Australia and NZ report the highest prevalence of sexual violence against children in the world

Australia and New Zealand report the highest prevalence of sexual violence against children in the world, according to international research. The study authors searched research databases to compile evidence on the rate of both sexual violence against children involving physical contact and overall sexual violence against children including harassment and online abuse across 147 countries. The results are published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.

Globally, the researchers say 20.1% of women and girls and 16.8% of men and boys report experiencing sexual violence in some form before age 18; 12.4% of women and 10% of men report sexual violence involving physical contact. In Australia and NZ, 34.5% of women and 17% of men report any childhood sexual violence and 24.5% of women and 11.3% of men report contact sexual violence in childhood. The researchers note that cultural stigmas and norms mean sexual violence may be interpreted differently across different countries, which likely influences the chance of someone reporting an experience in these studies.

"This new study provides updated information on the global and regional prevalence of sexual violence against children. Findings underscore the urgent need for prevention of this global and national scourge," said Professor Janet Fanslow, Social and Community Health, University of Auckland.

"In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have had studies documenting the high prevalence of child sexual abuse since the 1990s. The disturbingly high prevalence has been confirmed through repeated high-quality surveys since that time and are reinforced by this global report. Findings of the scale of the problem (that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys have experienced contact sexual abuse, or 1 in 3 girls and almost 1in 5 boys have experienced any sexual abuse) make it clear that this is a national problem.

"What needs to be different this time is not our level of outrage, our dismay, or our horror at these findings. What needs to be different this time is using these findings to catalyze our absolute, unshakable commitment to saying 'not one more child' and following this up with concrete action and investment in evidence-based prevention.

"Preventing sexual abuse of children needs to be part of a wider strategic approach to preventing and responding to all types of family and sexual violence, as these problems are entangled. Achieving the changes needed will require us to resource and build a prevention infrastructure, engage communities, and equip our workforces to prevent and respond to violence.

"Preventing and responding to violence needs to be a sustained leadership priority, with implementation supported at all levels. Yes, this will require financial and other commitments, but this investment makes sense when we recognize the cost of allowing these persistent problems to continue.

"We are already paying with poor educational outcomes, worse national health, overloaded criminal justice systems, and human pain and suffering. Investing in evidence-based prevention is a longer-term commitment to building an economically productive, healthier society. It is an essential step in addressing the problem of child sexual abuse which we have failed to tackle for far too long."

More information:
Xiangming Fang et al, A systematic review of the global and regional estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence against children, Nature Human Behaviour (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-026-02436-1

Provided by University of Auckland