Global Study Reveals High Rates of Sexual Violence Against Children

Sexual violence against children has profound and lasting consequences, including psychiatric disorders, substance use, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and suicide risk. New global survey data revealed that more than 1 in 10 children aged 19 years or younger experienced sexual harassment—a form of sexual violence not involving contact, according to the World Health Organization—in their lifetime, which sheds new light on the prevalence of this public health issue.