Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of sexual violence against teenagers in the developed world, with nearly 30 percent of girls and one in five boys aged 12 to 18 reporting abuse, according to a new global study published in The Lancet.
The figures surpass those of Australia, the US and UK, and are well above the global average.
The research, spanning 200 countries over three decades, found that nearly 19 percent of young women and almost 15 percent of young men worldwide had experienced sexual violence.
In New Zealand, the rates were just shy of 30 percent for females and almost 22 percent for males. Only a few countries, such as the Solomon Islands and Côte d’Ivoire, reported higher figures.
Most first experienced abuse during childhood.
Despite a $70 million, 25-year government plan launched in 2021, known as Te Aorerekura, recent reports show sexual abuse rates may be rising. The programme’s second phase, currently underway, has fewer targets and includes a review of the $1.3 billion allocated to family and sexual violence services.
“We’re focused on doing a smaller number of things, but doing them more effectively,” said Minister Karen Chhour.
Dr Rachel Roskvist added that the study failed to include data on transgender, non-binary, or intersex youth, groups known to be at elevated risk.
