15 million girls forced into sex by partners, relatives, friends – UN

The United Nations on Wednesday said 15 million teenage girls worldwide have been forced into sex, often by partners, relatives or friends, yet only one in 100 sought help.

UNICEF on Wednesday said in a report which examined data from more than 40 countries, that Cameroon had the highest rate of sexual violence, with one in six teenage girls experiencing forced sex.

“This idea of women being at the disposal of men is a big factor driving the experience of sexual violence of girls,” report author Claudia Cappa said.

In the majority of cases, the abuser was known to the victim, with acts of sexual violence carried out by husbands, boyfriends, family members, friends and classmates.

UNICEF said widespread sexual violence against teenage girls could hinder global progress toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals — a plan to end poverty, hunger, achieve gender equality and protect the planet by 2030.

The UN agency said the number of girls who have been forced to have sex is likely to be far higher than 15 million as many are reluctant to come forward and data is lacking in many countries.