Study reveals scale of child sexual violence worldwide
One in five women and one in six men worldwide experienced sexual violence as children, a study has found.
Research by Georgia State University, the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute – a research centre within the University, Together for Girls and 12 additional organisations estimates that in 2024 alone, more than 130 million children globally experienced sexual violence.
The study reveals critical data for understanding the magnitude of sexual violence against children, monitoring global trends, and informing evidence-based policies and practices to protect children from sexual violence and its devastating consequences.
This study represents the largest evidence base ever assembled on sexual violence against children. Our findings highlight the alarming global burden of sexual violence against children and the urgent need for evidence-based prevention strategies and programs to safeguard children worldwide.
Professor Xiangming Fang
Research Associate Professor in the Georgia State University (GSU) School of Public Health
The researchers noted that although the number of studies that measure the prevalence of sexual violence against children has grown significantly over the past two decades, few have systematically reviewed and brought together this body of literature to produce global prevalence estimates.
Evidence at this scale leaves no room for doubt that child sexual violence is one of the most significant and preventable threats facing children worldwide, with lifelong consequences for health, wellbeing and opportunity. It’s clear that governments must view this as a global health emergency and invest in the same level of coordinated prevention, data systems and accountability that the world has mobilised to confront other major threats to human health.
Professor Debi Fry
Director of Data at Childlight and Professor of International Child Protection Research
Researchers examined 1,412 studies across 147 countries and used UNICEF’s definition of sexual violence against children, which includes deliberate, unwanted sexual acts against a child that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, pain or psychological suffering.
The study also examined regional variations, the prevalence of contact sexual violence, and experiences of sexual violence in the past year.
In most regions, prevalence is higher among girls than boys. However, across much of Asia, as well as in Southern Europe and South America, these differences are less pronounced. More research is needed to better understand the factors driving these regional patterns.
Professor Xiangming Fang
Research Associate Professor in the Georgia State University (GSU) School of Public Health
To illustrate how data can guide efforts to reduce sexual violence against children, the researchers highlight the role that Kenya’s Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys played in reducing the prevalence of sexual violence against girls from 36 per cent in 2010 to 25 per cent in 2019.
The 2010 survey was followed by a National Response Plan that was spearheaded by the government and supported by philanthropy, international non-governmental organisations and community based organisations.
The National Response Plan coordinated action among multiple sectors, including health, education, justice and social services.
Monitoring and evaluation research identified key factors that contributed to the reductions – such as a strengthened legal framework, increased service provider capacity and improved information systems – as well as areas of continuing need.
We now know the scale of this problem. We also know what works to prevent childhood sexual violence and promote healing and justice for survivors. Now is the time to act. We call on governments to make strong pledges at this year's Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Manila. We ask policy makers, civil society, advocates, and communities to implement programs and policies that keep children and adolescents safe in their homes, schools, and communities, using WHO’s INSPIRE Framework, the Safe Futures Hub, and the Out of the Shadows Index as starting points.
Daniela Ligiero
CEO and President of Together for Girls.
The study is published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
