Over 30% girls, 13% boys in India face sexual abuse before 18: Lancet study
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New Delhi: More than 30 per cent of girls and 13 per cent of boys in India were subjected to sexual violence before reaching the age of 18 in 2023, according to a comprehensive global analysis published in The Lancet journal. The study, one of the first of its kind, estimates the prevalence of sexual violence against children across more than 200 countries between 1990 and 2023.
India recorded the highest rates of childhood sexual violence against girls in South Asia, with a staggering 30.8 per cent, followed by Bangladesh at 9.3 per cent. Globally, the study found that approximately one in five girls and one in seven boys are estimated to experience sexual violence before turning 18.
The research, conducted by a team that included experts from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, United States, also identified sub-Saharan Africa as the region with the highest prevalence of sexual violence against boys. The estimates range from about eight per cent in Zimbabwe to as high as 28 per cent in Côte d'Ivoire.
Researchers emphasised that sexual violence against children is not only a severe violation of human rights but also a pressing public health concern. Survivors often face long-term consequences, including an increased risk of mental health disorders and other adverse health outcomes throughout their lives.
The study underscored the need for accurate, global estimates to better inform and target prevention efforts. It revealed that previous research had been limited to only a handful of countries and had been constrained by sparse data and methodological challenges.
The findings showed that in 2023, the global age-standardised prevalence of sexual violence against children was estimated at 18.9 per cent for females and 14.8 per cent for males. Alarmingly, the study also found that for nearly 70 per cent of the world’s men and women who reported experiencing sexual violence, the first exposure occurred before the age of 18.
Despite the gravity of the findings, the researchers pointed to "persistent data gaps" that continue to hinder global understanding and response efforts. They called for expanded and more inclusive surveys, stronger surveillance programmes, and the establishment of robust support systems for survivors. Additionally, they stressed the urgent need for global initiatives to ensure childhoods free from sexual violence.
The study stands as a call to action for governments, civil society, and health organisations to intensify prevention strategies and provide sustained care for survivors worldwide.
With PTI inputs
