Sexual violence is present whenever conflict erupts, according to the UN. Adolescent girls are particularly at risk. Survivors trudge on, though, amid a shocking increase in sexual crimes committed as weapons of war.

Sexual abuse and rape are taboo topics in many African countries — especially in conservative northern Nigeria. But this 'culture of silence' is changing thanks to new online movements like #ArewaMeToo. Can social media increase awareness around sexual violence and bring positive change?

Pakistan is considering "chemical castration" as a punishment for rapists and sex offenders. But is the method effective? What are the ethical implications? European countries have varying experiences.

France is coming to terms with the fact that sexual assault and rape cases are often known about but ignored. The situation at the prestigious Sciences Po university has been under the spotlight after one of its top professors was accused of abusing his stepson. The school's director then resigned after admitting that he knew about the case and did not act. Meanwhile, dozens of alleged victims of sexual assault on Sciences Po's regional French campuses have been speaking out under the hashtag #SciencesPorcs or "science pigs". It was launched by Anna Toumazoff, who joined us for Perspective.

Pakistan's president has issued a new law intended to speed up sexual assault cases. It follows months of protests after the gang rape of a women in front of her children along a deserted highway near Lahore.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Wednesday.

The "Sexual Offender Register" will contain the names of all those prosecuted for sexual violence in Africa's most populous nation since 2015. The record will be available online to better help the public, state bodies, and police conduct background checks and identify repeat offenders.

Breaking down India's wall of silence on sexual violence

Multiple incidents of ghastly sexual violence in recent months have raised serious concerns over the safety of women and children in Bangladesh. Experts blame "a culture of impunity" for the spike in sex crimes.

Rape as a weapon of war: Sexual violence on the rise in Cameroon’s Anglophone region.