Sexual violence is a human rights and public health concern that transcends boundaries and incurs global human cost. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the World Report on Violence and Health. The report examines global youth violence, child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, elderly abuse, sexual violence, self-directed violence, and collective violence. The intent is to promote a better understanding of global sexual violence, encourage new research, and promote collaborative efforts to prevent sexual violence. The WHO report shows that sexual violence is preventable and social change is possible. Yet, it requires the commitment and collaboration of advocates, policymakers, researchers, medical personnel, educators, police officers, prosecutors and others. In the prevention of sexual violence, there is a need for advances in research and the development and implementation of consistent definitions and methods and the sharing of analyses. References