A UNICEF report reveals that over 370 million girls and women, or one in eight worldwide, experienced rape or sexual assault before age 18, with the number rising to 650 million, or one in five, when including non-contact sexual violence like online abuse, Reuters reports.
The findings, based on surveys from 120 countries, underscore the need for global action, better laws, and improved data collection. The report notes that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of affected women and girls, with 79 million, followed by Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 75 million.
UNICEF calls for urgent steps to help children recognize and report abuse, stressing that sexual violence inflicts deep trauma, often by trusted individuals. Most incidents occur during adolescence, leading to increased risks of sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
The report also indicated that approximately 240 to 310 million boys and men, or one in eleven, faced similar experiences during childhood.
