NPR

Report: Solutions To Stop Sexual Violence Against Children

A new study reviews evidence on what kind of solutions are effective. It's a much-needed guide for policymakers, says Regan Hofmann of UNAIDS.
Daniela Ligiero is CEO of Together for Girls, an organization that works to prevent violence against children. She was sexually abused as a child but kept silent until a made-for-TV movie gave her the courage to speak out.

Sexual violence against children happens everywhere: in wealthy enclaves, in slums, in suburbs, in rural villages.

Invariably, it happens in secret: in the privacy of family homes, in dark corners of schools and churches, and in murky shadows at neighborhood, community, sporting and scouting events.

It happens often, and periodically groups put out reports to call attention to the issue. "That's usually where the story stops," says Daniela Ligiero, CEO and executive director of Together for Girls, an organization that works to prevent violence against children. "But there's a lot to be done to prevent it. We want to showcase solutions."

Together for Girls, in partnership with the Oak Foundation and the Equality Institute, organizations with similar goals of preventing violence against children, examined scientific studies and sought expert opinion to was released Nov. 19.

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