Millions of people around the world are affected by the daily reality of sexual violence. Rape, sexual assault, and molestation are just a few examples of the numerous forms this violence can take, particularly when it occurs in the context of domestic violence.

Sexual assault can affect anybody, but women and girls are considerably more likely than males to be the victims of it than men are, because to structural misogyny and enduring inequalities. Sexual violence is a form of gender-based violence that can only be abolished by addressing the underlying reasons of sexism because the vast majority of victims are women and girls and the majority of perpetrators are men.

Because all acts of sexual violence are about power, control, and entitlement and not sexual desire, there are universal pillars that can be applied to preventing and ending the practice.

At Equality Now we know that ending sexual violence everywhere requires Laws that stigmatize victims and hinder the possibility for justice and accountability must be replaced by laws that reflect the true nature of sexual violence, exclude negative stereotypes and myths, and are informed by the experiences of survivors.

Good laws are a critical first step, but they alone are not enough to prevent sexual violence and deliver justice to survivors. Laws are only effective if they are properly implemented and that requires educating the population on their rights and properly training those who are tasked with carrying out the law.