students trained on sexual violence reporting mechanisms
UNPOL and the Congolese National Police held an awareness session for students at the University of Bunia to address sexual violence and academic harassment. The initiative aims to empower students to report abuse and combat the practice of exchanging sexual favors for grades.
Why it matters
Addressing sexual violence in academic settings is critical for protecting student rights and ensuring institutional integrity in conflict-affected regions.
In the face of persistent sexual and gender-based violence in Ituri …
… the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) Police known as UNPOL, in collaboration with the Congolese National Police (PNC), is stepping up prevention efforts among communities.
On Friday, August 7, 2026, an awareness-raising session brought together 34 students from the University of Bunia, including 11 young women, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge of their rights and the mechanisms available for reporting sexual violence.
For the organizers, information remains an essential tool for prevention.
By encouraging victims and witnesses to report abuse, awareness-raising activities help combat impunity and protect the most vulnerable.
In higher education institutions as well as schools, sexual violence remains a major concern.
Yet the issue often remains difficult to address because of fear, stigma, or power dynamics that discourage victims from reporting abuse.
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