A/HRC/23/58 G. Sexual violence 91. Sexual violence has been a persistent feature of the conflict. Chronic underreporting has made judging the magnitude of this violation difficult. Fear of rape is a driving motivation for families fleeing the violence. 1. Government forces and affiliated militia 92. In the case of pro-government forces, sexual violence was committed during house searches, at checkpoints and in detention centres, often as part of interrogations by intelligence services. One woman detained in Latakia described how she was threatened with gang rape during her interrogation. She also described other detainees being stripped naked while subjected to electric shocks. In Branch 285, the rape and sexual abuse of male detainees by their interrogators was reported. There were no indications of action taken by senior commanders to investigate, prevent or punish acts of sexual violence. 93. Rape and other inhumane acts, as crimes against humanity, have been committed by government forces and affiliated militia. Rape, torture and inhumane treatment are prosecutable as war crimes. 2. Anti-government armed groups 94. A limited number of interviews described women being segregated during house searches in Aleppo city during joint operations by armed groups, with an implication of possible sexual violence. One interviewee stated that she had been the victim of a sexual assault in Yarmouk (Damascus), in April. 95. During the assault in Yarmouk, the war crime of sexual violence was committed. Based on limited information, it was not possible to reach a finding in relation to the other accounts. H. 1. (a) Violations of children’s rights Unlawful killings and injuries Government forces and affiliated militia 96. Children continue to be the victims of shelling and aerial bombardments by government forces. Examples include attacks on Kaljabrin (Aleppo), on 23 January; Al Huwash (Hama), on 7 February; Saa’sae (Damascus) on 28 and 29 March; Al-Houlah (Homs) on 29 March; and Sanamayn (Dara’a) on 10 April. In late February, a 14-year-old child was shot by a sniper positioned in the Ba’ath party offices in Dara’a Al-Balad. 97. Government sieges have led to health and nutrition crises that disproportionately affect children under 5 years and nursing mothers. A clinician in Al-Houlah stated that 13 children had died between August 2012 and April 2013 from malnutrition and lack of medication. (b) Anti-government armed groups 98. Children were killed in attacks by armed groups. In April, a 2-year-old boy died after being shot by a sniper firing from an opposition neighbourhood while on a street in Sayda Zaynab (Damascus). A 12-year-old boy in Nubul (Aleppo) was killed during rocket attacks in April by armed groups besieging the town. Child malnutrition increased in Nubul. 16