The real and significant risk of sexual violence in conflict situations must be recognised and whenever possible, safe transit provided for unprotected women and children and priority for resettlement in safer locations given to those who are especially vulnerable to assault.

The occurrence of sexual violence within conflict situations can be anticipated. This can be taken into consideration in the design of camps (in order to avoid adding to the vulnerability of inhabitants) and services within them (including security and law enforcement).

Capacity can be developed among health and social service staff within refugee camps to respond to specific health needs among those who have been assaulted: including for pregnancy testing, STD treatment and counseling.

Advocacy on behalf of victims with community leaders can be undertaken for their social reintegration. Safe spaces can be made available where survivors can talk confidentially.

In conflict situations and their aftermath, in addition to the need for monitoring and reporting human rights abuses, specific judicial processes may need to be instigated to prosecute the guilty. It may also be necessary to create mechanisms which are designed explicitly to "bear witness" and to contribute to reconciliation and the re-constitution of civil society.