World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/77/8
About World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence is observed on 18 November. The United Nations day focuses on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children, protecting rights and supporting the physical and mental health, dignity and healing of victims and survivors.
The observance requires especially careful language because it concerns children and trauma. Educational content should be survivor-centred, age-appropriate and designed to reduce harm rather than sensationalize abuse.
Why World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence matters
Prevention includes safer institutions, effective child-protection systems, education, reporting pathways, accountable digital and offline environments, and action on inequalities or emergencies that can increase vulnerability.
Healing can require health care, trauma-informed psychosocial support, legal assistance, family and community support, and long-term services that respect the choices, privacy and dignity of survivors.
History of World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
Nigeria and Sierra Leone submitted the draft resolution that led to establishment of the World Day, with many additional Member States joining as sponsors.
On 7 November 2022, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/77/8 and proclaimed 18 November of each year as the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.
The Secretary-General’s spokesperson identified 18 November 2022 as the first World Day.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone
The UN Digital Library identifies Nigeria and Sierra Leone as the authors of draft resolution A/77/L.8.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/77/8
First documented observance
The Secretary-General’s noon briefing on 18 November 2022 states that the date marked the first World Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse
How to Observe World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
Use child-protection and public-health sources rather than graphic case descriptions when educating about abuse.
Make reporting and support information appropriate to the user’s country or institution instead of assuming one universal process.
Do not encourage children or survivors to disclose identifying details publicly.
Pair prevention messaging with information about healing, rights, access to care and accountability.
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence Facts
The World Day is observed on 18 November.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone were the authors of draft A/77/L.8.
A/RES/77/8 was adopted on 7 November 2022.
The first World Day was marked on 18 November 2022.
The observance addresses both prevention and survivor healing.
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence Messages
Today, may World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence turn attention into informed action, empathy and support that lasts beyond a single day.
On World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, may awareness be matched by compassion, reliable information and practical support for people directly affected.
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence is a reminder to listen without stigma, share trustworthy information and treat every person with dignity.
May this day strengthen prevention, survivor-centered support, and access to justice for children affected by sexual exploitation and abuse.
Marking World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence with care means learning from credible sources and making space for the voices and experiences of people most affected.
World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence Quotes
“Together, with your support and commitment, we can end child sexual exploitation and violence. Together, we can heal.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
- Minors Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/77/L.8 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/77/8 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — World Day background (opens in a new tab)
UN Secretary-General noon briefing — first World Day, 18 November 2022 (opens in a new tab)
UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/8 (opens in a new tab)
Un Resolution
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence (opens in a new tab)
Un Observance
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence?
18 November The documented recurrence rule is: 18 November.
Does World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Is World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When was the World Day established?
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/8 on 7 November 2022.
Who proposed the establishing draft?
The UN Digital Library identifies Nigeria and Sierra Leone as the authors of draft resolution A/77/L.8, with many additional sponsors.
When was it first observed?
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson identified 18 November 2022 as the first World Day.
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