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Globally, we build advocacy tools and develop technical guidance for violence prevention and response, helping to ensure services are appropriate and sensitive to the needs of survivors. UNICEF plays a key role in preventing and responding to sexual violence worldwide – both in emergency and non-emergency contexts – through programmes, partnerships and advocacy. And as abuse and exploitation become entrenched, progress towards development and peace can stall – with consequences for entire societies. Most children who face sexual abuse experience other kinds of violence. The harmful norms that perpetuate sexual violence take a heavy toll on families and communities too. When online, children may be susceptible to sexual coercion and in-contact sexual abuse by offenders who attempt to extort them for content and financial gain. The internet has opened a rapidly growing global market for the production, distribution and consumption of child sexual abuse materials, such as photographs and videos.

While sexual violence is fundamentally a crime of power, it is increasingly driven by economic motives. And as child victims reach adulthood, sexual violence can reduce their ability to care for themselves and others. Some victims may resort to risky behaviours like substance abuse to cope with trauma.

Victims experience an increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, pain, illness, unwanted pregnancy, social isolation and psychological trauma.

Sexual violence results in severe physical, psychological and social harm. During armed conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies, women and children are especially vulnerable to sexual violence – including conflict-related sexual violence, intimate partner violence and trafficking for sexual exploitation – as well as other forms of gender-based violence. Although sexual violence occurs everywhere, risks surge in emergency contexts.