•HRES 1210 IH 
ther complicated the pursuit of justice and redress as the 
work of investigators, judges, prosecutors, and lawyers 
was impacted; 
Whereas women and girls in congested refugee and displace-
ment settings were among the hardest hit by the inter-
secting crises of COVID–19 and conflict, facing elevated 
risks of sexual violence, child marriage, exploitation, and 
trafficking, a situation that was exacerbated by an overall 
decline in humanitarian reach and resources; 
Whereas an individual’s gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, 
socioeconomic status, or displacement status may in-
crease their vulnerability to becoming a victim of conflict- 
related sexual violence; 
Whereas harmful cultural and social norms related to honor, 
shame, victim blaming, and gender discrimination persist 
as both a root cause of sexual violence and an obstacle 
to effective prevention and response efforts; 
Whereas conflict-related sexual violence is also targeted at 
men and boys; 
Whereas a staggering number of children living in conflict 
areas are living near armed groups that perpetrate sexual 
violence; 
Whereas, since 2006, more than 20,000 cases of conflict-re-
lated sexual violence were perpetrated against children; 
Whereas sexual violence against children can be especially 
damaging to their physical and mental health, both in the 
near- and long-term, and can prevent them from reaching 
their full potential; 
Whereas access to safe and effective emergency health care, 
clinics and shelters, reporting mechanisms, justice, and 
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•HRES 1210 IH 
redress for victims are essential to eliminating sexual vio-
lence in times of conflict; 
Whereas the United States recognizes that successfully elimi-
nating conflict-related sexual violence requires meaningful 
inclusion of women in peace and security processes; 
Whereas the United States continues to serve as a global 
leader in efforts to promote and elevate the women’s par-
ticipation in economic, civic, and security decisionmaking 
and peace processes; and 
Whereas, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly pro-
claimed 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 
conflict-related sexual violence to support and pro-
tect survivors of, conflict-related sexual violence; 
(2) calls on the United States to ensure mecha-
nisms to hold perpetrators of sexual violence ac-
countable are included in peacebuilding resolutions, 
and that women participate fully in such peace proc-
esses in accordance with the Women, Peace, and Se-
curity Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–68); 
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•HRES 1210 IH 
(3) calls on the Secretary of State and the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development to commit to strengthening 
legal reforms and justice for all conflict-related sex-
ual violence survivors, including as part of transi-
tional justice processes, while also advocating for 
women’s safe and meaningful participation in such 
processes; 
(4) recognizes that no peace agreement can be 
comprehensive if the weapon of conflict-related sex-
ual violence continues unchecked; and 
(5) stands in solidarity with the survivors of 
conflict-related sexual violence, and those working to 
support them, to ensure they are not forgotten. 
Æ 
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