In a stark revelation of the global scope of childhood sexual violence, the United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) has reported that up to 310 million boys and men, roughly 1 in 11, have suffered sexual abuse or rape during their childhood.
This information, published on UNICEF’s official website and shared with Africa Health Report (AHR), brings to light the often-overlooked experiences of boys, underscoring that sexual violence affects all genders. While much of the attention has historically focused on girls and women, this new data reveals the widespread nature of the issue across society.
The report, which UNICEF calls the first global survey of this problem, also underscores that girls and women remain the most affected. Over 370 million females worldwide, or one in eight, are estimated to have suffered sexual violence before turning 18. When non-contact forms of abuse, such as online or verbal harassment, are included, the number rises to a staggering 650 million, or one in five.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, described childhood sexual violence as “a stain on our moral conscience,” noting that most abuse is inflicted by individuals the victims know and trust, often in environments where children should feel safe. “It inflicts deep and lasting trauma,” she said.
The UNICEF report emphasizes that the majority of childhood sexual abuse occurs during adolescence, particularly between ages 14 and 17. The long-term consequences of this trauma include heightened risks of sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.
The findings also reveal that children in fragile settings, including areas affected by weak governance or large refugee populations, are particularly vulnerable, with the likelihood of sexual violence increasing to 1 in 4 in these regions.
Despite the alarming figures, the full extent of childhood sexual violence remains difficult to measure, with stigma, underreporting, and limited data collection hampering efforts to fully grasp the problem. UNICEF has called for greater global investment in data collection to address these gaps, especially concerning the experiences of boys and men.
UNICEF’s estimates for girls and women are based on surveys conducted in 120 countries between 2010 and 2022, while data on boys were derived using a broader range of sources, reflecting the need for more direct research on the issue.
The report comes ahead of a Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Colombia next month, where governments are expected to discuss strategies for addressing this pressing issue.
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