New data reveals alarming global prevalence, calls for urgent action ahead of International Day of the Girl.
By Good Morning Africa News
An estimated 370 million girls and women worldwide—equivalent to 1 in 8—experienced rape or sexual assault before reaching 18, according to new figures released by UNICEF today.
Unicef Executive Director- Russel
The first-ever global estimates of sexual violence against children highlight the disturbing scope of the issue, especially among adolescent girls, with lifelong consequences.
According to the UNICEF report, released ahead of the International Day of the Girl, underscores the devastating effects of childhood sexual violence.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russel said when non-contact forms of abuse, including online harassment or verbal assault, are included, the number rises to 650 million girls and women globally—about 1 in 5.
She said the Report highlights that this broad scope demonstrates the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to prevent and address all forms of violence and abuse.
“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,” said Russell.
Russel said the data paints a grim picture, cutting across geographical and cultural boundaries. Sub-Saharan Africa leads with 79 million girls and women affected (22%), followed by 75 million in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia (8%), 73 million in Central and Southern Asia (9%), and 68 million in Europe and Northern America (14%).
She said added that the Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern Africa and Western Asia, and Oceania are also notably affected.
“In fragile settings—such as conflict zones or areas with weak institutions—the risk is even greater. In these regions, over 1 in 4 girls experience sexual violence before adulthood, with perpetrators often exploiting the vulnerabilities caused by displacement or instability.
"Children in fragile settings are especially vulnerable to sexual violence. We're witnessing horrific violence in conflict zones, where rape is used as a weapon of war,” noted Russel.
She said the report emphasizes the spike in abuse during adolescence, particularly between the ages of 14 and 17, noting that the survivors are often left grappling with trauma long into adulthood, facing increased risks of sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, mental health issues, and challenges forming healthy relationships. Delayed disclosure or keeping the abuse secret only compounds these impacts.
While the data primarily focuses on girls and women, the report also highlights the significant number of boys affected by childhood sexual violence saying Between 240 and 310 million boys and men—about 1 in 11—are estimated to have been sexually assaulted during childhood. This figure rises to between 410 and 530 million when non-contact forms are included.
Despite these alarming statistics, gaps remain in data collection, particularly regarding the experiences of boys and the full spectrum of abuse. UNICEF calls for increased investment in research to better capture the scale of sexual violence against children.
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