Reports of sexual attacks began as soon as fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and then First Vice President Riek Machar, erupted on July 8. More than 100 separate cases of sexual violence against unarmed innocent civilians have so far been recorded.
UNMISS said in a statement that the reported crimes include rape and gang rape by soldiers in uniform and by unidentified armed groups of men in plain clothes. Various locations have been involved, including the vicinity of the Protection of Civilian Sites near UN House.
Despite calls to all parties to cease from this kind of inhuman behavior, reports were still coming in, UNMISS added.
The Mission said that in order to improve the security of vulnerable communities, including women and children, patrols had been intensified around protection sites. Peacekeeping escorts for women and young girls were also being coordinated, to allow them to leave sites to collect food and other supplies.
It added that it was taking very seriously, allegations that UN Peacekeepers may not have rendered aid to civilians in distress adding that all peacekeepers had an individual and joint duty to act if any harm or abuse was being carried out.
Although a ceasefire was agreed between government and opposition in mid-July, fighting is continuing, which has led to thousands more displaced and rampant food insecurity.