A new study published in The Lancet has found that over 30% of girls and 13% of boys in India experienced sexual violence before the age of 18 in the year 2023. These numbers are part of a larger global study covering more than 200 countries between 1990 and 2023.

The study shows that South Asia had the highest rates of sexual violence against girls, with numbers ranging from 9.3% in Bangladesh to 30.8% in India, making India the country with the highest percentage in the region.

One in five girls worldwide affected

Globally, the data shows that about one in five girls and one in seven boys face sexual abuse before they become adults. These figures show how widespread and serious the issue is.

Boys in Sub-Saharan Africa also at high risk

The research also found that sub-Saharan Africa had the highest rates of sexual violence against boys, with numbers ranging from 8% in Zimbabwe to 28% in Côte d'Ivoire.

Health and human rights problem

Experts behind the study, including researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said that sexual violence against children is a major public health and human rights concern. They explained that children who go through such abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health issues later in life.

The researchers said having accurate worldwide estimates helps in planning better prevention programs and encouraging governments and organizations to take action. Until now, many reports have only shown data from a small number of countries. This study is one of the first efforts to present a clearer global picture of the problem.

 

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