The children's agency Unicef also says 95,000 children and teenagers - most of them in Latin America and the Caribbean - were murdered in 2012 alone.

It notes that children around the globe are routinely exposed to violence, including bullying.

The document draws on data from 190 countries.

'Lifelong repercussions'

The violence "cuts across boundaries of age, geography, religion, ethnicity and income brackets,'' Unicef executive director Anthony Lake said.

Homicide is the leading cause of death among young males in many Latin American countries, the UN says

Violence against children

• 120m girls - one in 10 - are raped or sexually attacked by age of 20
• Boys also report experiences of sexual violence, but to a lesser extent than girls
• The most common form of sexual violence for both genders is cyber-victimisation
• 95,000 children and teenagers were murdered in 2012
• Slightly over one in three students aged 13-15 experience regular bullying in school
• Six out of 10 children aged between two and 14 are physically punished by carers

Source: Unicef report

"It occurs in places where children should be safe, their homes, schools and communities.

"Increasingly, it happens over the internet, and it's perpetrated by family members and teachers, neighbours and strangers and other children.''