New Technology Helps Sexual Assault Survivors in South Sudan

A potential new technology could help survivors of sexual assault in South Sudan receive faster support, but its implementation faces significant obstacles.

For many women, sexual violence is a constant threat. A 28-year-old woman was gang-raped by armed men while collecting firewood. Seeking help proved futile—some clinics were closed, others told her to return later, and without money, hospitals were out of reach. Five months later, she lay on a mat in a displacement camp in the capital, Juba, rubbing her swollen belly. “I felt like I wasn’t heard… and now I’m pregnant,” she said.

Sexual violence remains widespread in South Sudan, yet access to support services is severely limited. Now, one aid group is attempting to bridge the gap using technology.

An Israeli humanitarian organization, IsraAID, has introduced a WhatsApp-based chatbot designed to help sexual assault survivors report their experiences anonymously. Staff members input the information, and the system instantly alerts a social worker, allowing for faster response times—sometimes within hours.

IsraAID says the technology improves communication, addressing common challenges like misplaced paperwork and lost records. The chatbot also encrypts and anonymizes data, automatically deleting it from staff phones. In the first three months of its trial in late 2024, the system logged 135 cases.

However, in a country with low internet connectivity, high illiteracy rates, and concerns about privacy, adopting such technology is not straightforward.

The 28-year-old survivor said she initially feared having her information recorded on a phone, worried it could be shared on social media. But after learning the devices were not personal, she felt reassured and believed she could hold the organization accountable if needed.

For many, access to help remains a struggle. Women leaving displacement camps to gather firewood risk further attacks, and limited health services within the camps mean many survivors are unable to seek medical or psychological support. Some survivors say that they want to be heard beyond medical aid—whether through technology or in person.

While some aid organizations recognize the potential of mobile-based solutions, South Sudan’s technological limitations present challenges. The country has one of the lowest mobile access rates in the world, with less than 25% penetration, according to GSMA, a global network of mobile operators. Even those with phones often lack internet access, and illiteracy further limits the effectiveness of digital tools.

The stigma surrounding sexual violence also complicates efforts to provide support. Young girls often require permission to leave their homes, making it difficult to seek help. Meanwhile, international aid groups have reduced services in South Sudan due to funding constraints, leaving many survivors without psychological support or other critical resources.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order freezing USAID funding for a 90-day review has worsened the situation, forcing aid groups to scale back essential services, affecting tens of thousands of people.

Sexual violence affects not only women but also men. A 45-year-old father of 11 said it took years before he sought help after being raped by his wife when he refused sex, saying they could not afford more children. It wasn’t until aid workers visited his displacement site multiple times that he finally felt comfortable speaking out.

While technology offers new possibilities, it is not a complete solution. For many survivors in South Sudan, the most pressing need remains access to safe, in-person support services.