Over the last few weeks, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has received deeply disturbing reports of widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, of women and young girls, by soldiers in uniform and also by unidentified armed groups of men in plainclothes.

Following deeply disturbing reports of sexual violence against civilians in the vicinity of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site at UN House in Juba, UNMISS and partners are stepping up efforts to protect vulnerable girls and women.

Rumbek was recently one of the most insecure towns in South Sudan. At times when I spoke with people in Juba and told them I was working there, I was met with pity. It was the example of how intercommunal violence can disrupt normal life in a major way. Not so anymore. The story has changed.