Groundbreaking Study highlights responses to Sexual Violence Against Children

Child sexual abuse and exploitation happen everywhere and are pressing concerns for both wealthy and developing countries alike, according to a first-of-its-kind research programme, Out of the Shadows: Shining light on the response to child sexual abuse and exploitation. Developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit ( www.EIU.com ) with support from the World Childhood Foundation and Oak Foundation and with additional support from the Carlson Family Foundation, the Out of the Shadows Index and report are unique tools that reveal how 40 countries at the national level are confronting child sexual abuse and exploitation. The policies, practices and standards presented in the index highlight how governments, the private sector and civil society can move toward achieving Target 16.2 in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.

Created with guidance from an international panel of experts, the index covers a comprehensive range of critical issues, including policies on child marriage, reproductive and sexual health, gender differences, law enforcement, and child sexual abuse online, where the expansion of broadband internet has placed more children at risk. Index indicators also focus on the engagement of businesses in fighting child sexual abuse and exploitation, especially the technology and travel/tourism industries. The 40 countries included in the index cover 70% of the global population under 19 years of age.

Key findings from the Out of the Shadows study:

The UK, Sweden and Canada hold the top three positions in the index. UK government policy to protect children is particularly well developed, and the country has a high level of engagement from industry, civil society and the media. Sweden’s overall environment for children and its legal framework are especially strong, as are Canada’s.Complete rankings are available online at OutoftheShadows.eiu.com

Datato measureandunderstandthescaleoftheproblemarelacking.Despite investments and efforts globally to combat and catalogue online child sexual abuse and totrackreported incidentsofsexualviolenceagainstchildren,justhalfofthe40 countries reviewed in this index collect nationally representative prevalence data on child sexual abuse and only five collect such data on child sexual exploitation.

Boys are overlooked. Just over half (21) of the 40 countries do not have legal protections forboyswithintheirchildrapelaws, whileonly18countriescollectprevalencedata about sexual abuse of boys.

Countryactionhasbeenmostpronouncedonlegalframeworksthatprotectchildren. International coalitions can be a path to better legislation, and countries that have strong legalstructures alsohavegoodfundamentals, includingdesignatednationalplans, policies and institutions to address sexual violence against children.

Combattingchildsexualabuseandexploitationisbecomingagreaterpriorityonthe globalstageandinmanyindividualcountries, andresearchshowsthatprogressis possible even when resources are limited.

Sexual violence against children takes place mostly in the shadows, but is a universal threat— no boy or girl is immune. Yet this especially pernicious form of abuse is rarely discussed, even though its emotional and health consequences linger, and the socioeconomic impacts can be devastating. The risks to children have been greatly increased by improved communications connectivity and mobility, which make it easier for offenders to find and lure children online.

What can countries and companies do? Barriers and pathways to progress in fighting sexual violence against children are discussed in detail in the index report and data model, which are

available online at OutoftheShadows.eiu.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Economist Newspaper Limited.

Media Inquiries: eiu-international@grayling.com

About The Economist Intelligence Unit The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) ( www.EIU.com ) is the research arm of The Economist Group, publisher of The Economist. As the world’s leading provider of country intelligence, it helps governments, institutions and businesses by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis of economic and development strategies. Through its public policy practice, The EIU provides evidence-based research for policymakers and stakeholders seeking measureable outcomes, in fields ranging from gender and finance to energy and security. It conducts research through interviews, regulatory analysis, quantitative modelling and forecasting, and displays the results via interactive data visualisation tools. Through a global network of more than 750 analysts and contributors, The EIU continuously assesses and forecasts political, economic and business conditions in more than 200 countries. For more information, visit www.EIU.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theeiu .