where UNICEF said sexual violence against children has reached "alarming levels". A year later, Sabine -- not her real name -- cradled a baby girl born from the assault whom she was taking care of despite disparaging looks from some in her community. Her name and those of other rape victims have been changed for this story to protect their identities. "Sexual violence against children in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains a pervasive and deeply destabilising crisis," the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a report released Tuesday.

Thirty years of conflict in eastern DRC -- where the Rwanda-backed M23 anti-government group recently seized swathes of territory -- is a major factor in the violence, according to UNICEF. But it also reported widespread abuse outside of conflict zones. "Despite decades of sustained national and international efforts, violations continue at alarming levels across the country," the report said. This includes "in provinces that are relatively stable, revealing major gaps in protection mechanisms and legal accountability", it added. (Bssnews)