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12/10/2004:

"Agency calls for global halt to violence against girls"

Sexual assaults, verbal abuse and intimidation by male teachers and pupils are deterring thousands of girls from attending schools across the world, according to research published by the international development agency ActionAid.
Violence or the fear of violence have become "serious barriers" to girls' education in poorer countries around the world, a problem that has been largely ignored by the international community, but one that could prove an obstacle to meeting internationally agreed education targets, said the organisation.

ActionAid is calling on governments to do more to outlaw violence against girls, which in some countries is seen as an acceptable practice.
Full Article: guardian.co.uk

So violence against girls and women is only widely practiced and seen as 'acceptable' in 'poorer countries'? And laws are the answer?