5,000 sexual violence cases reported in DR Congo

August 25, 2007 - (PANA) Some 5,470 cases of sexual violence have been reported between January and June 2007 in South-Kivu province of the DR Congo, according to reports by the local commission on sexual violence.

The report availed to PANA here Friday indicated that Kaniola region was leading with 1097 cases, followed by Walungu and Mwana, which respectively recorded 535 and 404 cases, Kamituaga and its neighbourhoods reported 256 cases while 9 cases were identified in Nyangezi.
Victims under 18 years of age represent 79 percent of cases, and 20 percent of the cases required surgical intervention.

The situation was not better in the east of the country, particularly South and North-Kivu where armed bandits belonging to various factions controlling the region continue to attack, rape and plunder villages.

The United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) spokesman, Kemal Saiki, condemned the escalating cases of sexual violence and aggression towards the UN peace Keepers, aid workers and the police in North-Kivu Province.

From:http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=15243