Lawlessness during wars and civil conflicts can create a culture of impunity towards human rights abuses of civilians . Some irregular armies and militias tacitly endorse looting of civilian areas as a way for troops to supplement their meagre incomes , and promote pillaging and rape of civilians as a reward for victory . In 2008 , the United Nations Security Council argued that " women and girls are particularly targeted by the use of sexual violence , including as a tactic of war to humiliate , dominate , instil fear in , disperse and/or forcibly relocate civilian members of a community or ethnic group . " Refugees and internally displaced people who flee their homes during war and major disasters can experience human trafficking for sexual or labour exploitation due to the breakdown of economies and law and order . Speaking at the UN General Assembly in 2010 , the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women , its Causes and Consequences noted women 's particular vulnerability and increased risk of experiencing violence following disasters . Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake , large numbers of women and girls living in Internally Displaced Persons camps experienced sexual violence . The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recognized the need for state actors to respond to gender-based violence committed by private actors , in response to a petition by Haitian groups and human rights lawyers calling on the Haitian government and international actors to take immediate measures — like increasing lighting , security , and access to medical care — to address sexual violence against women and girls in the IDP camps
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Causes of sexual violence