United States earns “D” grade of 67.2/100 in evaluation of policies to end sexual violence against children and adolescents

The 2026 Out of the Shadows Index ranks 60 countries on laws, policies to address childhood sexual violence

• The 2026 Out of the Shadows Index ranks 60 countries, across six regions – together home to 83% of the world’s children – on national action to address sexual violence against children and adolescents.
• With a score of 67.2/100, the United States earned a grade equivalent of “D” and is 8th out of 14 high-income nations
• The U.S. is home to approximately 74.1 million children and adolescents, representing 91% of the total population under the age of 18 in the Americas and the Caribbean
• The U.S. lacks a minimum age for marriage
• Advocates call for the U.S. to establish a National Plan of Action and government-supported National Survivors Council to end childhood sexual violence

GENEVA, May 18, 2026 — The United States ranks 3rd in the Americas and Caribbean region with an overall score of 67.2 out of 100 in the 2026 Out of the Shadows Index, a new global benchmark assessing countries based on the minimum laws, policies, and services necessary to address sexual violence against children and adolescents. The Index, researched and developed by Economist Impact with advocacy led by Together for Girls, assesses 60 countries representing 83% of the world’s children across 4 pillars: Governance and Accountability (coordinated national action); Prevention (child protection); Healing (high-quality care); and Justice (strong legal systems). The Index does not measure prevalence of such violence.

“The United States has earned a failing grade when it comes to protecting children and teenagers from sexual violence, and that just isn’t good enough for our children. The Out of the Shadows Index assesses countries on the minimum needed for prevention, healing and justice. The U.S.’ score of 67.2/100 – the equivalent of a D – is both concerning and unacceptable as it reflects significant gaps in the laws, policies, and systems that should be in place to protect children,” said Daniela Ligiero, CEO and President of Together for Girls. “The U.S. government must use the Out of the Shadows Index as a roadmap for action to end sexual violence. Only when action is being taken consistently across all indicators will children be safe.” 

The United States’ ranking on the four pillars is as follows:

• Governance and Accountability: 51.3/100
• Prevention: 70/100
• Healing: 65/100
• Justice: 73.5/100

“Behind every data point in this Index is a child whose life has been shaped by violence,” said Elly Vaughan, who led the research at Economist Impact. “Across all 60 countries we evaluated, our research reveals critical gaps in child protection systems. The picture that emerges is troubling: no country is doing enough to protect children and teenagers from sexual violence.” 

Together for Girls, the advocacy lead for the Out of the Shadows Index, identified recommendations for the United States government to improve its systems, including:

• Establish a government-supported National Survivors Council.
• Update the National Action Plan to end childhood sexual violence to include a detailed implementation framework with responsible actors, costings and timelines.
• Ratify protective international legal instruments, namely the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Increase overall budget transparency on activities designed to address childhood sexual violence.
• Enact protective legislation to criminalize intrafamilial sexual abuse and abuse by people in positions of authority in all roles and settings.
• Make cross-border law enforcement possible through laws allowing extradition and extraterritoriality. 
• Train physicians to recognize the signs and learn how to respond to sexual violence against children and adolescents.
  
   

PRESS CONTACTS

For questions about the research, contact: media@economist.com

For questions about how to use the Index to drive advocacy and engagement efforts, contact: Christy Delafield christy@togetherforgirls.org 

Notes to editors:

Support and resources: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, support is available. Find resources by country.

About the Out of the Shadows Index: The Out of the Shadows Index is the global benchmark of national governments' efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children and adolescents. The Index is researched and developed by Economist Impact, with advocacy and engagement efforts led by Together for Girls.

It ranks 60 countries across 6 regions, which together are home to 83% of the world’s children. The Index scores countries across 23 indicators, covering laws, policies, programs, and services that a government should have in place to end sexual violence against children and adolescents in their country.

First launched in 2019 and updated in 2022, the 2026 edition marks its third iteration, and the 4th will be launched in 2027.