Sexual Violence Crisis in Haiti Triples as Gang Control Spreads, MSF Reports
The number of sexual abuse cases treated at a clinic in Haiti's capital has tripled over the past four years, according to a stark warning from the health charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). This alarming surge coincides with escalating gang violence that now dominates an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, creating a humanitarian catastrophe marked by widespread terror and displacement.
Shocking Increase in Cases and Severity
Doctors Without Borders expressed being "alarmed and outraged" by the overwhelming levels of sexual and gender-based violence. Diana Manilla Arroyo, MSF's head of mission in Haiti, highlighted in a phone interview that the extent of the increase has shocked the organisation, noting it is "not only the numbers, but the severity" of the attacks.
The Pran Men'm clinic, operational for a decade in Port-au-Prince, has treated nearly 17,000 patients, with 2,300 cases in the first nine months of last year alone. More than half of these patients were assaulted by multiple members of armed groups, with the charity reporting an average of three perpetrators per case. Disturbingly, over 100 individuals were attacked by 10 or more perpetrators simultaneously.
Changing Demographics and Displacement Risks
The profile of survivors has shifted significantly. Before 2022, half of all cases involved patients under 18, but this has dropped to 24% today. Conversely, cases in the 50-80 age range have increased sevenfold, indicating that no demographic is spared from the violence.
Gang violence has displaced a record 1.4 million people across Haiti, according to the United Nations, with those in makeshift shelters at particular risk. A 34-year-old woman quoted in the report described how young women and boys are mixed in shelters, forcing mothers to stay vigilant as children can become targets for rape at any moment. Nearly 70% of those seeking help after sexual abuse in early 2025 were displaced individuals.
Armed Groups Using Violence for Control
Experts assert that gangs are resorting to sexual abuse to instil fear and exert control during kidnappings, territorial takeovers, and to manipulate humanitarian aid distribution. Manilla stated that "armed groups are using sexual violence to terrorize, control and subjugate communities." One harrowing account from a 53-year-old woman detailed being raped by three men young enough to be her children, who also assaulted her daughter after beating her and breaking her teeth.
Barriers to Care and Support
Fear and stigma persist, with many survivors avoiding reporting due to a lack of faith in Haiti's police and justice system. Additionally, civilians risk beatings or death from vigilante groups if perceived as associated with gangs, further deterring medical care. Since 2022, the proportion of survivors seeking help at the clinic within three days of an attack has halved, from almost two-thirds to one-third, leading to nearly 70% arriving too late for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis.
Similarly, those seeking care within five days dropped from 72% to 41%, meaning nearly 60% missed opportunities to prevent unwanted pregnancies. MSF's clinic struggles to find shelters willing to accept patients, often rejecting women with children, pregnant individuals, or those needing medical care, leaving survivors exposed to the same risks that caused their initial trauma.
Local Efforts and Calls for Action
To combat stigma, local nonprofits like Nègès Mawon use arts, theatre, and music to help survivors process their experiences in safe focus groups. Coordinator Pascale Solages noted that while "it can be difficult," these initiatives allow survivors to understand their realities.
MSF has called on Haiti's government to allocate more funds for free healthcare and services for sexual abuse survivors. They recommend implementing a 24/7 government-operated hotline to provide confidential guidance and connect survivors to critical resources, addressing the immense barriers many face in accessing support and rebuilding their lives.
