Widespread sexual violence unfortunately remains a largely invisible phenomenon due to cultural taboos, feelings of shame or fear of retaliation. Its prevalence and its consequences are thus vastly underestimated. This is a serious challenge for those striving to provide effective humanitarian responses to the victims of sexual violence – women, girls, boys and men. Drawing on the experience and lessons learned of their organizations, high-level panellists recently participated in a conference debating the question of how to better respond to sexual violence in situations of conflict.