Overview

• A comprehensive study published in The Lancet estimates global childhood sexual violence prevalence at 18.9% for girls and 14.8% for boys in 2023.
• Over half of survivors report first experiencing abuse before age 18, with nearly half before age 16 and a significant proportion before age 12.
• South Asia records the highest prevalence for girls, with India reporting over 30% affected, while sub-Saharan Africa leads for boys, with Côte d’Ivoire at 28.8%.
• The study highlights persistent underreporting and inconsistent data collection, emphasizing the need for standardized global surveillance systems.
• Researchers call for urgent legal, policy, and multisectoral reforms to protect children and provide lifelong support for survivors.