November 18 is UN World Day vs Child Sexual Abuse

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously approved a resolution Monday designating November 18 every year as the day to spotlight the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

The Global Collaborative, a survivor-led network of NGO’s, faith-based institutions, survivor networks and government, lauded the UN resolution as an “incredible global victory.”

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What the UN resolution calls for

The adopted resolution called for the 193 member-nations of the UN to declare November 18 as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. 

Who sponsored the UN resolution?

Sierra Leone and Nigeria sponsored the resolution, with 110 other countries as co-sponsors

Sierra Leone’s first lady, Fatima Maada Bio, introduced the resolution at the UNGA stakeout. She said child sexual abuse is a “heinous crime” that greatly affects girls who are most at risk of forced sex and exploitation.

“When someone violates your body without your consent, that is a crime, and it’s taking your human rights away from you,” Ms Bio said.

“So, November 18 will be a day that we will gather, and we will scream together and say, `You’re not going to bring us down. We’re still surviving, and we will live. If you think you have finished us, no, you haven’t.’”

What the world needs to do every November 18

The day will also be used to take steps towards prevention and to bring perpetrators to justice. Victims should be given a voice as a part of the long process of healing.

Aside from the governments of 193 countries, international organizations, world leaders, civil society, nongovernmental organizations, faith leaders, academic institutions and private businesses are urged to commemorate the day “in a manner that each considers most appropriate.”

Why child sexual abuse is a global menace

The World Health Organization reports 120 million girls and young women under 20 years of age have suffered some form of forced sexual contact.

A report by The Global Collaborative, a survivor-led network of NGO’s, faith-based institutions, survivor networks and government, cited studies that one in five womnn and one in 13 men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. 

“At least 60 percent of child sexual abusse victims never disclose their abuse,” The Global Collaborative said. “In some parts of the world, one out of every two children have experienced sexual abuse.”

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