Breaking the Silence: UNICEF Reports Alarming Global Child Sexual Violence Statistics

UNICEF reveals more than 370 million girls and women have experienced sexual assault before age 18. The figures rise to 650 million including 'non-contact' violence. 240-310 million boys and men also affected. The report underscores the urgent need for global action ahead of a conference in Colombia.

The United Nations children's agency has reported a staggering number of girls and women, exceeding 370 million, who have experienced rape or sexual assault before reaching adulthood. This equates to one in eight globally, and when including 'non-contact' abuses like online harassment, the figure escalates to 650 million.

Boys and men are not exempt, with approximately 240 to 310 million having endured similar violations. The UNICEF report highlights the massive scope of this human rights violation, often veiled by stigma and insufficient data collection. The findings precede a global conference in Colombia aimed at addressing this pervasive issue.

The report identifies Sub-Saharan Africa as having the highest number of female victims—79 million—ahead of other regions including Asia and Latin America. UNICEF emphasizes the vital need for enhancing legal frameworks and promoting awareness to enable young victims to report abuses, thereby addressing the silence surrounding these offenses.

(With inputs from agencies.)