S/2017/249 66. The largest number of cases (63 per cent) was recorded b etween January and June, as a result of hostilities between the Government and the Abdul Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation rebel movement in Jebel Marra. During these operations, women were raped and abducted, with internally displaced women accounting for 67 per cent of the victims. In terms of the overall profile of the perpetrators, 96 per cent were described by victims and witnesses as armed men, of which 76 per cent were identified by victims as “armed Arab men” or “militia”. Twenty per cent were identified as members of the security forces, namely the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, the Central Reserve Police and border guards, including police officials. The remaining cases were attributed to unidentified assailants or civilians. The available data does not reflect the actual scale and magnitude of violations, which are underreported owing to stigma, fear of reprisals, community pressure, weak institutions and significant access restrictions. 67. Some important response initiatives were undertaken by the Government, including amendment of the Criminal Act to make a clear distinction between rape and adultery, and the expansion of the mandate of the Darfur Special Court to include rape. UNAMID has enhanced interactions with local com munities, tailoring patrolling schedules to women’s livelihood activities. UNICEF continued to support family and child protection units within the Sudan Police in Darfur, and UNFPA trained local service providers on the clinical management of rape and dis tributed rape kits through the Ministry of Health. The legally discontinued, but still widely upheld, requirement that victims obtain a specific form (“form 8”) from the police in order to receive medical care deters reporting. In 2016, the United Nations verified 50 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, concerning 105 victims, reported to law enforcement officials. Investigations were opened in 6 of the cases, resulting in four arrests, of which three proceeded to trial. Government data indicates 112 reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence during 2016, of which 40 were brought to court, with 13 convictions. In 2015, the United Nations verified 45 cases reported to the police, leading to eight trials, and in 2014, 63 reports generated two convictions. As sexual violence cases are not consistently prosecuted, many communities resort to traditional settlements, which often decree that the victim should marry the perpetrator. In an encouraging development, in 2016, a court in West Darfur successfully convicted a police officer for the sexual exploitation of a minor. Despite the lasting impact of sexual violence on survivors, including those with children born as a result of rape, no reparations have been paid. Recommendation 68. I urge the Government of Sudan to ensure unhindered humanitarian access for the United Nations and its partners to affected communities, and to strengthen national institutions to deliver survivor-centred justice and services. Further to the listing of parties in the Sudan in the annex, I reiterate calls for the Government to facilitate a visit by my Special Representative and to develop a framework of cooperation to address conflict-related sexual violence. 20/33 17-05090