According to UNICEF, one in eight girls suffers sexual assault before the age of 18

A new UNICEF report shows that over 370 million women and girls – or one in eight worldwide – have experienced sexual violence, including rape and assault, before the age of 18. The figures were released ahead of International Day of the Girl on October 11, representing the first comprehensive global and regional data on childhood sexual violence.

The report highlights that the number rises to 650 million, or 1 in 5, when “non-contact” forms of abuse – such as online harassment or verbal attacks – are taken into account. The shocking statistics underscore the urgent need for urgent and comprehensive strategies to prevent and combat widespread violations of children’s rights.

“Sexual violence against children is a stain on our moral conscience,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “It causes deep and lasting trauma, often at the hands of someone the child knows and trusts, in places where they should feel safe.”

The pervasive nature of childhood sexual violence extends across cultural, geographical and economic boundaries. The report highlights sub-Saharan Africa as the region with the highest number of victims, with 79 million women and girls affected. Other affected regions include East and Southeast Asia (75 million), Central and South Asia (73 million), Europe and North America (68 million) and Latin America and the Caribbean (45 million).

The situation is even worse in regions characterized by conflict and political instability. Girls in fragile environments such as refugee camps or areas hosting UN peacekeeping missions are at higher risk, with more than one in four girls experiencing sexual violence. “We are witnessing horrific sexual violence in conflict zones, where rape and gender-based violence are often used as weapons of war,” Russell added.

The report highlights a worrying trend: most sexual violence against children occurs during adolescence, with a significant increase between ages 14 and 17. Victims are more likely to experience repeated abuse, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to break the cycle of trauma.

The long-term effects of sexual violence can be devastating. Survivors often struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. The trauma is compounded when survivors delay disclosing their abuse or fail to report it at all.

While girls and women make up the majority of victims, the report also notes that boys are similarly affected. Between 240 and 310 million boys and men experienced sexual violence during their childhood, with the number rising to 530 million when non-contact forms of abuse are included.

As the World Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children approaches next month, UNICEF is calling for urgent international action. Key recommendations include changing harmful social norms, providing children with information to report abuse, ensuring victims’ access to support services and strengthening legal frameworks to protect children.