119-hres525

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 525 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 525

Affirming the role of the United States in eliminating sexual violence 
 in conflict.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 June 20, 2025

 Ms. Meng (for herself and Ms. Salazar) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Affirming the role of the United States in eliminating sexual violence 
 in conflict.

Whereas sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war throughout history, 
 whether to subjugate, terrorize, or ethnically cleanse populations;
Whereas the term ``conflict-related sexual violence'' refers to any form of 
 sexual violence perpetrated against an individual that is directly or 
 indirectly linked to a conflict, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced 
 prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, 
 forced marriage;
Whereas the occurrence of conflict-related sexual violence directly correlates 
 with the resurgence of hostilities, militarization, the proliferation of 
 small arms and light weapons, mass population displacement, the rise of 
 violent extremism, the collapse of the rule of law and social support 
 systems, and a climate of impunity;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence has been considered a war crime, crime 
 against humanity, and an act of genocide and torture under international 
 jurisprudence;
Whereas, despite the numerous international resolutions, conventions, and 
 treaties, sexual violence continues to occur in many conflicts across 
 the world with almost total impunity;
Whereas recent conflicts have demonstrated that conflict related sexual violence 
 remains a significant risk in any conflict and the United States 
 Government has previously determined that armed groups have engaged in 
 widespread sexual violence;
Whereas, in 2023, 3,688 verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence were 
 committed, representing a 50-percent increase from previous reporting;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence remains underreported due to social 
 stigma, lack of accessible services, and the impunity of perpetrators. 
 For each case of conflict-related rape that is reported, an estimated 10 
 to 20 are not reported;
Whereas, in 2023, women and girls accounted for 95 percent of the reported cases 
 of conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas, in 2023, more than 1,470 cases were reported of conflict-related sexual 
 violence perpetrated against children, with many cases going unreported;
Whereas 72 million children live near armed groups that perpetrate sexual 
 violence against them;
Whereas sexual violence against children can be damaging to their physical and 
 mental health, in the near- and long-term, and can prevent them from 
 reaching their full potential;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence is also targeted at men and boys, 
 though high stigma leads to underreporting of conflict-related sexual 
 violence against men and boys and a lack of recognition and sufficient 
 support for survivors;
Whereas an individual's perceived sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, 
 socioeconomic status, or displacement status may increase their 
 vulnerability to becoming a target of conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas addressing the substantial gaps in the areas of prevention, 
 accountability, and compliance, are critical to promoting sustainable 
 peace;
Whereas many prescribed prevention measures, such as legal protections, codes of 
 conduct for armed groups, early warning systems, and accountability 
 measures are inadequately implemented and enforced;
Whereas prevention measures should be considered a peace and security imperative 
 that can help reduce the occurrence and reoccurrence of armed conflicts;
Whereas access to safe and effective health care, protection, shelters, 
 reporting mechanisms, are essential to meeting the needs of survivors, 
 and preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence;
Whereas rendering justice to survivors is a precondition for lasting 
 reconciliation and peace to take hold;
Whereas the lack of accountability for perpetrators emboldens them to strike 
 again, perpetuating and encouraging vicious cycles of sexual violence 
 even when a country emerges from conflict;
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence fosters global instability, exacerbates 
 humanitarian crises, and hinders long-term peace, while effective 
 prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence makes the 
 United States, and communities around the world, safer, stronger, and 
 more prosperous;
Whereas the United States recognizes that successfully preventing and responding 
 to conflict-related sexual violence requires meaningful participation of 
 women in peace and security processes;
Whereas the United States has served as a global leader in efforts to promote 
 and elevate women's participation in economic, civic, and security 
 decision-making and peace processes; and
Whereas, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 19 of each 
 year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in 
 Conflict to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-
 related sexual violence, to honor the victims and survivors, and to pay 
 tribute to all those who have devoted their lives to standing up for the 
 eradication of these crimes: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) affirms the leadership and commitment of the United 
 States Government in efforts to prevent and respond to 
 conflict-related sexual violence and to support and protect all 
 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;

    (2) recognizes that accountability for the perpetration of 
 conflict-related sexual violence is important for comprehensive 
 and lasting peace agreements;

    (3) calls on the United States to ensure mechanisms to hold 
 perpetrators of sexual violence accountable are included in 
 peacebuilding resolutions and processes, and that women 
 participate in such peace processes in accordance with the 
 Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68);

    (4) calls on the United States to commit to strengthening 
 justice for all conflict-related sexual violence survivors;

    (5) stands in solidarity with the survivors of conflict-
 related sexual violence, and those working to support them, to 
 ensure survivors are not forgotten and get the care they need 
 and deserve.
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