Vice President Kamala Harris recently hosted an event focusing on reducing conflict-related sexual violence globally. During the event, she met with an Israeli lawyer who shared her harrowing experience of being sexually assaulted while held hostage in Gaza. The lawyer, Amit Soussana, was abducted during an attack by Hamas on Israel in October and later released during a ceasefire in November.
Harris expressed her concern that more such accounts of sexual violence may emerge as additional hostages are released. She highlighted the disturbing reports of rape and gang rape at the Nova music festival, where women were found naked, bound, and shot in the head. These atrocities underscore the urgent need to address conflict-related sexual violence.
The Biden administration is actively working to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, with Harris urging Hamas to accept a U.S.-backed proposal. She emphasized the importance of listening to survivors and holding perpetrators of sexual violence to account.
A United Nations report released in March found evidence of Hamas committing rape, sexualized torture, and other inhumane treatment of women during the 2024 attack. Harris acknowledged the historical use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and stressed the need for global accountability and prevention efforts.
The Biden administration has taken steps to address conflict-related sexual violence, including providing support to survivors, training militaries, and imposing sanctions on individuals associated with conflicts in various regions. However, Harris emphasized that more action is needed to combat these crimes effectively.
As the international community continues to grapple with the impact of conflict-related sexual violence, Vice President Harris remains committed to advocating for survivors, promoting accountability, and working towards a more peaceful and just world.
