It is estimated that 150,000,000 girls and 73,000,000 boys have suffered from rape or other forms of sexual violence worldwide.

Plan, along with a number of partners are set to propose a number of measures that seek to improve prevention, identification and punishment of sexual violence.

To offer greater protection to children they are seeking the HRC to prohibit all forms of sexual violence against children and for authorities to provide stronger protection and more child-friendly reporting practices.

They have been lobbying for increased investment in national resources that could provide help to vulnerable children. They believe more needs to be done to raise awareness of the issue, and want to see an improvement in the support network for victims.

The proposed investment will be focussed upon improving education, preventative health care and social care.

As well as providing more means of direct support for children, Plan wants to see more done by those in positions of responsibility to help prevent sexual crimes taking place and speedier and more effective reporting when it does.

Better accountability and awareness among teachers, social workers, police, lawyers and judiciary would go a long way towards reducing the worrying levels of violence towards children.

Plan’s representative in Geneva Anne-Sophie Lois said: “Now, it is time for action. Governments must take responsibility to prevent and respond to these appalling violations of children’s rights. What we need is better protection and enforcement if we are to stop failing these children”

Sexual violence leads to higher levels of HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, physical and psychological trauma of victims. Studies have shown that threats of sexual violence can keep many children – particularly girls – out of school and increases drop-out rates.

Abigail Sogah, 17, is a member of a Plan-supported youth group in Ghana, said in an address to the HRC that awareness-raising activities with her community and the police have reduced attacks.

“Our youth group in Ghana is trying its best to combat violence against girls. Sexual abuse of girls at school and in the community is a real problem where I live and we girls are scared to become victims.”

“We would like all governments to intensify law enforcement and to make sure that perpetrators are severely punished. Sensitisation of the public should also continue. Girls are exposed to sexual abuse because of how boys and men – and we and our mothers – think about us.”

SUPPORT PLAN UK TODAY