Sexual violence, a prevalent issue worldwide, takes many forms and administers devastating harm on victims. Sexual violence specifically refers to “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, regardless of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim, in any setting.”
This includes rape, defined as forced or coerced penetration, attempted rape, unwanted sexual contact, and non-contact forms of abuse. Rape, as an unlawful sexual act typically committed forcibly or under threat, remains one of the most severe manifestations of sexual violence.
According to the United Nations, violence against women encompasses “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”
This article will delve into some of the most notorious sexual assault cases that have shaken the world. It is crucial to understand the global statistics on sexual violence, harassment, and rape. These figures underscore the widespread and systemic nature of the issue, necessitating urgent and comprehensive action.
What do statistics say?
Globally, sexual violence remains a universal issue, with UNICEF estimating that over 370 million girls and women—1 in 8—have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. Approximately 35% of women worldwide have faced sexual harassment in their lifetime, according to World Population Review data. Intimate partner violence is also widespread, with prevalence rates ranging from 20% in the Western Pacific to 33% in the WHO African and South-East Asia regions.
South Africa has the world’s highest reported rape rate, with 132.4 incidents per 100,000 people and 66,196 cases annually. A survey by the South African Medical Research Council disclosed that one in four men admitted to committing rape. Other countries with high rape rates include Botswana, Lesotho, and Sweden. In the United States, the rape rate stands at 27.3 per 100,000 people, yet only 9% of rapists are prosecuted, and just 3% serve jail. This leaves 97% of perpetrators walking free.
In Asia, countries like China, Japan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India also reported significant sexual violence cases. India, ranked 6th globally for being unsafe for women, recorded an average of 87 daily rape cases in 2019. In 2021, 31,677 rape cases were reported, with states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi showing the highest numbers. Government data from 2018 indicated that a woman reported a rape every 15 minutes. Despite these figures, many cases go unreported, echoing the deep-rooted challenges in addressing sexual violence globally.
Gisèle Pelicot Mass Rape Case
A horrifying, months-long mass rape and drugging trial concluded in France, with Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men all found guilty of the rape or sexual assault of his former wife, Gisèle Pelicot.
Dominique Pelicot, 72, who solicited dozens of strangers to rape Gisèle while she was unconscious, received the maximum sentence of 20 years for aggravated rape. Forty-eight other men on trial were found guilty of aggravated rape, with two guilty of sexual assault.
This case has shaken up France and has forced the country to evaluate their culture struggling with pervasive misogyny and systemic sexual assault.
Anna University Case
India, still staggering from the R.G. Kar rape case, faced another incident of administrative failure when a second-year engineering student at Anna University in Chennai was sexually assaulted on December 23, 2024. The victim, after attending a Christmas mass, was attacked by Gnanasekaran, a 37-year-old roadside biryani vendor, who first assaulted her male friend and then raped her. Gnanasekaran was detained on December 25, with authorities recovering over 50 explicit videos on his phone, including those involving young girls and transgender individuals.
The Madras High Court ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and directed ₹25 lakh compensation to the victim. The case sparked protests from students and faculty, criticizing the state government for security lapses on campus. Privacy concerns arose when an FIR with the survivor’s personal details was exposed, stimulating the National Commission for Women (NCW) to call for action against those responsible.
Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue, demanding immediate action at multiple levels. To address this, legal frameworks should be amplified to ensure speedy justice and harsher punishment for wrongdoers. Law enforcement agencies must be competent to deal with sexual violence cases with sensitivity and efficiency, assuring accountability for perpetrators regardless of their status. Security measures in public and private spheres, including educational institutions, must be strengthened with surveillance, better lighting, and trained personnel.
Public awareness campaigns on consent, gender equality, and respect for boundaries are important for changing societal attitudes. Victim support systems, including legal, medical, and psychological assistance, should be available to survivors. Confidentiality must be focused on, with strict penalties for infringements to protect victims’ privacy.
Lastly, international cooperation is essential to share resources and best practices for preventing and dealing with sexual violence globally. These combined endeavors help to reduce and ultimately get rid of sexual violence.
I would like to end this article with a quote from UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira: “Until we make it clear there are consequences for rape—real, dire consequences—we will never turn the tide of it.”
