LONDON, 21 February 2025 – Plans have been announced for the next Out of the Shadows Index (OOSI), the global benchmark which ranks countries on how they prevent and respond to child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).
Under the new ‘action leadership’ of Together for Girls (TfG), the global partnership working to end violence against children, an updated and recalibrated OOSI is being developed.
TfG is partnering with Economist Impact, who researched and developed the current Index, to create what will be its third iteration. It will cover 60 countries, including all G20 countries, making-up approximately 85% of the world’s child population.
In the current Index, which was updated in 2022, the UK, France and Sweden received the highest overall scores. South Africa is the only country that ranks in the top 10 across all five prevention and response categories measured by the indexes. Overall, the US ranks 13th, India 16th and China 30th.
The third iteration of the Index, based on a newly updated methodology, is due to be published in early 2026.
TfG is taking-on the ‘action leadership’ role for OOSI from Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence Against Girls and Boys, which has incubated the Index since 2019 and provided guidance and thought-partnership during the design phase for the next iteration.
Dr Daniela Ligiero, President and CEO of Together for Girls said: “We are delighted and honored to be assuming this action leadership role for the Out Of the Shadows Index and partnering with Economist Impact.
National governments have the power to act on ending CSEA. Many made fresh pledges at last year’s first ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. So it’s never been more important to hold them to account. OOSI is the only global benchmark which allows everyone to see how well their country is progressing in efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children.
As planned, Ignite Philanthropy has now completed its incubation phase and the complete transfer of the ‘action leadership’ role to TfG, and will continue to share its learnings and guidance as TfG permanently assumes this role.
The threats to children never stand still. We know there is an ongoing explosion in online violence against children, and increasing levels of humanitarian crisis affect children disproportionately.
Together for Girls is committed to working closely with Civil Society Organisations, survivors, and the entire sector committed to ending violence against children in the development, publication and dissemination of this updated Index.”
Don Cipriani, Ignite Philanthropy's Director said: “We are thrilled to formally conclude the Index’s incubation phase and to now transfer the action leadership role to TfG, who will unleash the full potential of the Index as a global benchmark guiding us all towards the end of CSEA forever.”
Notes to Editors:
The Out of the Shadow Index examines how stakeholders are preventing and responding to child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) in 60 countries. The Index was originally incubated by World Childhood Foundation USA (Childhood USA), under the leadership of Joanna Rubinstein, and developed by Economist Impact. It has been incubated by Ignite Philanthropy since 2019, when the first iteration of the Index was released. An updated Index was published in 2022.
Together for Girls is a global partnership working to end violence against children and adolescents, with special attention to sexual violence. Through data and advocacy, our global partnership drives action to break cycles of violence and ensure prevention, healing and justice.
Economist Impact partners with corporations, foundations, NGOs and governments across big themes, including sustainability, health and the changing shape of globalisation to catalyse change and enable progress. It combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage an influential global audience.
Ignite Philanthropy: Inspiring the End to Violence Against Girls and Boys is a philanthropic fund that supports bold efforts to ensure every child lives a life free from violence.
For more information, contact Marek Pruszewicz at [email protected].