Sexual violence against children remains a hidden global crisis, with alarming numbers of survivors reporting abuse at a shockingly young age, as per a new study published in The Lancet.
바카라I was just four when it began,바카라 recalls 25-year-old Rekha Verma (name change), a survivor of years-long sexual abuse by a close family member. Her trauma remained hidden for over a decade바카라until a conversation with a friend unearthed the painful truth. Rekha바카라s story, though harrowing, is tragically far from unique.
A new global study published in The Lancet on Thursday reveals a grim global reality echoing Rekha바카라s trauma: 8% of female and 14% of male survivors reported being first exposed to sexual violence before the age of 12.
The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine, is among the first to draw on the latest Global Burden of Disease data, covering 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023.
The study finds out that in fact, SVAC (sexual violence against children) is prevalent regardless of income or geography. In high-income countries such as the Netherlands (30%), New Zealand (29%), the US (28%), and the UK (24%), rates among women remain disturbingly high.
In low- and middle-income countries like Chile, Costa Rica, India, and Rwanda, prevalence among women exceeds 30%, while in Bangladesh and Cote d바카라Ivoire, 28% of men reported similar experiences.
Beyond the physical and emotional toll, SVAC has lifelong ripple effects. 바카라It can impact social development, educational outcomes, and even economic achievement,바카라 noted Dr. Luisa Flor, Assistant Professor at IHME. 바카라These consequences underscore the urgent need for effective prevention strategies and responsive support systems.바카라
Its findings continue to shock: one in five women and one in seven men aged 20 and older worldwide experienced sexual violence by age 15.
Tragically, of those, the majority바카라67% of women and 72% of men바카라reported that the abuse occurred during childhood, before turning 18.
바카라Sexual violence against children is a widespread human rights and public health issue, and the world is clearly failing to end it,바카라 said senior author Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou, Professor at IHME.
바카라We need urgent action from all countries to improve laws, policies, and the ways experts respond.바카라
The research also highlights significant gaps in data collection바카라especially in low- and middle-income countries바카라calling for robust and standardized surveillance programs to better track, understand, and ultimately prevent child sexual abuse.
바카라Establishing standardised practices is essential,바카라 the study states and calls strategies 바카라to help experts identify the barriers to disclosure, improve reporting mechanisms, and craft better child protection policies.바카라