: Corbeau News
13-19 May 2026: In Haut-Mbomou prefecture, three people, including a teenage girl, were raped by members of an unidentified armed group. Source: OCHA
19 May 2026: In Tallah village, Birao Sub-prefecture, Vakaga prefecture, a young girl was sexually assaulted in a field by farmers. Villagers reportedly attributed the assault to members of a group of nomadic Fulani pastoralists, triggering violent clashes between local farmers and herders. Source: Corbeau News
Chad
23-24 May 2026: In Baya neighbourhood, Moissala city, Barh Sara department, Mandoul region, a 57-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in her home by three men wearing military uniforms. One of the perpetrators threatened her with a firearm. Source: Tchad Infos
Democratic Republic of the Congo
04 May 2026: In Masuli cells, Bwinongo neighbourhood, Mususa commune, Butembo city, North Kivu province, a woman was tortured and sexually assaulted by armed Wazalendo men after breaking into her home at around 0100hrs. Her two children were also abused. Source: La Prunelle
12 May 2026: In Ngazi village, Beni territory, North Kivu province, a 20-year-old woman was reportedly sexually assaulted by a Union of Patriots for the Liberation of Congo (UPLC) member. The perpetrator was arrested by other Wazalendo members. Source: ACLED1
26 May 2026: In Ngaliema commune, Lukanga commune, Kinshasa city, an unspecified number of women were raped during an attack carried out by armed bandits between 0300-0400hrs on a residential compound near REKA College. The perpetrators were armed with firearms, machetes, and other tools used to force entry into homes. Radio Okapi
Ethiopia
As reported on 01 May 2026: In Adama (Nazret) city, East Shewa zone, Oromia region, an unspecified number of women were sexually assaulted by members of the ENDF who were deployed in the city under the direction of the Oromia Region President. Source: Amhara Association of America
07 May 2026: In Bugna woreda, North Wollo zone, Amhara region, a nine-year-old girl was abducted and sexually assaulted by members of the ENDF. She was reported missing. Source: Amhara War Updates
20 May 2026: In Nefas-Mewcha town, Lay-Gayint woreda, South Gonder zone, Amhara region, a 12-year-old girl was raped multiple times by ENDF members. First by a riot dispersal forces (RDF) soldier who threatened her with his firearm and led her to a house. The girl received medical treatment in hospital. Source: Amhara Association of America
24 May 2026: In Mai Kogo village, Kuki ward, Dustnima local government area, Katsina state, an unspecified number of children were reportedly sexually assaulted by Katsina militia. Source: ACLED1
28 May 2026: In Jejolla village, Amaro special woreda, South Ethiopia region, three girls were reportedly publicly stripped and forced to walk naked by unidentified armed men. Source: ACLED1
Kenya
08 May 2026: In Ndumberi village, Kiambaa area, Kiambu County, a male councillor was abducted by at least 15 unidentified armed men. During his captivity, he was physically assaulted, forcibly stripped naked, photographed, threatened with castration, and had his genitals squeezed. The incident was allegedly motivated by political intimidation. Source: Tuko
Nigeria
As reported on 24 May 2026: In Umuadara village, Umulogho autonomous community, Obowo local government area, Imo state, a student nurse was raped and killed with a knife inside her room in the College of Nursing Science after a tyre technician and an accomplice forcefully entered her dorm. The attack reportedly followed the nurse’s rejection of romantic advances from the technician. The technician was arrested by police and confessed that both men raped the nurse. Source: Sahara Reporters
South Sudan
06 May 2026: In Souk Zande area, Juba payam and county, Central Equatoria state, a 24-year-old girl was raped by unidentified armed men in her home at night. Source: Radio Tamazuj
Asia
Afghanistan
13 May 2026: In Pasinak village, Kiti district, Daykundi province, a woman and her daughter were raped by men wearing Taliban military uniforms, who entered their house on the pretext of conducting a search operation at around 0200hrs. The husband was tied up and physically assaulted. The incident was investigated but Taliban officials denied the accusations. Source: Kabul Now
India
18 May 2026: In Bakshi Ka Talab area, Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh state, a female student was drugged and raped by a doctor at Tejas Hospital, leading to his arrest and the suspension of his medical license. Source: The Times of India
Kazakhstan
In the week of 01 May 2026: In Uralsk city, West Kazakhstan region, a woman was raped in her home by a police officer who was on-duty responding to a neighbour’s noise complaint. The perpetrator was arrested and placed in a temporary detention facility. Sources: Informburo and Orda
Myanmar
15 May 2026: In Tasing village, Saw township, Magway division, a 34-year-old woman was raped and killed by a group of soldiers under the 99th Division who temporarily stationed themselves in the town. Source: Khit Thit Media
Middle East and North Africa
Occupied Palestinian Territory
18 May 2026: In international waters off the coast of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles from Gaza Strip, at least 50 boats with the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid for Gaza were intercepted by Israeli forces. 430 activists from over 40 countries were reportedly unaccounted for, without access to lawyers, consular assistance, or contact with their families. Activists were transferred to Israeli vessels and taken to Israel. An unspecified number of activists were released from custody on 21 May; some reported abuse, with several hospitalised with injuries, and at least 15 detainees were sexually abused, including rape. One female activist reported that she was physically and sexually assaulted while another activist reported that she was stripped of her clothes and subjected to repeated physical abuse. Sources: BBC, PBS News, Quds News Network, Quds News Network I and The Guardian
The Americas
Brazil
17 May 2026: In the Avenida Brasília area, Londrina city, Paraná state, a man was physically assaulted, tied up, left naked, and abandoned unconscious overnight. Source: GPlay
22 May 2026: In Denise municipality, Mato Grosso state, a 22-year-old man was raped by military police officers after being arrested during a drug trafficking operation. An investigation was opened into the allegations. Source: Jornal Cidade MT
Colombia
22 May 2026: On Troncal del Caribe road, Santa Marta municipality, Magdalena department, two men accused of robbery were detained, stripped naked and forced to run naked by ACSN members. Source: ACLED1
Mexico
02 May 2026: On Calle Encinos Street, Fraccionamiento Hacienda San Pablo neighbourhood, Tecate municipality, the bodies of two men and one woman were found inside a vehicle, naked with signs of violence. Source: La Voz
Venezuela
As reported on 20 May 2026: At the Instituto Nacional de Orientación Femenina (INOF) prison in Los Teques city, Miranda state, a female political prisoner was physically assaulted and raped by at least 30 prison guards. Source: El Diario