Responding to Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Sexually Abused: WHO clinical guidelines

A study from 2011 estimates that 18% of girls and 8% of boys worldwide have experienced sexual abuse. This constitutes a major public health problem. Health providers, in many cases, are the first line of response for victims of sexual violence. It is crucial that they are trained to help survivors in the best way possible: empathetically, respectfully, and according to their needs.

This is the first guideline of its kind to be published by the World Health Organization. It is designed to help front-line healthcare providers give high-quality care to children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence, including assault or rape. These guidelines were developed with a focus on healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries, therefore making the guidelines appropriate for settings where resources may be limited.