Content_paragraphs:  From March to April, MONUSCO verified 281 grave violations against children, 
  
  representing an increase of 27.6 per cent compared with the previous reporting period. 
  
  A total of 51 children, including 11 girls, were killed or maimed. Twenty-three of 
  
  these children were killed by armed groups during targeted attacks. Twenty girls were 
  
  raped or subjected to other forms of sexual violence. Eight rapes were attributed to 
  
  State agents, representing a drop of 11 per cent compared with the previous period.