Glossary
Prevalence
We analyze two types of CSEA prevalence:
- Lifetime exposure ("ever experienced")
- Exposure in the last 12 months ("experienced in the last year")
VACS
VACS are nationally representative household surveys of adolescents and young people (ages 13 to 24) that generate a wide range of information about violence victimization during childhood and adolescence. These surveys measure the prevalence and circumstances surrounding sexual, physical and emotional violence in childhood (that is, before turning 18 years old) by collecting the retrospective reports of young men and woman 18 to 24 years old, and the direct reports of children and adolescents 13 to 17 years old.
CSEA
Child sexual exploitation and abuse
Prevalence and nature of child sexual exploitation and abuse
Understanding child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is vital because:
- It reveals the true scale of CSEA, often hidden due to underreporting, societal stigma and lack of reliable data.
- It helps create effective policies and strategies to combat CSEA.
- It identifies patterns and risk factors, aiding in prevention and early intervention.
This study uses data from 17 countries, leveraging the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) to provide reliable insights and inform policies.
The following sections present the key findings.
Variation in CSEA prevalence across countries is huge
(17 countries)
For both lifetime and last year prevalences, and from the reports of both age groups (13-17 and 18-24). The range difference between the maximum and minimum observed value is 37 percentage points for females.
Reported by 13 to 17 years old
Reported by 18 to 24 years old
The mean lifetime CSEA prevalence is especially high for girls and young woman. Lifetime exposure to CSEA reported by children and youth 13 to 17 years old is 1.97 times higher for females.
However, variation across this sample of countries is similarly high for both young men and women. It is important to highlight that there are many more differences across gender in the nature of CSEA. In the next sections we will describe gender differences in terms of the victim's characteristics:
Also perpetrator's characteristics:And lastly, the location of the event.
CSEA happens very early in life, for both men and women
(12 countries)
Approximately half of CSEA victims say that the first perpetration happened before they were 13 years old. Yet, it happens even earlier in life for girls: more than one third (37.6%) of the young woman (18-24 years old) affected by CSEA report that the first perpetration happened before they were 13.
Reported by 13 to 17 years old
Reported by 18 to 24 years old
Poly-victimization is very common among CSEA victims
(17 countries)
According to the VACS data, the proportion of CSEA victims that were also victims of physical or emotional violence is approximately 43% for girls and 44% for boys. The graphics show extreme cases such as Tanzania , Haiti and Malawi, where this proportion exceeds 50%.
Female Victims
Reported by 13 to 17 years old
Reported by 18 to 24 years old
Male Victims
Reported by 13 to 17 years old
Reported by 18 to 24 years old
Average educational attainment of both female and male CSEA victims is very low
(15 countries)
Less than 6% of the victims (18 to 24 years old) report having more than secondary education, and almost two thirds report having only primary education or less
The situation varies significantly across countries, and between men and woman in terms of the relationship between victims of CSEA and their first perpetrator
(8 countries)
The two most frequent relationships reported by females are: “current or Former Romantic Partners” and “friend, classmate, or neighbour”, with the first one being the most prevalent. For male victims the most salient relationship with the perpetrator was by far “friend, classmate, or neighbour”.
Reported by 13 to 17 years old
Reported by 18 to 24 years old
According to the VACS data, CSEA perpetrators are young
(9 countries)
Approximately one third of the CSEA victims report that the first perpetrator was 14 years old or less, and another third that the perpetrator was between 15 and 18 years old. This pattern is similar for young men and women.
The evidence provided by the VACS suggests home is not the safest place
(6 countries)
According to the VACS data, 60 to 70% of CSEA victims report that the first event happened at home. Home in this case indicates the home setting and is either the victim's or perpetrator's home.