Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents

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Recommended: Sexual abuse and its effects on the education of a child

Sexual violence against children and adolescents is a major global health problem. According to data gathered by Save the Children and the agency’s experience in conflict-affected areas 80% of children living in areas of conflict or disaster are affected by sexual abuse, which is estimated to be over 30 million children. Additionally, likely perpetrators are from government armed forces and non-state armed forces and civilians (Save the Children Fund, 2013). Studies from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti, Cote d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Columbia and the Central Africa Republic estimate that between 52% and 70% of sexual violence cases involved mostly girls 18 years and younger although, boys can also be the victims of sexual violence (Save the Children Fund, 2013). Sexual violence is an umbrella term for a variety of harmful and sexually abusive behaviors. Sometimes this term is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV) which specifically encompasses the scope of sexual abuses in conflict and post-disasters against women and children. In the literature there are many definitions of sexual violence. For this grant application, the definition of sexual violence is “all forms of sexual abuse, exploitation, assault, pornography, prostitution, trafficking for sexual purposes, sex tourism, early and forced marriage and enslavement” (Save the Children Fund, 2013; ECPAT International, 2006). It occurs among both females and males. Although reporting of sexual violence against male children is low, Azil strongly enforces the inclusion of all children despite gender (Save the Children Fund, 2013; ECPAT International, 2006). Additionally, the definition of disasters is both conflict-affected areas (war, genocide, etc.), an e... ... middle of paper ... ...College Student Development, 40, 132-140. Rao, T.S.S., Nagpal, M. & Andrade, C. (2013). Sexual coercion: time to rise to the challenge. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55, 211-213. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.117125. Save the Children (2013). Unspeakable Crimes Against Children: Sexual violence in conflict. The Save the Children Fund. Retrieved from http://reliefweb.int/report/world/unspeakable-crimes-against-children-sexual-violence-conflict. Spangaro, J., Adogu, C., Ranmuthugala, G., Davies, G.P., Steinacker, L. & Zwi, A. (2013). What evidence exists for initiatives to reduce risk and incidence of sexual violence in armed conflict and other humanitarian crises? a systematic review. PLoS ONE 8(5): e62600. doi:10.1371/journal.phone.0062600. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2005). Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice – Second Edition. NIH.

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