A global crisis we can prevent

TA new study published in Nature Human Behaviour provides the clearest picture yet of the global burden of childhood sexual violence, and the findings are staggering.

Researchers from Georgia State University’s School of Public Health, Together for Girls, Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, and 12 partner organizations analyzed data from 1,412 studies across 147 countries to estimate the scale of childhood sexual violence worldwide. The study found that, in 2024 alone, more than 130 million children experienced sexual violence.

The findings also challenge long-standing assumptions. While girls remain disproportionately affected in most regions, the gender gap was smaller than previous estimates suggested, underscoring that boys have likely been undercounted and underserved globally.

Most importantly, the study reinforces that prevention is possible.

In Kenya, findings from VACS helped catalyze coordinated government action, legal reform, and investments in health, education, and social services. Over less than a decade, sexual violence against girls declined from 36% to 25%.

“This study represents the largest evidence base ever assembled on sexual violence against children,” said Xiangming Fang, Research Associate Professor in the School of Public Health. “Our findings highlight the alarming global burden of sexual violence against children and the urgent need for evidence-based prevention strategies and programs to safeguard children worldwide.”

At the INSPIRE Evidence Lab, this work reinforces a core principle: data must drive action. Population-level evidence is essential not only for understanding the scale of violence, but for mobilizing governments, strengthening accountability, and accelerating prevention efforts that protect children worldwide.

Ending childhood sexual violence is possible—but only if we match evidence with action. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/47F37WP 👈