Syrian war refugees flee sexual violence - aid agency

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's civil war is unleashing a "staggering humanitarian disaster", sending hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, many of them citing fear of rape, an aid agency said on Monday.

The New York-based International Rescue Committee (IRC) said Syrian refugees interviewed in Lebanon and Jordan gave sexual violence as a primary reason for their flight, saying that gang rapes often occur in front of family members.