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A recent global study has revealed distressing rates of sexual violence against children, underscoring the urgent need for focused research and policy measures. Published in JAMA Pediatrics on January 13, the study found that 11.4 percent of children globally have experienced lifetime sexual harassment, while 8.7 percent have faced contact sexual violence.
The comprehensive review, led by Antonio Piolanti, Ph.D., from the University of Klagenfurt in Austria, examined 165 studies involving 958,182 children across 80 countries. Notably, most of the data (58.2 percent) focused on girls.
Key Findings:
- Lifetime Sexual Harassment: The most prevalent form of abuse, affecting 11.4 percent of children.
- Contact Sexual Violence: Experienced by 8.7 percent of children globally.
- Completed Forced Sexual Intercourse: Reported by 6.1 percent of children during their lifetime and 1.3 percent in the previous year.
Girls were found to be disproportionately affected, with 6.8 percent reporting lifetime completed forced sexual intercourse compared to 3.3 percent of boys. Similarly, past-year rates of this form of violence were higher among girls (2.3 percent) than boys (0.6 percent).
Regional and Demographic Disparities
The prevalence of sexual violence varied significantly across regions and countries. Exploratory analyses indicated that older children, those in lower-income nations, and those surveyed in school settings were more likely to report experiences of sexual violence.
A Call for Action
“These findings highlight the pervasive nature of sexual violence against children and emphasize the necessity of addressing it through comprehensive research and policy interventions targeting both boys and girls,” the authors noted.
Experts, including David Finkelhor, Ph.D., who provided commentary in the journal, have stressed the importance of cross-national comparisons and meta-analyses in understanding the scale of the issue and informing global responses.
The study’s findings underscore an urgent need for policymakers, educators, and health professionals to collaborate on preventive strategies and survivor support systems. The protection of children from sexual violence must become a global priority to ensure their safety and well-being.
For further details, refer to the study published in JAMA Pediatrics:
- Antonio Piolanti et al., DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5326
- David Finkelhor, DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5333
