U.N. Declares Nov. 18 World Day Aimed at Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

The United Nations has declared Nov. 18 as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence. The resolution, which was co-sponsored by more than 120 countries, was adopted with loud applause.

United Nations’ World Days have been established traditionally to shed light on global issues. “This is a historic step forward and shines a global spotlight on the epidemic of child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts on millions of survivors around the word,” said Saprea Managing Director Chris Yadon.

UNICEF statistics indicate there are nearly 300 million survivors of child sexual abuse worldwide. “The trauma of child sexual abuse has a huge impact not only on the survivors but also their loved ones,” Yadon said. “The timing is right for a movement that focuses national and international attention on this issue. No single organization can drive a movement. We need collective and shared leadership from governments, nonprofits, and citizens.”

Saprea is a nonprofit focused on liberating individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. With free clinically proven tools and resources, Saprea empowers survivors, parents, and community members with the knowledge needed to protect, heal, and understand the issue.

“Child sexual abuse is a global public health crisis,” said H.E. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone. “We must acknowledge this problem, and take every necessary action to protect our children, especially our girls, from this tragic human condition.”

The resolution, facilitated by Sierra Leone and Nigeria, aims to bring global visibility to the problem of child sexual abuse and promote the right for every child to grow up free from all forms of sexual abuse, both online and offline.

“The toll child sexual abuse takes goes deep. It harms the victim, and their loved ones, and it has grave consequences to the health and wellbeing of our nations costing billions each year in increased health care costs and lost GDP,” said H.E. Bio.

Saprea is proud to be one of the many organizations that support this resolution and hopes to continue making a difference in the fight against child sexual abuse. To learn more about Saprea and its prevention and healing resources, visit saprea.org.