Sexual assault is apparently more prevalent than it seems. In a new study, researchers have found that one in 14 women, who are over 15 years old, has been sexually assaulted by a non-partner.
In the study "Worldwide prevalence of non-partner sexual violence: a systematic review", which was published in The Lancet Feb. 11, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the South African Medical Research Council and the World Health Organization used 77 studies published between the years 1998 and 2011 to find global estimates of non-partner sexual violence against women who are at least 15 years old.
The researchers found that 7.2 percent of women worldwide experienced sexual violence perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends and acquaintances who are not their partner. The situation is also worse in some regions where the percentage of women getting sexually assaulted is as high as 21 percent.
"Our findings, that one in 14 women worldwide has been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, highlight what a pressing health and human rights concern this is," said study co-author Charlotte Watts, Director of the Gender, Violence and Health Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom.
The Democratic Republic of Congo had the highest rate of sexual violence at 21 percent. Many women also experienced sexual violence in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe (17.4 percent), as well as in developed countries such as Australia and New Zealand (16.4 percent). India and Bangladesh showed the lowest rate at 3.3 percent each followed by Turkey at 4.5 percent.
"Sexual violence against women is common worldwide, with endemic levels seen in some areas, although large variations between settings need to be interpreted with caution because of differences in data availability and levels of disclosure," the researchers wrote. "Nevertheless, our findings indicate a pressing health and human rights concern."
The researchers noted that the data they gathered may not actually reflect the true magnitude of the problem because of the stigma associated with sexual violence which leads to under-reporting and consequently lack of quality population-based data.
"There are still many gaps in the global data - countries need to have strong population-based data, to ensure that they can understand the scale of problem, and who is most at risk," Watts said. "Alongside support and legal responses, it is important to invest in prevention to stop future violence."
