A/HRC/42/61 54. Cases of sexual violence are often underreported. For example, during the period covered by the present report, from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, members of armed groups such as the anti-balaka, the Union pour la paix en Centrafrique, the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique, the Front populaire pour la renaissance de la Centrafrique/Mouvement patriotique pour la Centrafrique coalition and Retour, réclamation et réhabilitation were allegedly responsible for 226 incidents of sexual violence, mainly rape cases involving 279 victims (164 women, 109 girls, 4 boys and 2 men). 55. Government officials, including members of the Armed Forces of the Central African Republic, were reportedly responsible for four incidents of rape involving six girls and two women during that period. 56. Victims are often reluctant to file a complaint for fear of reprisals and stigmatization. In addition, medical, judicial and psychosocial services have very limited capacity to respond to cases. 57. The Independent Expert welcomes the signing, on 31 May 2019 and at the instigation of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, of the Joint Communiqué between the Central African Republic and the United Nations on preventing and combating conflict-related sexual violence. This step reflects the importance the Central African authorities attach to this issue and the willingness of the United Nations to strengthen its cooperation in this area. 58. The humanitarian country team has also set out to identify the areas most affected by sexual violence in order to adapt the protection response accordingly and strengthen security as a matter of priority. A multipurpose reception centre for victims has also been set up in Bangui. 59. The Independent Expert visited the joint rapid response unit to combat sexual violence against women and children in January 2019. The aim of the special unit, which is made up of police officers and gendarmes, is to provide advice and protect citizens’ wellbeing. A counselling centre has been established within the unit to address the needs of victims and refer them to the appropriate services depending on the issues they are facing. Although the unit lacks logistical resources, the number of people using its services is a clear indication of the demand for them. The Independent Expert therefore invites the Government to adopt decrees appointing staff and to include the unit in the State budget. She encourages the various courts to handle the cases referred to them in an efficient and expeditious manner in order to ensure that victims have effective access to justice. The Independent Expert also encourages the authorities to develop a framework for cooperation between the joint unit and the special criminal investigation unit attached to the Special Criminal Court, so that the special unit can easily and effectively access the expertise of the joint unit. 60. The Independent Expert invites the Government to consider appointing within the Prime Minister’s Office a special adviser on conflict-related sexual violence in order to support the implementation of commitments made in this area. 61. With regard to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by international forces, the measures taken by the Secretary-General pursuant to his zero-tolerance policy appear to be having a deterrent effect. According to the information provided, 10 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by MINUSCA personnel were recorded in 2019 (S/2019/498, para. 78). However, the Independent Expert regrets that the investigations conducted are rarely made public and rarely lead to convictions. She encourages the United Nations to continue its efforts on these issues and urges the States concerned to investigate allegations and ensure that the rights and needs of victims are placed at the centre of every investigation. Since most victims come from very low-income backgrounds, they should be provided with financial support and psychotherapy to enable them to participate effectively in investigations, travel to interview locations, be assisted by translators and lawyers from the outset of their interactions with investigators and support themselves before and during the proceedings. 10 GE.19-13726