Together for Girls: Sexual Violence Fact Sheet

This fact sheet was assembled to support the Together for Girls Framework for Action (See Related Summaries below), intended to provide evidence in facts and figures on sexual violence against children, particularly girls. In addition to these facts assembled from various sources gathered between 2006 and 2011, the document includes short and long-term consequences and recommendations to address sexual violence. [Footnotes are removed by the editor.]

Examples of facts and figures include:

• "The National Violence Against Children Surveys showed that among women aged 18-24 years, nearly 38% in Swaziland, 27% in Tanzania and 32% in Zimbabwe reported experiencing any sexual violence before the age of 18. About 1 in 9 men in Tanzania and 1 in 10 men in Zimbabwe experienced the same."
• "In a study conducted in six Central American cities, 3% to 10% of men aged 19-30 reported experiencing sexual abuse as a child. Most men reported this abuse taking place when they were between 4 and 9 years of age."

Examples of short and long-term consequences include:

• "Witnessing violence as a child can also lead to a cycle of violence. Studies have found a strong association between witnessing and experiencing violence in childhood and becoming victims or perpetrating intimate partner and sexual violence during adulthood. Data from multiple countries show that girls who witness violence among their parents are at higher risk of becoming victims of intimate partner and sexual violence later in life and that men who had witnessed or been victims of violence were more likely to use violence against their partners."
• "Sexual violence experienced as a child can have a profound impact on core aspects of emotional, behavioral and physical health and social development throughout life. Sexual violence can also result in immediate and chronic physical and psychological consequences as wide ranging as heart disease to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and attempted or completed suicide.

Recommendations, in their entirety, include:

• "Increase the evidence base on sexual violence against children: Supporting prevalence studies, such as the Violence Against Children Survey, is effective to mobilize action as well as track progress. Support is also needed for qualitative research to better understand the circumstances surrounding violence and action research to identify cost-effective prevention interventions and care and support strategies. National information systems, including birth registration, can help protect children and track progress.
• Mobilize political will and resources to end sexual violence against children: Sustained momentum toward addressing sexual violence requires evidence-based advocacy and partnerships at the local, national and global levels.
• Implement effective legislation, policies and programs to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children, with a focus on girls: Addressing sexual violence requires an integrated legislative, policy and programmatic response from the national and local levels, including legal, health, child protection, education, social welfare, gender and HIV sectors.
• Empower governments, civil society, communities and families to be accountable and take action to address the social tolerance of violence against children, especially sexual violence against girls, and promote a climate of social change against harmful norms, attitudes, behaviors and practices.
• Support girls and boys to have the life skills, knowledge and support systems to lead productive and healthy lives."