Biden boosts US effort to stem sexual violence in war zones

By HOPE YEN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is strengthening U.S. policy aimed at stemming sexual violence in war conflict zones. The president has signed a presidential memorandum that will elevate the problem to the level of a possible serious human rights abuse that triggers sanctions and other actions against foreign perpetrators. The memorandum directs the State and Treasury departments and other agencies to leverage sanctions to the fullest extent possible. The United Nations has warned that sexual violence in Ukraine, especially against women and girls, remains prevalent and underreported. The Biden administration on Monday pointed to a U.N. report that found 3,293 verified sexual violence cases in 2021 across 18 countries, an increase of about 800 compared with the previous year.