Women's rights groups confronted by a global problem

Sexual misconduct occurs on all continents. While data is not always readily or comprehensively available for some countries, most women's rights organizations agree the problem is universal.

In addition, reporting varies in different parts of the world. In patriarchal societies, women feel less empowered to reveal misconduct, according to social workers.

Women feel harassed in public areas and often change routes or dress conservatively in some countries to avoid harassment, according to Action-Aid, a South African nonprofit organization.