War and Conflict
How can we support refugees and people who experience sexual harm in war and conflict?
How do war and conflict settings amply the risks of childhood sexual abuse? And what happens when attempts at aid and support increase harm to displaced and vulnerable children and young people? Join Sophia (she/her), founder of Secrets Worth Sharing, in conversation with Charu (she/her), the founder and director of the All Survivors Project, as they discuss.
Your Hosts
Sophia — Founder of Secrets Worth Sharing
Sophia (she/her) is a survivor of child sexual abuse, designer and the founder of Secrets Worth Sharing, where she builds a community of having these difficult conversations with 'serious joy'.
Charu - Founder of All Survivors Project
Charu (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of All Survivors Project, a charity and research initiative supporting global efforts to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence.
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To recap
Things you should say/do to support your partner who experienced abuse
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Aid workers who attend war and conflict settings should have a good understanding of sexual violence, consent and boundaries and know what to do if sexual violence is witnessed, or if a disclosure is made. Sexual violence happens in direct conflict settings, such as with soldiers as part of war crimes, but also within spaces of refuge, like in family members’ homes, or among charity workers giving aid to survivors. Training should always be trauma-informed and address the nuances of childhood sexual abuse in war and conflict settings specifically. CAIM had some fantastic resources on this. Sadly, they are no longer running as an organisation however some resources are still available online.
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Ideally, a service should have signposting materials ready before a disclosure is made, so that support can be offered quickly and without delay. Disclosing sexual violence is a big deal, and sometimes survivors may disclose and then disengage from a service without knowledge of where they can access further help. Ensuring that signposting and referrals are done promptly is vital for ongoing support.
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Many displaced people who have fled to another country may not speak the local language and may rely on translation for support. In cases where their native language is less well-known, community members may be relied on for translation services. This could mean that survivors are less likely to fully disclose due to fears for their privacy and confidentiality within their community. Exploring alternative methods of translation may help survivors to feel safe in sharing their story.
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Consider things like the way you dress during engagement, the way you behave and cultural traditions surrounding physical contact — being sensitive and respectful can increase trust and help to build relationships with survivors. It’s important to show that you are an ally and that you truly want to build understanding and connection.
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Ensure that you are able to follow through on your promises, including referrals to services, offers of food and clothing and confidentiality. Failing to provide services you have already offered can lead to feelings of mistrust from survivors, resulting in withdrawal and a feeling that they can’t rely on anyone but themselves. Those who are refugees, asylum seekers or receiving aid are used to passing through many volunteers and systems, often without continued communication. If you promise to follow up on a situation of sexual abuse, ensure that you will to not add to the feeling of disappointment and vulnerability.
Things you shouldn't say
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All survivors are different when it comes to disclosure — some may take longer than others. Pushing somebody to tell you about their trauma before they are ready to do so could cause them to withdraw, make them less likely to tell you at all, or even be re-traumatising for the survivor. Do your best to create a non-judgemental, supportive space and allow survivors to disclose in their own time.
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When someone has experienced war, poverty and violence beyond our imagination, sexual abuse may be viewed as not as traumatic or serious as these other life experiences. But such comparisons are harmful and incredibly minimising for survivors. Every survivor is going to have a different relationship with their trauma, and you should never assume that one traumatic experience automatically trumps another. Instead of trying to create a hierarchy of trauma, we should be looking upwards at the powers that allow multiple forms of violence and oppression to persist.
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A survivor may consent to share their story with one individual or within one service, but that doesn’t automatically mean that they have consented to this information being shared elsewhere. Consent should be sought every time personal information is being shared — whether this is to a colleague, in a referral to another service, or in a wider media campaign. Consent is an ongoing process.
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Sexual violence is a gendered issue, meaning that is disproportionately affects women and girls, however men and boys are also at risk. Don’t default to only safeguarding girls — ensure that you are creating an open dialogue with boys, girls and people of marginalised genders so that you don’t accidentally shut down disclosures.
Additional resources and tips
All Survivors Project – a charity supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)
Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict – a 2025 exhibit by the Imperial War Museum exploring sexual violence in conflict
Private Papers of Dr J F Zilva – a compiled 2001 volume of copied letters and photographs written by a British teenage evacuee to her parents between 1940–1944
CAIM Project – a charity raising awareness of gender-based violence towards refugees (no longer operating)
Sexual Violence: A Tool of War – a document describing how sexual violence is used as a deliberate tactic in modern armed conflicts
Rape as a Tactic of War – a UNIFEM document exploring rape in conflict
Female genital mutilation (FGM) – information by the charity Brook on FGM
Children and armed conflict, Report of the Secretary-General covering the period from January to December 2023 – a 2024 United Nations report detailing violations against children during the Israel–Hamas War
Stripped, beaten and blindfolded: new research reveals ongoing violence and abuse of Palestinian children detained by Israeli military – a Save The Children report exploring the abuse experienced by Palestinian children detained by Israeli military authorities
“More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023 – a United Nations report on how Israeli forces have used sexual and gender-based violence and destroyed reproductive healthcare facilities in Gaza
Documenting the Truth in Ukraine’s war for future accountability – a United Nations article documenting human rights violations during the Russian invasion of UkraineTime to Think Again About Child Soldiers – an article and report by War Child on the reality of child soldiers
Penny Mares, The Vietnamese in Britain: A Handbook for Health Workers (Cambridge, 1982) – a guide for healthcare professionals explaining the cultural background, migration experiences, and health needs of Vietnamese communities living in Britain.
*Please note - in sharing resources mentioned by our co-hosts, we are not necessarily endorsing all of their content, but we do so to allow you to make up your own mind.
Production Crew / Special Thanks
Hannah, Head of Communications at the All Survivors Project
Jack, Alex and the team at the Imperial War Museum
