Assessing the Nexus Between Climate Change and Child Sexual Abuse: Analysis of SDG 2030 Commitments Towards Eliminating Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a catalyst for various social issues disproportionately affecting children through displacement, poverty, scarcity of resources and breakdown of protective structures. Poverty and social fragmentation erode familial and community safeguards, thereby increasing the risk of children to sexual assault, abuse and exploitation. This research paper investigates the climate induced disruptions and child sexual abuse (CSA), with a particular focus on how environmental crisis intensifies gendered risk and undermines child protective mechanisms. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the paper analyses conventions, policies, existing legal framework, Reports and case studies. The study examines the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 with special emphasis on SDG 5(Gender equality), SDG 13 (Climate action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), to assess how these global commitments address child sexual abuse in climate induced vulnerabilities. The findings reveal how climate crisis exacerbate existing gender-inequalities and creates new vulnerabilities towards children where violence against children increases in climate affected regions. Despite a decade since the adoption of 2030 SDG Agenda, its commitments towards equity and resilience, remains insufficiently integrated into climate adaptation and disaster response strategies with regard to protection of children from sexual abuses. The study highlights the linkage between CSA and climate crisis and how SDG 5,13 and 16 can together refocus global efforts on eliminating all forms of violence against children.