Wino Reporter
A new global report titled Break the Record reveals that 82 million girls and 69 million boys worldwide have been victims of sexual violence in the past year, with online sexual abuse of children increasing rapidly. This report has sparked calls from advocates for governments worldwide to establish strong systems to protect children’s rights.
Research from 193 countries found that every second, three girls and two boys are sexually abused over a 12-month period.
The report, released on October 31 by the organization Together for Girls, which works globally in partnership with international groups like UNICEF, also shows that online abuse of children is increasing daily. Around 300 million children under 18 have been abused through social media in the past 12 months.
Daniela Ligiero, founder of Together for Girls, said the findings alarming.
“Three girls and two boys are sexually abused every second. This is shocking and a wake-up call. It happens everywhere: in our homes, in our communities, in child marriages, during conflicts, and increasingly online,” said Ligiero.
Ligiero, herself a survivor of sexual violence, urged governments worldwide to look at these statistics on child sexual abuse, find solutions, and create strong policies to reduce the abuse.
“I am a survivor of sexual abuse. I was abused by a close family member for many years. I was six years old, and I was only able to tell my parents when I was 15,” said Ligiero.
In Tanzania, the report found that 27% of girls and 22% of boys had been sexually abused before turning 18. Additionally, 59% of children in Tanzania had been sexually abused before the age of 15.
The study, conducted with the World Health Organization (WHO), the University of Georgia, China Agricultural University, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the University of Edinburgh, included data from 193 countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, and gathered information on 2.4 billion children globally.
Gender and child rights advocates in Tanzania spoke about these statistics, urging action. The Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC), Dr. Anna Henga, said:
“I am not surprised by these numbers because they are the same ones we have seen before. What surprises me is why we are not protecting our children. What needs to be done is to protect our children through policies, laws, and proper behavior.”
The study also found that children who are victims of sexual abuse are 270% more likely to develop mental health issues, which can lead to depression and suicide.
