News story

Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict starts on Tuesday

Just a few days until the Summit. Attend the Summit Fringe and share the animation as part of #timetoact campaign.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict logo

The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict is just a few days away (10 – 13 June). From Tuesday at the Excel Centre in London, Angelina Jolie, the Special Envoy for the UN Commissioner for Refugees, and the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, will co-host the biggest meeting ever held on this subject.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Secretary and Special Envoy will open the Global Summit Fringe, which aims to increase awareness of sexual violence in conflict, and take part in meetings with youth delegates. On Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary and Special Envoy will attend an event to launch an International Protocol to help strengthen prosecutions for rape in conflict. On Thursday, delegations from over 100 countries will attend the Summit. The Foreign Secretary will chair a ministerial meeting on security in northern Nigeria. On Friday, the Foreign Secretary, Special Envoy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon (by video message) and US Secretary of State John Kerry will speak in a closing plenary session.

As part of the Summit there will be over 140 free events open to the public (10-12 June). Events and performances include; the Royal Court Theatre presenting the World Premiere of award-winning ‘Liberian Girl’; the Jealous Gallery and the European Premiere of Charming Baker’s sculptural work Faith’s Leap; discussion and debate, including Laura Bates from ‘Everyday Sexism’ and Danai Gurira from ‘The Walking Dead.’ Also an exclusive screening of, ‘In the Land of Blood and Honey’, with the opportunity to hear the Director, Angelina Jolie, and the Foreign Secretary, discuss the film and how it inspired the initiative that led to the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. There will also be a Silent Cinema, and a Marketplace with products from around the world.

As part of the #TimetoAct campaign, a short animation has been produced to portray the horror of rape and sexual violence through the eyes of a child. The film has been produced with creative agency, Don’t Panic, who produced the viral, ‘Most Shocking Second a Day’, Save the Children Syria video, and illustrator and animator, Andy Baker, whose previous clients include ADIDAS, TATE Modern and Wu-Tang Clang.

Don’t believe the thumbnail: this is the stuff of nightmares

The animation was kept deliberately simple and as child-like as possible, in stark contrast to the serious subject matter and terrifying sound effects. The animation aims to illustrate the awful reality that many children, women and men face in conflict zones.

Further information

The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict aims to deliver a set of practical agreements that bring together all those working to end sexual violence in conflict (conflict and post conflict-affected countries, donors, the UN and other multilateral organisations, NGOs and civil society).

The Summit will identify concrete action that needs to be taken across four areas:

  • improving documentation and investigation of sexual violence in conflict;
  • providing greater support and assistance for survivors, including child survivors;
  • ensuring sexual and gender based violence responses and the promotion of gender equality are fully integrated in all peace and security efforts;
  • improving international co-ordination.

If you wish to obtain a broadcast quality version of the animation, please contact: emmie.fairbairn@fco.gov.uk

The video can be shared through Twitter:

  • Watch this video: http://ow.ly/xx14G. A horrifying animation that depicts a dark reality. #TimetoAct
  • These monsters are the stuff of nightmares: watch this @end_svc video http://ow.ly/xx14G #TimeToAct
Published 8 June 2014
Last updated 10 June 2014 + show all updates
  1. Added translation

  2. First published.