One in four teenage girls in relationships around the world will experience sexual or physical violence from their partners by the time they’re 20, according to WHO.

A new report from the organisation is warning that around 24% of girls under the age of 20 in a relationship have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an "intimate partner".

Roughly one in six (16%) of those experienced violence in the last year.

On Breakfast Briefing this morning, lead author Dr Lynnmarie Sardinha said it’s important to remember that behind the statistics, there are millions of young girls suffering across the world.

“Every time we talk about a percentage close to a quarter around the world have faced this violence from someone they trust – it's actually 19 million young girls subjected to violence,” she said.

According to Women's Aid, one in five Irish women in relationships will experience sexual or physical violence by the time they are 25.

Some 51% of those women will experience that violence before they're 18.

'Devastating impacts'

Dr Sardinha said it is “concerning” how early violence against women starts – particularly because of the “devastating impacts” it has on young girls. 

“In the immediate short term, we're talking about injuries and unplanned pregnancies,” she said. 

“But it also has really long-term mental health impacts - it has impacts on their future relationships and how they view these relationships. 

“In terms of educational achievement, they often drop out of school or university. 

“[This] in turn creates the cycle where they're not able to pursue higher education or employment opportunities, which makes them vulnerable in future relationships.” 

Violence in lower-income countries

Dr Sardinha noted violence against women by their partners is worse in “lower-income countries”. 

The highest rate was in Oceania - including Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia – where 47% of women in relationships experience sexual or physical violence before they’re 20. 

Some 40% of teenage girls in relationships in central sub-Saharan Africa experience intimate partner violence, compared to 10% in central Europe. 

“When you say lower-income countries, these are also often countries affected by conflict,” Dr Sardinha said. 

“When you look at Papua New Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, these tend to have higher rates of violence against women and girls. 

Woman looking out of window on rainy day. Image: Islandstock / Alamy Stock Photo

“Countries where the prevalence of child marriage is higher simply because there are spousal age differences that often create power imbalances, economic dependency, social isolation. 

“But I think it's also important to acknowledge that it is prevalent all across the world - in Western Europe, it is 18% [and] 20% in the UK.” 

The WHO study urged countries to strengthen support services and early prevention measures for teenage girls to lower figures of domestic violence. 

It recommended primary school programmes for young girls and boys that highlight healthy relationships, stronger legal protection for those who experience violence and increased economic empowerment for women. 

If you have been impacted by the issues discussed in this article, you can contact these helplines:

Childline (Available 24 hours) - 1800 666 666 or Live Chat

Women’s Aid (Available 24 hours) - 1800 341 900 

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (Available 24 hours) - 1800 778 888 or Live Chat (Open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday)