The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) are led by national governments, with technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of the Together for Girls (TfG) partnership. The surveys measure the prevalence, past 12-month incidence, and circumstances surrounding violence in childhood and young adulthood (before age 24).
The VACS measure multiple forms of violence: sexual, physical, and emotional. The surveys also provide important data on risk factors, protective factors, and consequences of violence.
VACS results are published in national reports, used in the development of national action plans, and guide effective programs and policies. Learn more about the VACS below, and access all of the publically available reports here.