The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the main and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), expresses its extreme concern about the persistence and worsening of sexual violence against women, girls and adolescents in Haiti. With the support of international actors, the State must strengthen its capacity to ensure the protection of victims and prevent further human rights violations.

Between 2023 and 2024, UN agencies recorded an alarming 1,000% increase in cases of sexual violence. Gang rape has become a more widespread phenomenon, with a decreasing age of perpetrators and victims.

Although this violence continues to be largely underreported for fear of reprisals, between January and June 2025, at least 1,000 rapes were documented, including gang rapes and cases of sexual slavery, particularly in areas controlled by armed groups.

Due to the disruption of security and justice systems, victims do not have access to institutions capable of providing comprehensive care services, protection measures and effective justice and reparation mechanisms. These deficits contribute to structural impunity and the breakdown of the rule of law, which perpetuate violence against women.

Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 1.4 million people have been displaced within the country, more than half of whom are children. Although temporary shelters have been set up, women, girls and adolescents continue to be at high risk of sexual assault, with these spaces being overcrowded and lacking adequate services to prevent and respond to this violence.

The IACHR urges the international community to work urgently with the Haitian State to implement prevention and protection measures and guarantee access to health services and legal assistance for victims, particularly in areas where temporary accommodation camps are located. She also urges the State to strengthen safe reporting mechanisms, which constitute an essential first step in carrying out investigations aimed at identifying and punishing the attackers and thus overcoming the impunity that characterizes these cases.

HL/ HaitiLibre