Recalling the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on Women, Peace and Security; Recognizing the actions taken by several African States to combat sexual violence and its consequences through measures for prevention, awareness-raising, protection, suppression and reparation; Concerned nonetheless that sexual violence remains widespread throughout Africa, in peacetime as well as in wartime, in public and in private; and Regretting that the perpetrators of this violence continue to enjoy almost complete impunity; Concerned that these victims suffer very serious and long-lasting consequences, such as unwanted pregnancies, gynecological complications, sexually transmitted diseases, and social stigmatization; that victims struggle to get access to the necessary medical and psycho-social services, live in fear of reprisals, and most are denied their right to truth, justice and reparation; Concerned by the absence of suitable domestic legislation to enable States to effectively and sustainably combat all forms of sexual violence and its consequences; Recognizing the urgency and need to combat sexual violence and its consequences through concrete, cross-cutting and coordinated measures aimed at preventing these violations, by attacking their root causes, providing protection and support to victims and witnesses, bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice, and offering guarantees of non-repetition, in compliance with States’ obligations under regional and international human rights instruments; Decides to adopt the Guidelines on Combating Sexual Violence and Its Consequences in Africa and Strongly Urges the Member States of the African Union to take all necessary measures to incorporate the provisions of these Guidelines in their domestic legislation, ensure that they are promoted and disseminated as widely as possible and ensure their effective, rapid implementation. GUIDELINES ON COMBATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN AFRICA 9