Wednesday, July 6, 2022
GFA.org
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
No Result
View All Result
Home Press Releases

Girls Exposed to ‘Shadow Pandemic’ of Sexual Abuse, GFA World Says

New report gives shocking insights into child marriage, online exploitation; marks Int'l Day of Girl Child, Oct. 11

October 5, 2021
inPress Releases
0

WILLS POINT, TX — COVID-19 has triggered a “shadow pandemic” of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation against girls, a shocking new report reveals on International Day of the Girl Child, Oct. 11.

More than ever, girls face multiple threats to their safety, including sexual predators online, sex trafficking, and forced child marriage, says the report Young Victims Remain Hidden in the Pandemic’s Shadow (http://www.gfa.org/press/girls) by mission organization Gospel for Asia (GFA World). International Day of the Girl Child is an annual awareness event.

In more than 130 countries — including the U.S. — it’s legal for girls to marry under the age of 18. In North Carolina and Alaska, a girl can marry at 14 if she’s pregnant. In North Carolina, a 57-year-old man applied to marry a 17-year-old girl, the report says.

Worldwide, COVID-19 is accelerating a “global crisis for girls,” with surging joblessness and poverty putting pressure on struggling parents to marry off their daughters in their mid-teens or younger, the report says.

Millions of Girls ‘Exposed to Exploitation’

Globally, national lockdowns have disrupted schooling for millions of girls, and left them exposed to exploitation and greater risk of getting pregnant.

Save the Children predicts a “dramatic surge in child marriage and adolescent pregnancy.” The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that complications in pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in girls and young women ages 15-19.

Governments around the world must do more, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) says, to protect girls from forced marriage so they can finish school and choose their own path in life when they become adults.

‘Protect Innocent Girls Now’

“If we fail to protect innocent girls now, we’ve failed an entire generation,” said Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Founder K.P. Yohannan (also known as Metropolitan Yohan).

The Dominican Republic — a Caribbean island nation — recently banned marriage under the age of 18, a move it’s hoped will protect girls there and could encourage other nations to follow.

In the U.S. and other countries, girls are increasingly victims of online sexual exploitation. A 14-year-old girl who sent a classmate a naked video of herself attempted suicide after it was posted on a porn website and viewed by other students. “Failing to stay safe online could entrap a girl in years of abuse,” the report says.

Lifeline for Girls at Risk

In developing nations, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) and other organizations sponsor thousands of girls at risk, enabling them to go to school, making sure they don’t go hungry, and mentoring them. Gospel for Asia (GFA World) says it helps girls “to show them God’s love.”

“It’s more vital than ever to provide girls with safe, nurturing environments and to bring justice and aid to those who’ve been abused,” says the report. “The pandemic will have years of consequences but, with God’s help, we can prevent it from destroying girls’ lives.”


International Day of the Girl Child Report - Covid 19 triggered a "shadow pandemic" of sexual abuse, violence and exploitation against girls,PHOTO CUTLINE: GIRLS FACE ‘SHADOW PANDEMIC’ OF SEXUAL ABUSE: COVID-19 has triggered a “shadow pandemic” of sexual abuse and exploitation against girls, a new report reveals on International Day of the Girl Child, Oct. 11. The report — Young Victims Remain Hidden in the Pandemic’s Shadow (http://www.gfa.org/press/girls) — by Gospel for Asia (GFA World)gives shocking insights into child marriage and online exploitation.

Media interested in interviews with GFA World should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or [email protected]


About GFA World

Gospel for Asia (GFA World)is a leading faith-based global mission agency, helping national missionaries bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across the world, especially in Asia and Africa, and sharing the love of God. In GFA World’s latest yearly report, this included thousands of community development projects that benefit downtrodden families and their children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and teaching providing hope and encouragement available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. GFA World has launched programs in Africa, starting with compassion projects in Rwanda. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news/.


Read more news on Human Trafficking, Social Injustice and the COVID 19 Pandemic on the GFA World: Digital Media News Room.
Tags: Child MarriageChild Sex TraffickingChristian NewsChristian World NewsCurrent Human Rights IssuesDefine Social InjusticeDr KP YohannanExamples of Social InjusticeGospel for Asia NewsHighlightHuman RightsHuman TraffickingK.P. YohannanKP YohannanKP Yohannan QuotesLatest Update on KP YohannanOnline ExploitationPastor KP YohannanSocial InjusticeSocial Injustice ExamplesWorld Christian News
ShareTweet
Previous Post

A Young Girl’s Journey from Poverty to Hope

Next Post

GFA Pastors Provide Toilets for Village

Related Posts

GFA World is serving the community as a voting station for the provincial elections in their Stoney Creek office building
Press Releases

GFA World Is Serving the Community as a Voting Station

July 4, 2022
Set Apart 2022 – a weeklong retreat by GFA World, aims to help those ages 18-30 discover that "following Jesus is the greatest adventure."
Press Releases

GFA World Invites Young Generation to Join ‘Greatest Adventure’

June 7, 2022
'Stressed' generation will 'experience Christ' at Set Apart 2022, say Francis Chan, K.P. Yohannan, George Verwer
Press Releases

Event Invites Gen Z, Millennials to ‘Give Up Gadgets, Rediscover God’

May 4, 2022
Mosquito-borne malaria is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths worldwide annually, says GFA World report Malaria, It's Time to Buzz Off!
Press Releases

‘Time for Malaria to Buzz Off’ Says New GFA World Report

April 20, 2022
On St. Patrick’s Day, GFA World (Stoney Creek, Ontario) staff members, had the opportunity to empathize with those who live in the slums
Press Releases

GFA World Serves Stoney Creek Community by Cleaning up Garbage

April 20, 2022
Engaging the Vanishing Generation: GFA World Set Apart 2022 event, June 20-26, aims to help young adults bring faith in God back into focus
Press Releases

GFA World Aims to Help ‘Vanishing Generation’ Rediscover God

March 21, 2022
Next Post
It was made clear there were no suitable sanitation facilities, no toilets in the village - The two GFA missionaries then resolved on a plan.

GFA Pastors Provide Toilets for Village

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

John Haggai wanted me to go to my room and write down the single most important thing I was going to do with the rest of my life.
In the News

What Is ‘The One Thing’ God Wants From You?

July 6, 2022
Discussing a widow, her sickness and pain, and God's work through the prayer of a GFA World pastor that brought healing and transformation.
Field Reports

Prayer Transforms Widow from Invalid to Hostess

July 6, 2022
KP Yohannan reflects on God's interweaving of the missionary zeal & sacrifice of Doubting Thomas with his life and of GFA World
In the News

How ‘Doubting Thomas’ Became My Missionary Hero

July 6, 2022
GFA World is serving the community as a voting station for the provincial elections in their Stoney Creek office building
Press Releases

GFA World Is Serving the Community as a Voting Station

July 4, 2022

Press Contact

  • Name: Press Relations
  • Phone: 972-300-3379
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://www.gfa.org

Social Connect

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-972-300-7777
Website: https://www.gfa.org

Connect on Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

News Categories

  • Article
  • Featured Stories
  • Field Reports
  • GFA World Magazine
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases

News Archive

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

John Haggai wanted me to go to my room and write down the single most important thing I was going to do with the rest of my life.

What Is ‘The One Thing’ God Wants From You?

July 6, 2022
Discussing a widow, her sickness and pain, and God's work through the prayer of a GFA World pastor that brought healing and transformation.

Prayer Transforms Widow from Invalid to Hostess

July 6, 2022
KP Yohannan reflects on God's interweaving of the missionary zeal & sacrifice of Doubting Thomas with his life and of GFA World

How ‘Doubting Thomas’ Became My Missionary Hero

July 6, 2022
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
  • Media Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

Go to mobile version