International Human Rights Days

Credit: Council of Europe

In 2022 the UN officially recognized the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence after decades of hard work by survivors, advocates and allies. This World Day is to increase global awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence against children and mobilize action to prevent the said violence. 

Here, with the increasing use of technology children are more likely to be sexually exploited and experience sexual abuse. According to UNICEF about 90 million children alive today have experienced sexual violence and with that 650 million girls and women (1 in 5) were subject to sexual violence as children, including 370 million (1 in 8) had experienced rape or sexual assault. Here, girls face an even greater risk of rape or sexual assault in childhood in fragile settings, with it being 1 in every 4 girls. But also 410 to 530 million boys and men (around 1 in 7) have experienced sexual violence in childhood, including 240 to 310 million (around 1 in 11) who were raped or sexually assaulted. All these numbers are the general amount but in 2024 alone 82 million girls and 69 million boys have experienced some kind of sexual violence globally. This makes it approximately 3 girls and 2 boys per second. This coupled with the fact that children aged 7-13 are the most vulnerable to Child Sexual Abuse, alongside that most cases reported were perpetrated by a person the child knew. For example, in the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan in 2024 alone there were 221 rape cases of children reported. These cases of rape are often gang rapes over the courses of days, meaning that these children endured prolonged rapes.

These numbers are amplified through the digital world, with the data being highly shocking. The Into the Light Index highlights the prevalence of this hidden pandemic, with 1 case of abuse being reported every second, 300 million+ children have been affected by abusive behavior and 3.5 % of children experienced sexual extortion. These figures show an urgent need for governments to act to so that these abuses are stopped. 

This form of violence, abuse and exploitation have profound consequences for these children in their adult life. From injuries caused by the sexual abuse to mental health problems and suicidal ideations to even death from the abuse. Therefore this is an important issue that needs to be addressed by governments around the world.

Sources

 FAST FACTS: Violence against children widespread, affecting millions globall 

World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence 

Brave Movement 

November 18th: World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence 

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics

Sudan, UNICEF 

Written by Selma von den Hoff

 for Yonsei GSIS Human Rights Hub