© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
On May 23, 2025, the Imperial War Museum (IWM) London opened its new exhibition, Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict. As the UK’s first major exhibition addressing sexual violence in conflict, it aims to shed light on the pervasive and devastating nature of sexual violence in conflict, a topic that remains under-discussed, including the Japanese military sexual slavery issue.
The Imperial War Museum (IWM), established on March 5, 1917, is the United Kingdom’s national museum of war, while the First World War was still being fought. The intention was to collect and display material as a record of everyone’s experiences during that war - civilian and military - and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society. Today, IWM operates five branches across the UK: IWM London, Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast, IWM North, and IWM Duxford. This exhibition is taking place at IWM London, the longest-established of the IWM branches, which examines conflicts from the First World War to the present day.
Six Years in the making, the exhibition examines how and why sexual violence is perpetrated, its impact on survivors, and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation through cases from World War I to these days. Visitors will encounter a total of 162 objects, including never-before-seen items. Through testimonies, documents, and artworks, the exhibition explores how conflict, such as wartime propaganda and gender stereotypes to the protection of soldiers, can reinforce and exacerbate inequalities. The exhibition also features interviews with global experts in gender equality, journalists, and NGOs working in the field of sexual violence, as well as curatorial notes.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
Unsilenced highlights state-sanctioned sexual violence cases from different times and countries, including the Japanese military sexual slavery in World War II and the sexual enslavement of Yazidi women and girls by ISIS in 2014. These cases illustrate how sexual violence in conflict creates power imbalances, and how sexual humiliation can be used to assert dominance and break morale. The exhibition also spotlights ongoing and historic battles for justice and reconciliation.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)A newly acquired miniature, ‘Statue of Peace (Sonyeosang)’, explores the grassroots activism and fight for justice by the Japanese military "comfort women" victims/survivors of Korea. Visitors will also learn about the efforts of four local NGOs actively supporting communities impacted by sexual violence.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
The War and Women’s Human Rights Archives (operated by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan) has provided valuable archival items and objects for the exhibition. These include a portrait and testimony of the late Kim Bok-dong, a victim and women’s rights activist, as well as photos, protest placards, statements from the Wednesday Demonstrations, a miniature ‘Statue of Peace’, and more items that reflect the continuing pursuit of justice by Korean survivors and advocates.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
We encourage you to visit and to engage in this significant exhibition that documents sexual violence in conflict and amplifies the voices of survivors in their fight for justice and recognition.
Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict
The UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to highlighting sexual violence in conflict, including the Japanese military sexual slavery issue
- Exhibition Period: May 23 – November 3, 2025 (local UK time)
- Venue: Imperial War Museum London (IWM London)
* Photos are provided by the IWM London.
Please make sure to clarify the copyrights of the photos and resources.
Official copyrights: © IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
On May 23, 2025, the Imperial War Museum (IWM) London opened its new exhibition, Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict. As the UK’s first major exhibition addressing sexual violence in conflict, it aims to shed light on the pervasive and devastating nature of sexual violence in conflict, a topic that remains under-discussed, including the Japanese military sexual slavery issue.
The Imperial War Museum (IWM), established on March 5, 1917, is the United Kingdom’s national museum of war, while the First World War was still being fought. The intention was to collect and display material as a record of everyone’s experiences during that war - civilian and military - and to commemorate the sacrifices of all sections of society. Today, IWM operates five branches across the UK: IWM London, Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast, IWM North, and IWM Duxford. This exhibition is taking place at IWM London, the longest-established of the IWM branches, which examines conflicts from the First World War to the present day.
Six Years in the making, the exhibition examines how and why sexual violence is perpetrated, its impact on survivors, and the pursuit of justice and reconciliation through cases from World War I to these days. Visitors will encounter a total of 162 objects, including never-before-seen items. Through testimonies, documents, and artworks, the exhibition explores how conflict, such as wartime propaganda and gender stereotypes to the protection of soldiers, can reinforce and exacerbate inequalities. The exhibition also features interviews with global experts in gender equality, journalists, and NGOs working in the field of sexual violence, as well as curatorial notes.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
Unsilenced highlights state-sanctioned sexual violence cases from different times and countries, including the Japanese military sexual slavery in World War II and the sexual enslavement of Yazidi women and girls by ISIS in 2014. These cases illustrate how sexual violence in conflict creates power imbalances, and how sexual humiliation can be used to assert dominance and break morale. The exhibition also spotlights ongoing and historic battles for justice and reconciliation.
A newly acquired miniature, ‘Statue of Peace (Sonyeosang)’, explores the grassroots activism and fight for justice by the Japanese military "comfort women" victims/survivors of Korea. Visitors will also learn about the efforts of four local NGOs actively supporting communities impacted by sexual violence.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
The War and Women’s Human Rights Archives (operated by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan) has provided valuable archival items and objects for the exhibition. These include a portrait and testimony of the late Kim Bok-dong, a victim and women’s rights activist, as well as photos, protest placards, statements from the Wednesday Demonstrations, a miniature ‘Statue of Peace’, and more items that reflect the continuing pursuit of justice by Korean survivors and advocates.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
We encourage you to visit and to engage in this significant exhibition that documents sexual violence in conflict and amplifies the voices of survivors in their fight for justice and recognition.
Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict
The UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to highlighting sexual violence in conflict, including the Japanese military sexual slavery issue
- Exhibition Period: May 23 – November 3, 2025 (local UK time)
- Venue: Imperial War Museum London (IWM London)
* Photos are provided by the IWM London.
© IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)
Please make sure to clarify the copyrights of the photos and resources.
Official copyrights: © IWM Unsilenced: Sexual Violence in Conflict at IWM London (23 May- 2 November 2025)