Justice Denied: Fighting Widespread Impunity for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)​ and the Australian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria (AIIA VIC)​ are pleased to announce the upcoming international conference, Justice Denied: Fighting widespread impunity for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) to be hosted in Melbourne, Australia, from June 2-3, 2025.

The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and critical reflection on the current state of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in the Indo-Pacific region, including fragile situations and all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. It seeks to showcase cutting-edge research as well as policy solutions and share diverse perspectives and experiences on CRSV within the region.

Background and focus

Sexual and gender-based violence against civilians is becoming more prevalent as a tool of warfare, not less. Almost twenty-five years after the adoption of UNSCR 1325 which established the Women, Peace and Security agenda and more than a decade after the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) introduced by the United Kingdom, there is greater awareness of the egregious nature and impacts of this violence and commitments to prevent it. But impunity remains high in the growing number of fragile and conflict settings globally. What can be done to end impunity and bring about justice for CRSV survivors and victims?

The Justice Denied conference will build on the international consensus forged in state commitments to the PSVI and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda to prohibit sexual violence in conflict. We will focus on the CRSV implementation agenda to overcome the challenges of ending impunity. The conference will address diverse conflicts (coups, terrorism, protracted civil conflict, sieges, ethnic cleansing, gender apartheid and kinetic warfare) to explore patterns of violence and understand why impunity for CRSV is widely accepted by many with authority to end it (state, non-state actors, military, security sector, etcetera).

Recognising the available tools and training, such as the Murad Code, the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the International Atrocity Prevention Working Group, the conference will probe further innovations in the following areas: evidence-gathering and analysis, international sanctions, plea bargaining, investigations (national and international), ceasefires and peace agreements. It will highlight the relevance and applicability of these tools and training for conflict and fragile situations across the Indo-Pacific.

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) destroys the lives of individuals, families, communities and whole societies, it prolongs conflict and sets back post-conflict recovery.

Now is the time to identify opportunities for cooperation and collaboration across sectors and to bridge the gaps between research, practice and policymaking. The two-day conference aims to make a globally and regionally significant contribution to this effort.

CEVAW and AIIA Victoria acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our conference will take place upon - the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation - and whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture these lands, skies and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend our respects to all Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and other Indigenous peoples around the world.

This conference is only suitable for those aged 18 or over.

To download the flyer please click here.