Advancing justice and inclusion for children born of Conflict-related sexual violence: a rapid evidence assessment

Abstract

This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA)
evaluates the immediate and long-term risks,
harms, and challenges faced by Children Born
of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
(CBoCRSV) in Low- and Middle-Income
Countries (LMICs). Conducted under the UK’s
Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Initiative (PSVI), the assessment addresses
three key research questions:
What are the primary risks, harms, and
challenges faced by CBoCRSV?
What interventions may effectively promote
their well-being?
How has research in this field evolved?
Through the analysis of 289 documents, the
findings of this REA reveal that CBoCRSV
commonly face severe social stigma and
exclusion, affecting their integration within
families and communities. Their family
dynamics are frequently strained, with limited
stable support. They are at higher risk of
somatic symptoms, depression, and identity�related challenges, that can lead to long-term
psycho-social and developmental harm.
Additionally, barriers such as lack of legal
documentation, financial constraints, and
societal discrimination often restrict their
access to education, healthcare, and basic
services. Cultural and religious beliefs were
also found to exacerbate their marginalisation.
Promising interventions include psychological
support programmes, legal advocacy,
community-based support, and educational
and economic inclusion initiatives. However,
these remain largely under-evaluated due to a
lack of empirical research. Significant gaps in
the literature include limited representation of
certain regions, a dearth of comparative
studies across conflict settings, and
insufficient data to capture the intersectional
and long-term challenges CBoCRSV face.
To address these gaps, the literature calls for
targeted action to strengthen participatory
approaches that engage survivors and
affected communities in policymaking, foster
international collaboration to standardise and
scale effective interventions, and invest in
systematic, ethical research to identify what
works. Recommended measures include
strengthened legal frameworks, enhanced
social support systems, economic inclusion,
and improved access to education and
healthcare. Together, these efforts aim to
create protective environments that reduce
risks, foster integration, and promote the
rights and well-being of CBoCRSV