Sexual Violence Statistics

One in three female victims of completed or attempted rape experienced it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17.

About one in four male victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced it between the ages of 11 and 17.

Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.

Every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.
Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault.
Those age 65 and older are 92% less likely than 12-24 year olds to be a victim of rape or sexual assault, and 83% less likely than 25-49 year olds.
As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million American women had been victims of attempted or completed rape.
90% of adult rape victims are female.
As of 1998, 2.78 million men in the U.S. had been victims of attempted or completed rape.
About 3% of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
1 out of every 10 rape victims are male.

One in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault.
82% of all victims under 18 are female.
Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.
Women ages 18-24 who are college students are 3 times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence. Females of the same age who are not enrolled in college are 4 times more likely.
Out of the sexual abuse cases reported to CPS in 2013, 47,000 men and 5,000 women were the alleged perpetrators.
In 88% of the sexual abuse claims that CPS substantiates or finds supporting evidence of, the perpetrator is male. In 9% of cases they are female, and 3% are unknown.

94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks following the rape.

30% of women report symptoms of PTSD 9 months after the rape.
33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide.
13% of women who are raped attempt suicide.
Approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime.
Victims of sexual violence are more likely to use drugs than the general public (3.4 times more likely to use marijuana, 6 times more likely to use cocaine, 10 times more likely to use other major drugs).
38% of victims of sexual violence experience work or school problems, which can include significant problems with a boss, coworker, or peer.
37% experience family/friend problems, including getting into arguments more frequently than before, not feeling able to trust their family/friends, or not feeling as close to them as before the crime.
84% of survivors who were victimized by an intimate partner experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.
79% of survivors who were victimized by a family member, close friend or acquaintance experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.

67% of survivors who were victimized by a stranger experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.

Majority of children and teen victims know the perpetrator. Of sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of juvenile victims knew the perpetrator:
- 59% were acquaintances
- 34% were family members
- 7% were strangers to the victim
In 11% of rape and sexual assault incidents, the perpetrator used a weapon. (6% Gun, 4% Knife, 1% Other)
Personal weapons—such as hands, feet or teeth—are used against victims of sexual violence in about 2 out of 3 cases.
90% of rapes and sexual assaults are perpetrated by one offender. 10% are perpetrated by two or more.
Out of every 1,000 suspected rape perpetrators referred to prosecutors:
- 370 have at least one prior felony conviction, including 100 who have 5 or more
- 520 will be released—either because they posted bail or for other reasons—while awaiting trial
- 70 of the released perpetrators will be arrested for committing another crime before their case is decided

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