Sexual Violence: Not just a Woman’s issue 

Sexual violence impacts millions of people around the world every day. It can take the form of rape, sexual abuse, molestation, or domestic violence, to name a few. Yet, despite its pervasive nature—what could rightly be called a global epidemic—it is too often dismissed as a “women’s issue.” It’s a topic whispered about behind closed doors or shouted about in rallies, but in most cases, the burden of addressing it, and far too often the blame, falls on women and survivors.

The truth is, sexual violence and its devastating consequences affect us all. It leaves lasting scars in our communities, batters survivors, and exposes the failures of our legal systems. Sexual violence is not “theirs,” “his,” or “hers” to address. It is ours. And collectively we need to take action to eliminate it. 

Speak up about sexual violence  

Sexual violence includes any non-consensual act or behavior of a sexual nature. At its core, sex without consent is rape, a crime that crosses borders, cultures, and socioeconomic divides. According to research, nearly 29 percent of all women globally have experienced sexual violence—a grievous statistic that highlights the scale of this global crisis.

While anyone can be a victim, structural misogyny and systemic inequalities mean that women and girls are disproportionately affected. The imbalance is stark: most perpetrators are men, while most victims are women and girls. This gender disparity reveals that sexual violence is not only an individual crime but also a form of gender-based violence rooted in sexism.

But it’s not enough to state the facts. We know that sexual violence is happening often. We know women and girls have their human rights violated every day. In populous nations like the United States, those violations happen every 68 seconds, and in Nepal, it’s 124 times a day. No matter where women are, they are under threat. So why is this pain so often met with silence? Why is this still just a “woman’s issue”? 

Why is sexual violence still an issue?

Despite years of activism, the fight against sexual violence is far from over. One major obstacle is the persistent disbelief of survivors. Women who report rape often face skepticism, victim-blaming, and public vilification. This toxic culture discourages many from coming forward and silences those who do. 

Though recent movements have challenged how some address sexual violence culture, perpetrators are still granted impunity, and powerful men with track records of harming women still rise to powerful positions. While for many, silence continues to cloak an act whose blame still falls on the survivor.

That silence is not passive. It lingers in courtrooms that fail to convict, in schools that don’t teach consent, and in friends who don’t know how to help. Silence is its own kind of violence, complicit and cold.

Outdated rape laws and harmful stereotypes further compound the problem. In many jurisdictions, legal definitions of rape fail to account for coercion, power imbalances, and the lived realities of survivors. And misogyny remains embedded in judicial systems and those meant to uphold them, often leading to re-traumatization for survivors seeking justice.

Who is responsible for ending sexual violence

Ending sexual violence requires a societal shift and accountability. Although survivors and women’s rights organizations have been at the forefront of advocacy, they cannot bear this burden alone. According to UN Women, 73.1% of all national parliament positions in the world are held by men, and only 19 of the 195 counties in the world are run by women, which means that decision-makers, the majority of whom are men, must recognize their responsibility to create and enforce laws that protect survivors, most of whom are women, and hold perpetrators, most of whom are men, accountable.

Understanding consent is central to this effort. Justice actors—including judges, prosecutors, police, and medical professionals—must be trained to conduct comprehensive, gender-sensitive investigations that consider all circumstances surrounding an allegation. Ensuring that consent is given willingly and free from coercion is essential to achieving justice in rape cases – which is why Equality Now works with partners, governments, and experts to create legal manuals and guidelines to help improve the path to justice for survivors of sexual violence. 

But changing laws will only solve a fraction of the problem, mindset plays a vital role in preventing sexual violence and it’s our collective responsibility to acknowledge how our thoughts and behaviors can affect others. Harmful norms around masculinity fuel sexual violence. Phrases like “boys will be boys” normalize aggressive behaviors, while societal pressures discourage men from expressing vulnerability or seeking help.

What can you do to end sexual violence? 

Sexual violence is not a woman’s issue. It’s a basic human rights issue and everyone should be engaged. Here are a few things you can do to help: 

• Support and Advocate for Survivors: Believe survivors and amplify their voices. Challenge victim-blaming narratives wherever they appear.
• Push for Good Laws and Effective Implementation: Advocate for clear, survivor-centered consent-based definitions of rape and hold leaders accountable for implementing and enforcing these laws.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Awareness is the first step toward action. Learn about the systemic roots of sexual violence and educate others to challenge harmful stereotypes and behaviors.
• Collaborate Across Sectors: Tackling sexual violence requires partnerships among governments, civil society organizations, and communities. Everyone—from policymakers to educators—has a role to play.

Together we will end sexual violence

Imagine a world where no one whispers about violence but instead speaks out against it with courage. Where survivors find compassion, not doubt. Where children grow up learning that respect is stronger than power.

This world is not an impossible dream. It is within reach, but only if we stop calling sexual violence “their problem” and start recognizing it as ours. We must write a new story—one of shared responsibility, collective healing, and enduring hope.

Join Equality Now as we continue to work with local groups around the world to share information on international legal standards, including consent-based definitions of rape so that they can make recommendations in their local context in order for survivors of sexual violence to better access the law and justice.