Lancet Report on Sexual Violence Against Children

Context: A Lancet study revealed that over 30% of girls and 13% of boys in India faced sexual violence before the age of 18, highlighting a deep-rooted child safety crisis.

About Lancet Report on Sexual Violence Against Children:

What is the Study?

• Published in The Lancet, the report is a global meta-analysis covering over 200 countries (1990–2023), led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington.

• It estimates age-standardised prevalence of child sexual abuse globally for the first time using consistent metrics.

Key Findings:

• India: 30.8% of girls and 13% of boys experienced sexual abuse before 18. Highest prevalence for girls in South Asia.

• 30.8% of girls and 13% of boys experienced sexual abuse before 18.

• Highest prevalence for girls in South Asia.

• Global Average (2023): 18.9% females, 14.8% males experienced childhood sexual abuse. 70% of victims were first abused before the age of 18.

• 18.9% females, 14.8% males experienced childhood sexual abuse.

• 70% of victims were first abused before the age of 18.

Impacts of Child Sexual Abuse:

• Leads to lifelong mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, PTSD.

• Affects education, trust in institutions, and future socio-economic participation.

• Creates an intergenerational trauma cycle, affecting family and community wellbeing.

• Highlights systemic failures in prevention, reporting, and survivor rehabilitation.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper 2 – Governance, Social Justice

• Issues related to children, POCSO Act, child protection mechanisms (NCPCR, ICPS). Policy gaps, Centre–State coordination, and data-led governance.

• Issues related to children, POCSO Act, child protection mechanisms (NCPCR, ICPS).

• Policy gaps, Centre–State coordination, and data-led governance.

• GS Paper 4 – Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude

• Moral responsibility of institutions towards vulnerable populations. Case studies on ethical leadership, public trust, and safeguarding dignity of minors.

• Moral responsibility of institutions towards vulnerable populations.

• Case studies on ethical leadership, public trust, and safeguarding dignity of minors.

• Essay / Case Study

• Useful in essays on “Justice for Children”, “Safeguarding the Vulnerable”, and governance reforms.