Research
Research Studies and Statistics
Understanding the data behind child sexual abuse helps us act with purpose. These research findings reveal the lifelong impact abuse can have and highlight why early prevention, protection, and education are so important.
Facts matter. Knowledge leads to change.
The more we understand, the better equipped we are to protect children and support survivors.
AI becoming ‘child sexual abuse machine’ adding to ‘dangerous’ record levels of online abuse, IWF warns
IWF’s latest data shows that AI is rapidly becoming a “child sexual abuse machine” is deeply troubling and reminds us that emerging technologies are being weaponised in profoundly harmful ways if safety and ethics aren’t built in from day one. Last year, the IWF documented a dramatic surge in photo realistic AI-generated child sexual abuse videos, a more than 26,000% year on year increase, contributing to record levels of online child sexual abuse material globally. Read here
Facts about sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is a silent epidemic in New Zealand, with 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys being sexually abused before the age of 18. Read here
Funding in Aotearoa – what does the data tell us?
Government funding currently allocates only a small fraction to charities like ours, despite the critical frontline work we do in our prevention of, and supporting survivors of sexual abuse. This limited investment sends a powerful message about where survivors sit on the priority list, and it leaves essential services like ours, struggling to keep pace with the need. Our charity, Handing the Shame Back Foundation, fills the gaps that government funding simply doesn’t cover; providing resources, advocacy, and life changing support every single day. To continue this work, we rely on the generosity of those who believe survivors deserve better. Read here
Prevalence of sexual violence against children and age at first exposure: a global analysis by location, age, and sex (1990–2023)
This study has revealed that around 50% of survivors of sexual violence first experienced it before the age of 16. This is one of the most comprehensive global studies ever undertaken, covering every country worldwide and exposing the devastating reality of early sexual abuse. These confronting findings are a clear call to action: every conversation, training, and intervention matters. Educating children and safe adults with body safety knowledge, along with tools like the Global Hand Sign, is crucial for prevention and protection. Read here
Childhood sexual abuse and pervasive problems across multiple life domains: Findings from a five-decade study
This Dunedin study showed that CSA survivors were more likely than their peers to experience internalising, externalising, and thought disorders, suicide attempts, health risk behaviours, systemic inflammation, poor oral health, sexually transmitted diseases, high-conflict relationships, benefit use, financial difficulties, antisocial behaviour, and cumulative problems across multiple domains in adulthood. Read here
Learning about situational crime prevention from offenders: using a script framework to compare the commission of completed and disrupted sexual offenses
An Australian study found that 86% of child abusers chose not to abuse a child, when they showed resistance through words or actions. This proves that teaching children how to recognise unsafe situations, and how to respond, can make a real difference. Educating children on body safety rules and tools like the Global Hand Sign is so important. When children are empowered to speak up, and say NO, they’re less likely to be targeted, and more likely to be kept safe. Read here