Sexual violence a tactic of terrorism

Women and girls face an increased risk of sexual violence and child marriage in conflicts, warns foreign affairs parliamentary secretary Steve Ciobo.

The federal government has warned sexual violence is being increasingly used in conflicts. (AAP)

Sexual violence is being increasingly used as an instrument of war and a tactic of terrorism, the federal government has warned.

Foreign affairs parliamentary secretary Steve Ciobo told a Red Cross international conference about humanitarian law in Canberra on Monday the use of sexual violence by Islamic State extremists and others in conflict zones in the Middle East was alarming.

More needed to be done to prosecute perpetrators, he said.