Sexual violence escalates in Haiti as the transitional government fails to protect victims of attacks, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) published on Monday.

The report argues that in recent weeks, criminal groups in Haiti have intensified attacks of sexual abuse against women and girls. According to presented data, in the last 10 months, 4,000 girls and women reported sexual violence, the majority of it committed by members of criminal groups. HRW argues this is only a fraction of the total cases as most go unreported. The violence has also targeted minors, with the cases involving children increasing by 1,000 percent compared to 2023. Nathalye Cotrino, crisis and conflict researcher at HRW commented on the role of justice by stating, “The rule of law in Haiti is so broken that members of criminal groups rape girls or women without fearing any consequences.”

HRW urges the transitional government of Haiti to ensure access to justice for girls and women survivors of sexual violence. Moreover, the government of Edgard Leblanc Fils shall strengthen the Haitian health system, avoiding further reductions in funding. HRW also calls for the international community to increase funding to support the MSS and improve the support for survivors of sexual violence.

International conventions obligate the transitional government to take action to protect its nationals. Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects all individuals’ inherent right to life. Moreover, concerns arise more specifically with international obligations such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which Haiti has ratified.

Haiti has been facing the effects of escalating gang violence and a humanitarian crisis in the past months. According to recent reports by the UN, in 2024 more than 3,661 people have been killed due to gang violence. The UN Security Council has already reauthorized the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti to assist the police force. Despite this, 80 percent of the capital city and its surrounding areas are still controlled by gang groups, as funding is limited. The lack of resources has also affected the protection and care services for victims of sexual violence. In Haiti, only 30 percent of health facilities remain operational in the capital.