![](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sexualviolenceinconflict\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HEADERcommunity-of-practice.svg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>About the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts<\/strong><\/h2>\nÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ) Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict (\u201cTeam of Experts\u201d or \u201cTOE\u201d) was established by <\/span>Security Council resolution 1888<\/a> (2009) to assist national authorities in strengthening the rule of law with the aim of ensuring accountability, including criminal accountability, for perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence. Subsequent Security Council resolutions have reinforced the Team of Experts\u2019 mandate, further elaborating on the causes and consequences of conflict-related sexual violence, its linkages to crimes such as terrorism, trafficking and transnational organized crime, and the importance of robust national legal frameworks. These resolutions have also underscored the needs of victims and the critical role of justice in preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence. <\/span><\/p>\nThe Team of Experts is the only dedicated Security Council mandated mechanism to provide this type of support to national authorities on a global basis.<\/p>\n
The Team of Experts is situated in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and has a unique \u201cco-lead entity\u201d structure comprising the <\/span>Department of Peace Operations<\/a> (DPO), the <\/span>Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights<\/a> (OHCHR); and the <\/span>United Nations Development Programme<\/a> (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP), in addition to the Office of the SRSG-SVC.<\/span><\/p>\nTheory of Change<\/h2>\n
The Team of Experts\u2019 theory of change is based on the premise that strong political will; improved technical and operational capacity of national rule of law institutions and actors; and enhanced cooperation, coordination, coherence and knowledge among actors will enable effective, victim sensitive criminal proceedings for conflict-related sexual violence, in line with international standards, resulting in increased accountability for such crimes and ultimately contribute to long-term peace, security and development.<\/p>\n
Based on this theory of change, the Team of Experts will focus on (i) strengthening political and resource commitments from national authorities, as well as regional and international entities, to promote and support survivor-centred, holistic justice and accountability for CRSV; (ii) enhancing technical and operational capacity, as well as understanding, of national authorities regarding the full range of justice mechanisms – including specialized knowledge on investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating CRSV crimes in line with international standards and a survivor-centred approach; and (iii) improving coordination, facilitation, and knowledge-sharing among national, regional and international actors working to address accountability for CRSV.<\/p>\n
Resources<\/h2>\n
The Security Council mandates in resolution 1888 (2009) that the Team of Experts make use of existing human resources within the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system as well as voluntary contributions. Since it became operational in 2011, the TOE has been funded exclusively through voluntary contributions. To sustain its work, adequate human and financial resources are essential. The Team of Experts welcomes contributions to its five-year joint programme from Member States, private philanthropic foundations, and individuals.<\/p>\n
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts\u2019 Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Team of Experts works with the consent and cooperation of host governments, with the aim of fostering national ownership and responsibility for addressing conflict-related sexual violence in a survivor-centric manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts in Action<\/b><\/h2>\n\n- In the <\/span>Central African Republic<\/span><\/i><\/b>, <\/span>the Team of Experts, in collaboration with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP and MINUSCA, is supporting the strengthening of national capacity to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate conflict-related sexual violence; reinforcing the functioning and sustainability of specialized police and judicial actors, in particular the Unit\u00e9 Mixte d\u2019Intervention Rapide et de R\u00e9pression des Violences Sexuelles faites aux Femmes et aux Enfants, to consolidate national investigative capacity over time; supporting the organization of criminal sessions by the Courts of Appeal in Bangui, Bouar and Bambari; and continuing to support the Special Criminal Court. <\/span><\/li>\n
- In <\/span>Colombia<\/span><\/i><\/b>, <\/span>the Team of Experts is providing technical assistance to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, in particular with regard to the investigation of Macro-Case 11, focusing on widespread gender-based, and sexual violence committed during the armed conflict. The TOE also initiated support to the Attorney General Office to strengthen its capacities to investigate and prosecute conflict-related sexual violence. <\/span><\/li>\n
- In the <\/span>Democratic Republic of the Congo<\/span><\/i><\/b>, <\/span>the Team of Experts works with the Congolese military justice authorities, jointly with MONUSCO, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP and civil society organizations, to advance the implementation of the case prioritization strategy for serious international crimes, including conflict-related sexual violence. The Team of Experts supports investigations into conflict-related sexual violence and the organization of mobile court sessions conducted by military justice authorities, facilitating survivors\u2019 access to justice within their communities. It also provides material and technical assistance to the Congolese Special Police on Women and Children, alongside targeted capacity-building initiatives to strengthen investigative responses to conflict-related sexual violence. <\/span><\/li>\n
- In <\/span>Guinea<\/span><\/i><\/b>, <\/span>since the signature of the Joint Communiqu\u00e9 in November 2011, the Team of Experts has been providing technical assistance to the Guinean judicial authorities in the areas of investigation, prosecution, and legislative drafting. This long term support contributed to the landmark verdict delivered by the Criminal Court of Dixinn on 31 July 2024, which convicted former Head of State Moussa Dadis Camara and seven other defendants for crimes against humanity, including sexual violence, and awarded reparations to victims. The decision has been appealed by the defendants.<\/span><\/li>\n
- In <\/span>Syria<\/span><\/i><\/b>, the Team of Experts is providing practical support to emerging transitional justice actors on conflict-related sexual violence, including the National Commission for Transitional Justice. The Team of Experts, together with national counterparts, arranged dedicated roundtables on accountability and survivor-centred approaches, sharing comparative experiences on inclusive transitional justice processes. On the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in September 2025, the Team of Experts co-hosted a closed, informal expert-level discussion, providing a platform to take stock of progress in Syria\u2019s transitional justice process and to reinforce international support for a Syrian-led, survivor-centred approach that addresses conflict-related sexual violence. The Team of Experts continues to deploy regularly to provide training and support to judicial actors. <\/span><\/li>\n
- In <\/span>Ukraine<\/span><\/i><\/b>, <\/span>the Team of Experts is enhancing national capacity on survivor-centred investigations and prosecutions of conflict-related sexual violence, with over 400 prosecutors, investigators, judges and legal aid practitioner across 21 regions already trained on investigation planning, trauma informed interviewing and the applicable law; providing mentoring and technical advice to the Office of the Prosecutor General (where the TOE has deployed the only international legal expert working in the CRSV Unit), the National Police War Crimes Unit, the Security Services of Ukraine (on the interviewing of returning POWs) and the Coordination Center for the Provision of Legal Aid; and facilitating the full roll-out of a dedicated case management system. The Team of Experts is also supporting the implementation of Law 4067-IX and the establishment of a national interim reparation mechanism for conflict-related sexual violence survivors. Moreover, the Team of Experts has been facilitating the drafting of the new Strategy and Action Plan to counter Trafficking (2026-2030).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Team of Experts has also developed cross-cutting thematic workstreams aimed at bolstering progress through the sharing of knowledge and capacity, and by creating synergies and solidarity across national contexts, judicial authorities, and civil society groups. Examples of thematic engagement include the following:<\/p>\n
\n- <\/b>Prosecutors\u2019 Network<\/b>:<\/span><\/a> In response to the need identified during the first ever International Conference of Prosecutors on Accountability for CRSV in 2024 for a rapid knowledge exchange amongst national prosecutors, the TOE launched in March 2026 a <\/span><\/span>Network and Community of Practice for Practitioners Pursuing Criminal Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence<\/span><\/i><\/span>, based on two pillars: a public practice centre and a knowledge exchange community. A dedicated online Practice Centre will make publicly available training materials, tools and best practices, while also providing a secure forum for prosecutors to exchange knowledge. A conflict-related sexual violence jurisprudence database, embedded in the existing SHERLOC-portal<\/a> hosted by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODC, will facilitate dissemination of relevant national and international case law.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Policing<\/b>: The Team of Experts is providing targeted capacity building on survivor-centred investigations to law enforcement officers, including in Ukraine. Training materials have also been produced for use by police and other accountability actors and partner institutions. For example, in collaboration with the Institute for International Criminal Investigation in The Hague, the TOE produced a series of short-scenario training video modules on trauma-informed and survivor-centred interview techniques. A module on <\/span><\/span>Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Investigations<\/span><\/i><\/span> for the Ethiopian Police University was reviewed with the aim of reflecting international standards and best practices. Collaboration with the United Nations Police was broadened through supporting pre-deployment training for 35 female peacekeepers to enhance their operational and gender responsive policing preparedness to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence in field missions.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Trafficking in Persons<\/b>: In line with Security Council resolutions 2331 (2016) and 2388 (2017), the TOE has been working on strengthening the judicial response to crimes of conflict-related sexual violence committed in the context of trafficking in persons. While these crimes continued to be increasingly documented, the absence of adequate and holistic judicial responses meant that perpetrators are not held accountable. In 2024, for example, the TOE launched research on the rule of law response to the nexus between conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking for sexual exploitation. Its findings provided invaluable insight into stakeholders\u2019 knowledge, awareness, and perceptions regarding the nexus between conflict-related sexual violence and trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation. In December 2024, the TOE co-hosted with the Kingdom of Belgium and the Impact Center Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence in Conflict a side event at the ICC Assembly of States Parties specifically on sexual violence, trafficking in persons and the slave trade to advance practitioners\u2019 understanding of these crimes. Additionally, the TOE liaised with prosecutorial authorities in Member States to increase the number of cases brought to court for these specific offences in DRC, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Legislative Initiatives<\/b>: The Team of Experts regularly provides bespoke legislative analyses based on request. The TOE analyses legislation from two perspectives: (i) how existing domestic law can be used to prosecute conflict-related sexual violence and (ii) how Member States\u2019 substantive and procedural law can be amended to ensure more robust survivor-centred and trauma-informed prosecutions with due process of law. In 2025, for example, the Team of Experts engaged in legislative analyses in Syria on existing law and provided comments to the draft on transitional justice. In Ukraine, the TOE provided expert advice on proposed draft amendments regarding both sexual violence and victims protections to the Criminal Procedure Code to conform with international standards and Ukraine\u2019s adoption of the Rome Statute into its domestic law. The Team of Experts continues to follow law reform efforts in Libya, Somalia, and South Sudan. It has also provided advice on reparations laws in DRC, Iraq and Ukraine.<\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts Annual Report 2024<\/a><\/h3><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sexualviolenceinconflict\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AR2025TOECOVER-scaled.png\")
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\n<\/div>Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts Update<\/a><\/a><\/h3><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sexualviolenceinconflict\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/our-work\/team-of-experts\/202211-TOE-Update-176x227.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div> Download 11\/2022 TOE Update<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/div> Download 10\/2021 TOE Update<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/div>
The Team of Experts is the only dedicated Security Council mandated mechanism to provide this type of support to national authorities on a global basis.<\/p>\n
The Team of Experts is situated in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and has a unique \u201cco-lead entity\u201d structure comprising the <\/span>Department of Peace Operations<\/a> (DPO), the <\/span>Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights<\/a> (OHCHR); and the <\/span>United Nations Development Programme<\/a> (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDP), in addition to the Office of the SRSG-SVC.<\/span><\/p>\n The Team of Experts\u2019 theory of change is based on the premise that strong political will; improved technical and operational capacity of national rule of law institutions and actors; and enhanced cooperation, coordination, coherence and knowledge among actors will enable effective, victim sensitive criminal proceedings for conflict-related sexual violence, in line with international standards, resulting in increased accountability for such crimes and ultimately contribute to long-term peace, security and development.<\/p>\n Based on this theory of change, the Team of Experts will focus on (i) strengthening political and resource commitments from national authorities, as well as regional and international entities, to promote and support survivor-centred, holistic justice and accountability for CRSV; (ii) enhancing technical and operational capacity, as well as understanding, of national authorities regarding the full range of justice mechanisms – including specialized knowledge on investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating CRSV crimes in line with international standards and a survivor-centred approach; and (iii) improving coordination, facilitation, and knowledge-sharing among national, regional and international actors working to address accountability for CRSV.<\/p>\n The Security Council mandates in resolution 1888 (2009) that the Team of Experts make use of existing human resources within the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ system as well as voluntary contributions. Since it became operational in 2011, the TOE has been funded exclusively through voluntary contributions. To sustain its work, adequate human and financial resources are essential. The Team of Experts welcomes contributions to its five-year joint programme from Member States, private philanthropic foundations, and individuals.<\/p>\n The Team of Experts works with the consent and cooperation of host governments, with the aim of fostering national ownership and responsibility for addressing conflict-related sexual violence in a survivor-centric manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> The Team of Experts has also developed cross-cutting thematic workstreams aimed at bolstering progress through the sharing of knowledge and capacity, and by creating synergies and solidarity across national contexts, judicial authorities, and civil society groups. Examples of thematic engagement include the following:<\/p>\nTheory of Change<\/h2>\n
Resources<\/h2>\n
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts\u2019 Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts in Action<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts Annual Report 2024<\/a><\/h3><\/div>
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\n<\/div>Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Team of Experts Update<\/a><\/a><\/h3><\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sexualviolenceinconflict\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/our-work\/team-of-experts\/twitter-SICOVER29JÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵE-410x227.gif\" "\\"twitter-SICOVER29JÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵE\\"")
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