Violence against women and girls is a human rights scandal; from the bedroom to the battlefield, from the schoolyard to the work place, women and girls are at risk from rape and other forms of sexual violence.

The response of governments to rape and other forms of sexual violence is still inadequate.

The woman who is abused, assaulted or raped is entitled to a range of respectful and supportive services that respond to her particular circumstances in her local community.

Key points:

• Women and girls must be able to go about their everyday lives without being under threat of sexual or other violence.
• Sexual violence against women is exacerbated by the inadequate implementation of laws.
• Victims and survivors of sexual violence must have full access to adequate and effective legal redress and to health information, aid, protection and services.
• Sexual violence against women is kept hidden by victims’ and survivors’ fear of stigmatisation.

Explore this issue in greater detail:

Violence in the home
Violence in conflict and post conflict
Violence against indigenous women
Trafficking
Sexual and reproductive rights