Gender violence causes as much of a burden of ill health and death among women aged 15 to 44 as cancer, and more than malaria and traffic accidents combined. This report reveals that such violence also occurs in the very places where girls and young women should be safe - in schools, universities and higher education institutes. The report cites extensive case studies from around the world to show that girls and young women are subjected to a wide range of violent and aggressive behaviours, from verbal abuse and being groped in the cafeteria queue, to rape. Harassment and violence often involves peers, but teachers and other staff are also perpetrators. While young men and boys are sometimes the victims, more often they are girls and young women. ? Gender violence in schools and universities and the policy vacuum surrounding the issue must be addressed. First, because it violates girls' and women's human rights and has been condemned by international and regional human rights treaties and national legislation. Second, because sexual violence and harassment damages girls' and women's physical and psychological health and makes it more difficult for them to deal in a positive way with their sexuality. It makes it harder to achieve internationally agreed public health goals of reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections - including HIV. Third, because female education is a major driver of social and economic development. Evidence shows that sexual violence and harassment denies girls and young women equal opportunities for educational advancement and undermines institutional performance. The report is available at: http://www.panos.org.uk/resources/reportdetails.asp?id=1060 Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=3493&flag=report