US EditionStudy finds early sexual abuse common among male and female survivors
- A global analysis of childhood sexual violence, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington’s IHME and published in The Lancet on May 8, 2025, examined the prevalence of such abuse across 204 locations worldwide.
- The study revealed that nearly 20% of women endured sexual violence at 15 years old or younger, with the majority of first incidents happening before they turned 18.
- Researchers found that survivors face elevated risks of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, increased likelihood of substance misuse, a greater prevalence of infections transmitted sexually, and respiratory conditions like asthma, while highlighting persistent shortcomings in data collection efforts.
- Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou highlighted the necessity for immediate global efforts to enhance legislation, policy frameworks, and expert responses, while Dr. Luisa Flor stressed the importance of prevention and supportive interventions.
- The study suggests that persistent high prevalence worldwide requires expanded surveillance, standard measurement, and stronger child protection policies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Radio France Internationale
Sexual violence: one in five women and one in seven men in childhood worldwide
The British reference medical journal The Lancet released a report on sexual violence against children on Thursday, 8 May, detailing the data by age and sex. The study reveals that one in five women and one in seven men were victims of sexual violence during their childhood, but also the age at which these young survivors were first subjected to such assaults.
Nearly half of sexual abuse first happens at age 15 or younger, global study finds - Tech and Science Post
Nearly one out of five women and one out of seven men aged 20 and older globally faced sexual violence as a child, according to a study published in The Lancet. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle conducted the analysis using the newest Global Burden of Disease research. This is the most comprehensive investigation of the prevalence of sexual violence against childr…
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