Media release

From: The Lancet

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: A quarter of girls aged 15–19 years who have been in a relationship experience violence from their partner at least once, global study suggests  

The average rate of physical or sexual violence towards adolescent girls (15-19 years old) who are, or have been, in a relationship is 24%, suggests an analysis of 2018 global, regional, and country estimates from 161 countries and areas. The rate varied greatly across different countries and regions* – from 3% in Georgia to 49% in Papua New Guinea – including:

• 20% in the UK
• 20% in the USA
• 27% in India
• 18% in Australia

Countries with higher rates of female secondary school enrolment and those with inheritance laws that are more gender-equal had lower prevalence of partner violence against adolescent girls. Lower-income countries and societies with a high prevalence of child marriage had higher prevalence of physical or sexual violence by a partner against adolescent girls. 

Authors of the study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, say their findings highlight the widespread prevalence of violence from partners against adolescent girls around the world. They call for policies and programmes that increase and ensure gender equality, including secondary education for all girls, equal property rights for women, and addressing harmful practices such as child marriage.