SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS: A GLOBAL ISSUE

Sexual violence against women and girls  is recognized as a form of violence against women. Although many forms of sexual violence exist, for the purpose of this study, the focus has been placed on rape and sexual assault. Although various other forms of sexual violence affect women and girls’ lives – such as sexual harassment and human trafficking – sexual violence within this study refers specifically to rape and sexual assault unless otherwise specified. These forms of violence can take place in the domestic or public sphere by family members, friends, neighbours or strangers, to women and girls of any age, ability, culture, ethnicity, religion and sexuality. According to a 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) global review of available data, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Some country studies show that up to 70 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence perpetrated by men in their lifetimes, the majority by husbands, intimate partners or someone they know

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