UNICEF has reported that over 370 million girls and women worldwide have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. This statistic emerged in conjunction with UNICEF’s release of its first global estimate on sexual violence against children, coinciding with the International Day of the Girl on Friday. The data indicates that one in eight girls is affected by such violence.
Widespread Impact of Sexual Violence
When including other forms of “non-contact” sexual violence—such as online harassment or verbal abuse—the number of affected girls and young women escalates to 650 million, or one in five. The situation is particularly dire in fragile environments, where the prevalence of childhood rape and sexual assault rises to slightly over one in four.
The report also highlights that boys and young men are not exempt from these grim statistics, with an estimated 240 to 310 million boys—approximately one in 11—having faced rape or sexual assault during childhood.
Demographics and Data Collection
Most instances of sexual violence against minors occur during adolescence, showing a significant rise in cases between the ages of 14 and 17. This violence is pervasive across various geographical, cultural, and economic contexts.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of victims, with 79 million girls and women affected (22%). This is followed by 75 million in East and Southeast Asia (8%), 73 million in Central and South Asia (9%), and 68 million in Europe and North America (14%).
The findings are derived from nationally representative surveys conducted in 120 countries and territories between 2010 and 2022. However, there are notable data gaps, particularly regarding the experiences of boys and non-physical forms of sexual violence.
UNICEF’s Call to Action
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the moral imperative to address this issue, stating, “Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience. It inflicts deep and lasting trauma, often by someone the child knows and trusts, in places where they should feel safe.” She noted that survivors often carry this trauma into adulthood, underlining the need for immediate action and support for affected individuals