World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
Aug 1, 2026·1 views
A UN day dedicated to protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse, and supporting prevention programs and psychological recovery for survivors.
Date18 November
TopicFamily & Childhood
Ways to observe this day
Learn abuse warning signs to discuss with your children in an age-appropriate way
Review privacy settings on your children's digital devices
Share a trusted helpline number for reporting exploitation
Support an organization protecting children and rehabilitating survivors
The UN General Assembly designated November 18 to be observed annually, extending globally the "European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse," launched by the Council of Europe on the same date since 2015. The global expansion followed the European initiative's success in raising awareness and supporting survivors.
The day addresses a sensitive and widespread issue: international estimates suggest millions of children worldwide experience some form of sexual exploitation or abuse annually, whether within families, institutions, or online. It emphasizes tackling the issue on three fronts: prevention through awareness and legislation, protecting at-risk children, and supporting survivors' psychological and social recovery.
Child rights organizations mark the day with awareness campaigns for parents and teachers on recognizing abuse warning signs and reporting procedures, alongside calls for stricter oversight of digital content aimed at children and stronger helplines for reporting exploitation.