UNICEF has published shocking figures: more than 370 million girls and young women worldwide have been raped or sexually abused before the age of 18. An estimated 240 to 310 million boys and young men are also among the victims.
To mark World Girls’ Day, the children’s charity published the first global estimate on the issue of sexual violence against children on Friday. One in eight girls is affected by this form of violence.
If “non-contact” forms of sexual violence, such as online or verbal violence, were included, the number of girls and young women affected worldwide would rise to 650 million.
Boys and young men are also affected by sexual violence, as UNICEF also reported. An estimated 240 to 310 million boys – about one in eleven – have experienced rape or sexual assault in childhood. According to the data, most sexual violence against minors occurs during adolescence, with a significant increase between the ages of 14 and 17.
Most affected in the sub-Saharan part of Africa
According to UNICEF, sexual violence against children is widespread across all geographical, cultural and economic boundaries. The worst affected are in sub-Saharan Africa, with 79 million girls and women, followed by 75 million in East and Southeast Asia, 73 million in Central and South Asia and 68 million in Europe and North America.
According to UNICEF, the data comes from nationally representative surveys conducted in 120 countries and territories between 2010 and 2022. However, there are data gaps, especially regarding boys’ experiences and non-physical forms of sexual violence.
UNICEF director: “A thorn in the side”
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said: “Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience.” It causes deep trauma, often at the hands of someone the child knows and trusts, in places where he or she should feel safe. Survivors often carry the trauma with them into adulthood.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
