Sexual assault is a major issue in the world that is not talked about enough.
Global estimates suggest that around 316 million people experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner within a single 12-month period. This represents about 3.9% of the global population, but this figure only includes one form of violence and is measured against the entire world population, including men, women, and children. Because of this, the real impact can feel much larger than the percentage suggests.
In addition, around 263 million women and girls worldwide have experienced non-partner sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, which is roughly 3.3% of the global population. This number does not include men and boys who are also affected, and it does not reflect the many cases that go unreported, meaning the true scale is likely much higher.
Although these percentages may seem small on paper, they represent hundreds of millions of real people whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence.
It is also important to understand that sexual violence can affect anyone. Both men and women can be victims, and many experiences go unspoken due to stigma, fear, or silence.
This book was written to raise awareness about sexual assault, explore its emotional and psychological effects, and help survivors feel seen, heard, and understood. Most importantly, it is here to remind readers that they are not alone, and that healing is possible.
