Rep. Wild Advances Resolution to End Sexual Violence Against Girls
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) commended the advancement of H.Res.723, her bipartisan resolution to End Sexual Violence Against Girls, through the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Introduced by Wild on World Children’s Day, the resolution encourages countries to pursue data-driven reforms emphasizes the importance of keeping girls safe.
“Sexual violence against girls spares no culture, country, race, religion, or ethnicity,” Wild said. “Victims of sexual violence: we see your struggle, hear your cries for help, and stand in solidarity with you all. Living free of violence is a basic human right. Through this resolution, we can help establish integrated systems that protect girls and create survivor advocacy centers that make mental health services more accessible worldwide.”
“Every girl deserves a life free from violence, and we know that when women and girls are educated, healthy, and safe, their communities and the world are more secure and prosperous,” said Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21), an original cosponsor of the resolution and leader on women and children’s issues.
“I am proud to support the bipartisan resolution to End Sexual Violence Against Girls,” said Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (WI-05). “Young girls all over the world deserve to grow up in safe and secure surroundings. Keeping girls safe provides a path to refined education, healthy childhood development, and prosperous lives.”
Globally, 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls who are under the age of 16. Lifelong consequences of these assaults include decreased years in school, early high-risk pregnancies, increased risk of HIV/AIDS, and intergenerational poverty. This resolution encourages all nations to end sexual violence against girls through in-country-data-driven reforms as demonstrated by multiple African nations. Proven data-gathering household surveys referred to as Violence Against Children Surveys (VACS) have already been used in 22 nations, including 14 African nations. Data from over 60,000 individuals revealed:
- 1 in 4 girls experiences sexual violence before the age of 18 years.
- 1 in 3 girls who experienced sexual violence became pregnant before 18 years of age.
- 1 of 2 girls who experienced sexual violence told anyone.
- Most girls who experienced sexual violence knew the perpetrators.
- Sexual violence against girls was associated with a 370% increase in HIV infection.
INSPIRE, a WHO developed technical package, guides data-driven reforms for each participating nation. This resolution encourages the use of the proven tools VACS and INSPIRE internationally and domestically to end sexual violence against girls.
This resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Scott Perry (PA-10), Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (WI-05), Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-7), Chris Pappas (NH-1), Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), William R. Keating (MA-9), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), David J. Trone (MD-6), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Jim Costa (CA-16), Joe Neguse (CO-2), Karen Bass (CA-37), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Tim Burchett (TN-2), Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), Kim Schrier (WA-8), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Andy Levin (MI-9), Jahana Hayes (CT-5), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-3), James P. McGovern (MA-2), Grace Meng (NY-6), Ann M. Kuster (NH-2), and Brad Sherman (CA-30).
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