Globally, countless young individuals are victims of sexual misconduct and exploitation. Such violations are pervasive, cutting across all nations and societal strata.

Children, especially girls, are at a greater risk of experiencing forced sex and sexual exploitation, abuse and violence, including both online and offline, and it’s also a common situation during armed conflicts.

Many victims and survivors never disclose and/or seek justice, rehabilitation or support because of the shame. For many victims and survivors, their child abuse experience affects their physical and mental health and well-being, and sometimes there are lifelong consequences.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the dignity of children and their right to live free from violence is placed as a priority of the international development agenda through the implementation of the range of goals and targets of the 2023 Agenda relevant to ending exploitation, abuse, trafficking, torture and all forms of violence against children, as well as eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation, which place children at risk of experiencing child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence.

Figures and Statistics:

Worldwide, it is estimated that approximately 120 million females under the age of 20 have experienced various forms of forced sexual contact. While there are no global estimates available for sexual violence against boys, data from 24 predominantly high- and middle-income countries indicate that the prevalence ranges from 8% to 31% among girls and 3% to 17% among boys under the age of 18.

1 in 4 children aged under 5 years live with a mother who is a victim of intimate partner violence.

Adults who experienced 4 or more Adverse Childhood Experiences, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, are 7 times more likely to be involved in interpersonal violence as a victim or perpetrator and 30 times more likely to attempt suicide.

1 in 20 men admitted to online sexualised behaviour towards children who were known to be below the age of 12.

*according to:

https://www.un.org/ar/observances/child-sexual-exploitation-prevention-and-healing-day