The United Nations declares November 18 “World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence”
Statement by Brisa de Angulo, a member of SAGE, the Brave Movement’s survivor board, lawyer, child psychologist, human right activist and human rights defender. Brisa is also the founder and CEO of A Breeze of Hope Foundation in Bolivia.
“As a survivor of child sexual violence, this is a very important day for me. For many years, survivors have walked silently with the shame and the blame for what happened to us. To have a day that recognizes that what happened to you is wrong and that we’re finally going to start doing something about it, start talking about it, and not hide it — is extremely important.
I come here in the name of the Brave Movement, a network of global survivors looking to make changes; and A Breeze of Hope Foundation where we work on prevention, healing, and justice.
The creation of this international day is a groundbreaking milestone in increasing global awareness of the horrific prevalence of sexual violence against children and mobilizing action to prevent violence and support healing and justice for survivors.
Today, the United Nations has established 18 November, as an official World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence.
The data is staggering: Around 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 9 boys across the globe experience sexual violence before their eighteenth birthday. However, we know that violence is preventable, and change is possible. Decades of research shows there are proven, effective solutions that can keep sexual violence from occurring and policies and programs that make sure survivors can access healing and justice. The establishment of a global day increases understanding and recognition of the devastating issue of sexual violence and will mobilize action to create transformational change. Together, we can — and must — create a safer world for future generations.
Together for Girls and the Brave Movement to End Childhood Sexual Violence recognize the leadership of the Government of the Sierra Leone and the Government of Nigeria in facilitating the resolution to establish the official United Nations observance.
We celebrate the vision of The Global Collaborative for the Protection of Healing and Child Dignity, and the members of the Collaborative who came together to help create a world day.
This year, Together for Girls and the Brave Movement will mobilize on November 18 with survivors, partners and allies mobilizing around the world to demand global leaders enact policies to prevent childhood sexual violence and support survivors. Learn more and get involved here.
For too many years we have been suffering in silence, and today is such an important day to know that we’re no longer alone.”
Please contact [email protected] for interviews with Brisa and other members of the Brave Movement. To find out more about the Brave Movement, please visit our website and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. To learn more about Together for Girls, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.