April marks Sexual Violence Consciousness Month, an vital alternative to spotlight the continuing problem of sexual violence worldwide. This yr’s theme, “Collectively We Act, United We Change,” has impressed GeoPoll to conduct a examine aimed toward gathering insights into the prevalence, causes, and perceptions surrounding sexual violence. The outcomes present an in depth overview of the problems at hand and pinpoint key areas the place targeted interventions and collaboration are essential. Sexual violence stays a big, deeply ingrained drawback in Africa, impacting tens of millions, particularly girls and ladies.
Based on the World Well being Group (WHO), round 37% of ladies in Sub-Saharan Africa have encountered bodily and/or sexual violence sooner or later of their lives. These alarming statistics function a stark reminder that tackling sexual violence requires pressing and coordinated efforts.
In April 2025, GeoPoll carried out a mobile-based survey with 2,195 respondents throughout 4 African nations—Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This in depth examine aimed to seize perceptions, experiences, and attitudes associated to sexual violence, notably among the many youth demographic. By sharing this information, the report intends to tell focused interventions and encourage collective motion in direction of creating safer and extra supportive communities.
Key Findings
Prevalence: The analysis confirmed that over half of respondents, particularly 55%, have both skilled sexual violence themselves or are conscious of somebody who has. Notably, Uganda stories the very best incidence of such instances, with a staggering 76% of people affected.
Understanding of Sexual violence: Listed here are the three main types of sexual violence: rape and tried rape, sexual harassment, and undesirable sexual touching.
Subsequent Motion: Within the occasion of sexual violence, 52% of the respondent said they might report the incidence to the police or related authorized authorities.
Prevalence
The survey revealed that 92% of respondents are conscious of sexual violence, with 55% indicating that they’ve both personally skilled it or know somebody who has. Conversely, 37% of respondents reported that they’ve neither skilled nor know anybody who has been affected by sexual violence.
What Constitutes Sexual Violence
A major 76% of contributors recognized rape or tried rape as the first type of sexual violence. Following carefully, 74% of respondents pointed to sexual harassment as a critical violation of non-public boundaries. Moreover, 70% acknowledged undesirable sexual touching as a type of assault that infringes on particular person autonomy. Moreover, 54% of these surveyed highlighted the act of sharing sexual content material with out specific consent as one other unacceptable habits that constitutes sexual violence.
Indicators of Sexual Violence
Recognizing the indicators of sexual abuse is essential for offering kids with the assist they want. It will possibly empower them to voice their experiences and assist safe help at an earlier stage. Kids could not all the time bear in mind that what is occurring to them is inappropriate, or they may really feel afraid to speak their scenario. Understanding these indicators is a crucial step in defending and serving to these in want.
The survey revealed that 57% of respondents expressed a excessive degree of confidence of their capability to acknowledge sexual violence. Moreover, 24% reported being considerably assured, whereas 14% remained impartial on the matter. In distinction, 4% indicated they don’t seem to be very assured, and a pair of% said they don’t seem to be assured in any respect in recognizing sexual violence.
Neighborhood and sexual violence
The survey findings revealed vital perceptions of sexual violence inside the group. Particularly, 45% of respondents recognized sexual violence as a serious drawback, whereas 41% acknowledged it as a difficulty, though not widespread. In distinction, 12% of contributors felt that sexual violence isn’t a priority of their group. This information highlights various ranges of consciousness and concern concerning the difficulty of sexual violence within the space.
Bodily Facilities
When requested whether or not they’re conscious of the presence of bodily facilities they’ll go to within the occasion of sexual violence, 71% of respondents are conscious of the bodily facilities they’ll entry within the occasion of sexual violence, whereas 29% are unaware of such assets.
Subsequent Step to take
Within the aftermath of sexual violence, the suitable subsequent steps will be important. Based on current insights, a big 52% of people consider that a very powerful motion is to report the incident to the police or the related authorized authorities. This step will be pivotal in searching for justice and guaranteeing security.
Following carefully, 23% advocate for searching for instant medical consideration, recognizing that immediate care is significant for each bodily and emotional well-being. Moreover, 12% emphasize the significance of preserving proof; they advocate refraining from altering garments or showering, understanding that each piece of proof will be essential in a authorized context.
In the meantime, 8% recommend reaching out to a sexual assault assist group or helpline, offering a pathway to skilled help and emotional assist. Some people, 4%, discover solace in confiding to a trusted pal or member of the family, searching for consolation and understanding throughout such a traumatic time.
Lastly, a small share, 2%, specific uncertainty about what steps to take subsequent, highlighting the necessity for extra consciousness and assets to information these affected of their decision-making.
Sexual Violence Training and Coaching
The examine reveals that 54% of respondents have acquired schooling or coaching whereas attending faculty or college. Moreover, 24% reported buying expertise by work or group applications, whereas 23% have by no means skilled any type of schooling or coaching.
Communication and sexual assault
When requested whether or not they agreed with the assertion, “Sexual assault is a results of miscommunication, not intentional hurt,” the vast majority of respondents expressed clear disagreement. 31% disagreed with the assertion, and 24% strongly disagreed, indicating that over half of the respondents considered sexual assault as an intentional act somewhat than a misunderstanding. In the meantime, 19% agreed and 13% strongly agreed, suggesting {that a} smaller section believed miscommunication might be an element. 15% of respondents remained impartial, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Neighborhood and prevention
In response to the assertion, “It’s the duty of everybody to assist stop sexual violence,” an awesome majority of respondents expressed robust assist. 70% strongly agreed with the assertion, demonstrating a widespread recognition of collective duty in addressing sexual violence. A further 26% agreed, reinforcing the concept that prevention requires the involvement of all members of society. Solely 3% remained impartial, whereas 2% disagreed and a mere 1% strongly disagreed.
These findings spotlight a robust consensus amongst contributors that stopping sexual violence is a collective duty. This reinforces a strong basis for community-led efforts and consciousness initiatives.
Conclusion
By harnessing the ability of information and mobile-based analysis, GeoPoll stays dedicated to illuminating these points and empowering options that guarantee security, dignity, and equality for all.
Methodology/About this Survey
This Unique Survey was run through the GeoPoll cell software between the twenty first and twenty seventh April 2025 in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The pattern dimension was 2,195, composed of random GeoPoll app customers between 18 and 35. Because the survey was randomly distributed, the outcomes are barely skewed in direction of youthful respondents.
GeoPoll is dedicated to supporting NGOs, well being organizations, advocacy teams, and governments in addressing the important problem of sexual violence. Collectively, we will use information to tell focused interventions, drive prevention efforts, and construct stronger, extra responsive assist methods for survivors. Our mobile-based surveys supply a novel and confirmed technique to collect insights on the prevalence of sexual violence, public attitudes, survivor experiences, and group consciousness, particularly in under-resourced and weak areas. By way of well timed and dependable information, we intention to empower stakeholders to create simpler methods and foster safer communities for all.
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