VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

We won’t stop until every woman and child is protected from violence

The problem

Violence Against Women and Children

Violence affects millions of women and children around the world. Those living in poverty are some of the most vulnerable to a range of everyday forms of violence—including sexual violence and domestic violence. When a man assaults his wife or partner, it’s seen as a “family matter” handled inside the home instead of reported to authorities. Sexual violence against children is frequent, and courts are ill-equipped to handle these cases and can’t respond when these women and children desperately need protection.

Nearly 1 in 5 girls is sexually abused at least once in her life.

Nearly 736 million women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.

Worldwide, up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16 years old.

Forms of Violence Against Women and Children

Sexual Violence

Women and children experience crimes like rape, sexual assault, molestation and other forms of sexual abuse.

Learn more

Domestic Violence

Women are particularly vulnerable to violent abuse by their spouses or partners.

Learn more

Our solution

Our Community Protection Model

We help restore survivors of violence, build justice system capacity to identify and restrain offenders, and assist local authorities' efforts to prosecute and hold them accountable.

Our goal is to prevent violence from happening in the first place. That’s why IJM and our partners pursue sustainable improvements in local justice systems and build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected.

Our Global Impact

12,800+

Victims relieved from sexual and domestic violence

2,500+

Women and children restored to safety and strength through IJM’s aftercare program and partners since 2013

3,300+

Widows and orphans returned to their homes since 2004

Where we and our partners work to protect women and children from violence

SECURING JUSTICE IN GUATEMALA

In Central America, violence against women and children is the most common form of violence

When violence is completely normalized, it's easy to believe that change is impossible. But losing hope would be the worst mistake. IJM's work in Guatemala has shown that by increasing the chance of a perpetrator being convicted and reducing the backlog of cases, women and children can be successfully protected. The next step is to scale this solution to the whole country.