Sexual Violence in Haiti: A Systematic Terror that's Left Women and Girls Traumatized
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has been plagued by rising levels of sexual violence against women and girls. According to a report published by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which analyzed 10 years of data from its clinic in Port-au-Prince, the situation has taken a drastic turn for the worse since 2021.
The capital city has become a breeding ground for gang-related violence, with murders, rapes, and kidnappings becoming an everyday occurrence. MSF's Pran Men'm clinic, which treats survivors of sexual violence, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of this violence on the population, particularly women and girls.
In recent years, nearly 17,000 survivors have been treated at the clinic, with a staggering 98% being women and girls. The number of cases has almost tripled since 2021, with over 2,300 cases reported in just nine months of 2025 alone. This represents a shocking increase in brutality, with 57% of survivors reporting assault by members of armed groups.
The victims often face multiple perpetrators, with some cases involving as many as 10 or more attackers. The violence is not only physically debilitating but also has severe psychological consequences. One survivor recounted the harrowing experience: "They beat me and broke my teeth... Three young men who could have been my children... After raping me, they raped my daughter... and beat my husband."
MSF's report highlights the persistent barriers to accessing services for survivors, including a lack of funding for protection services and financial difficulties. This not only hampers their ability to access timely medical care but also increases the risk of HIV transmission.
The organization is calling for more funding and recognition of the widespread nature of sexual violence in Haiti, which it says is being deliberately used by armed groups as a tool to control and subjugate women and girls. With over 250 cases reported at the clinic in just nine months of 2025, it's clear that something must be done to address this crisis before it's too late.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has been plagued by rising levels of sexual violence against women and girls. According to a report published by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which analyzed 10 years of data from its clinic in Port-au-Prince, the situation has taken a drastic turn for the worse since 2021.
The capital city has become a breeding ground for gang-related violence, with murders, rapes, and kidnappings becoming an everyday occurrence. MSF's Pran Men'm clinic, which treats survivors of sexual violence, has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of this violence on the population, particularly women and girls.
In recent years, nearly 17,000 survivors have been treated at the clinic, with a staggering 98% being women and girls. The number of cases has almost tripled since 2021, with over 2,300 cases reported in just nine months of 2025 alone. This represents a shocking increase in brutality, with 57% of survivors reporting assault by members of armed groups.
The victims often face multiple perpetrators, with some cases involving as many as 10 or more attackers. The violence is not only physically debilitating but also has severe psychological consequences. One survivor recounted the harrowing experience: "They beat me and broke my teeth... Three young men who could have been my children... After raping me, they raped my daughter... and beat my husband."
MSF's report highlights the persistent barriers to accessing services for survivors, including a lack of funding for protection services and financial difficulties. This not only hampers their ability to access timely medical care but also increases the risk of HIV transmission.
The organization is calling for more funding and recognition of the widespread nature of sexual violence in Haiti, which it says is being deliberately used by armed groups as a tool to control and subjugate women and girls. With over 250 cases reported at the clinic in just nine months of 2025, it's clear that something must be done to address this crisis before it's too late.
this is insane what's going on in Haiti these numbers are just heartbreaking and I'm so sickened by the fact that women & girls are being treated like this, used as pawns for armed groups... 17k survivors in 10 yrs is just a drop in the ocean considering how many more must be suffering silently 
it's not just physical harm but also psychological trauma... MSF needs more funding ASAP to provide protection services & medical care these girls need help & support ASAP 
I'm totally not surprised by this news 
. It's been obvious for ages that Haiti is a hot mess 
. I mean, who needs poverty and corruption when you've got gang-related violence and systemic terror? The fact that nearly 17,000 survivors have been treated at MSF's clinic in just 10 years is like, woah 
. And yeah, it makes total sense that armed groups are using rape as a tool to control women and girls. I mean, who wouldn't use that kind of power? 
But seriously, how can we expect anything to change when the system is just so... broken 
. Funding for protection services? More like funding for Band-Aid solutions 
. We need a real overhaul, not just some token recognition and money 
. And another thing, why are we only talking about the victims now? Where were these people 10 years ago when MSF first started reporting on this stuff? 
we need to do something about this ASAP. MSF is already doing some amazing work, but more needs to be done, like, funding and stuff 
. it's not just about the numbers, it's about the people, the lives that are being ruined by these gangs. we can't just sit back and watch this happen 
.
this is just heartbreaking what's going on in Haiti - all these young women & girls being traumatized by violence... it's like they're losing their childhood & their future. I keep thinking about that survivor who talked about her daughter being raped alongside her... 
sexual violence is a total epidemic and its affecting so many women & girls in haiti, leaving them with physical & mental trauma that can last a lifetime. 17,000 survivors have been treated at the clinic just since 2021 and that number has tripled to over 2,300 cases in 9 months of 2025 alone!!! it's crazy to think about how many people are being affected by this and how many more might be too afraid to speak out. we need to do everything in our power to support these survivors & help change the system that's allowing this to happen 
we gotta step up our game and make some noise about this crisis! 