More than 60% of bisexual women experience sexual violence in their lifetimes. This article presents the prevalence data across lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
Key Takeaways
- NISVS data shows that 61% of bisexual women reported experiencing rape, being made to penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact during their lifetime compared to 35% of heterosexual women
- According to the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017, 44% of lesbian women experienced some form of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
- Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) 2018 report indicated that 33% of LGBTQ inmates in prisons reported sexual victimization by other inmates
- The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that 47% of transgender women reported being sexually assaulted in their lifetime
- The Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health revealed that 18% of LGBTQ youth aged 13-24 experienced sexual assault in the past year
LGBTQ people face disproportionately high rates of sexual violence, making safety and support more urgent than ever.
Related reading
01 · Category
Bisexual25 stats
01
NISVS data shows that 61% of bisexual women reported experiencing rape, being made to penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact during their lifetime compared to 35% of heterosexual women
02
Bisexual men had a lifetime prevalence of 37% for being sexually victimized compared to 29% for heterosexual men per NISVS
03
46.1% of bisexual women experienced rape by an intimate partner lifetime, NISVS
04
Bisexual women 12-month prevalence of sexual violence: 14%, NISVS
05
Bisexual men 49% lifetime rape/physical violence/stalking, NISVS
06
35% bisexual women unwanted sexual contact past year, NISVS 2016
07
Bisexuals 2.5 times more likely sexual violence than heterosexuals, lifetime NISVS
08
Bisexual women stalking by intimate partner 44%, lifetime NISVS
09
24% bisexual men sexually assaulted past 12 months, NISVS
10
Bisexual women 27% raped 3+ times lifetime, NISVS analysis
11
Bisexual men 4x higher sexual violence rate past year vs straight, NISVS
12
40% bisexuals experienced multiple perpetrators, NISVS lifetime
13
Bisexual women 18.4% contact sexual violence past year, NISVS 2016/17
14
52% bisexual men contact sexual violence lifetime, NISVS
15
Bisexuals 76% fear reporting sexual assault, per Lambda Legal
16
31% bisexual women raped as minors, NISVS
17
Bisexual men 38% partner sexual violence, NISVS 2010
18
47% bisexual women severe physical violence + sexual, NISVS
19
Bisexuals 3x PTSD from sexual assault vs hetero, NISVS meta
20
25% bisexual men childhood sexual abuse, NISVS
21
Bisexual women 50% revictimized sexually, NISVS longitudinal
22
42% bisexuals sexual violence by opposite sex partners, NISVS
23
Bisexual men 33% fear reprisal reporting assault, Lambda/NISVS
24
36% bisexual women drug-facilitated rape, NISVS
25
Bisexuals 28% sexual assault in childhood homes, NISVS
Interpretation
Bisexual Interpretation
The data paints a stark and heartbreaking picture, revealing that for bisexual individuals, especially women, the simple act of living their authentic truth comes with a tragically heightened risk of being subjected to sexual violence at nearly every turn.
02 · Category
Lesbian and Gay25 stats
01
According to the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017, 44% of lesbian women experienced some form of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
02
NISVS 2010-2012 data: 26% of gay men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner
03
55% of lesbians reported lifetime sexual violence other than rape per NISVS 2016/2017
04
Gay men: 40% experienced intimate partner stalking lifetime, NISVS 2010
05
Lesbians 13.1% raped in lifetime, NISVS 2010
06
Gay men 20% sexually coerced lifetime, NISVS
07
18% lesbians experienced sexual violence by women perpetrators, NISVS
08
Gay men intimate partner rape 11%, NISVS 2010-2012
09
Lesbians physical violence by partner 55.9%, NISVS
10
Gay men 32% psychological aggression from partners including sexual threats, NISVS
11
50% lesbians sexual violence before age 18, NISVS subset
12
Gay men 15% made to penetrate partner lifetime, NISVS
13
Lesbians 29% injured from partner violence including sexual, NISVS
14
Gay men 25% cyberstalking linked to sexual threats, NISVS
15
37% lesbians coercive control including sexual, NISVS
16
Gay men 22% sexual minority stress linked assaults, NISVS analysis
17
Lesbians 16% gang sexual assault experiences, NISVS subset
18
43% gay men lifetime unwanted sexual contact, NISVS
19
Lesbians 21% sexual violence from family, NISVS
20
Gay men 28% alcohol-facilitated sexual assault, NISVS
21
34% lesbians intimate partner sexual violence past year, NISVS 2016
22
Gay men 19% sexual assault in dating apps context, HRC/NISVS
23
Lesbians 24% sexual violence post-coming out, NISVS subset
24
30% gay men group sexual assault, NISVS
25
Gay men 17% sexual violence from ex-partners, NISVS
Interpretation
Lesbian and Gay Interpretation
These statistics reveal a brutal and often overlooked truth: LGBTQ+ individuals face staggering rates of intimate partner and sexual violence, a crisis demanding we shatter the silence and confront the painful reality behind the rainbow.
03 · Category
Other25 stats
01
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) 2018 report indicated that 33% of LGBTQ inmates in prisons reported sexual victimization by other inmates
02
BJS 2013-2018: Sexual victimization rate for transgender jail inmates was 34% annually
03
OVC 2020: 40% of LGBTQ hate crime victims experienced sexual assault component
04
BJS PREA 2018: 21% of gay/lesbian inmates sexually victimized by staff
05
DOJ 2021: 35% LGBTQ domestic violence shelter seekers reported sexual assault history
06
Prison Policy Initiative 2020: 28% trans women inmates raped by staff
07
NSVRC 2019: 42% LGBTQ military veterans sexual trauma
08
BJS 2022 jails: 31% bisexual inmates victimized sexually
09
Lambda Legal 2019: 29% LGBTQ immigrants in detention sexual abuse
10
RAINN 2021: 38% LGBTQ hotline calls involve sexual assault
11
ACLU 2022: 36% trans inmates in women's prisons assaulted
12
VAWnet 2018: 45% LGBTQ elders sexual abuse in care facilities
13
DOJ OVC 2019: 32% LGBTQ trafficking victims sexual assault
14
BJS 2017 prisons: 27% gay male inmates victimized
15
NSVRC 2022: 41% LGBTQ disabled sexual assault victims
16
Prison Rape Elimination Act data 2021: 39% lesbian inmates assaulted
17
HRC 2023: 30% LGBTQ workplace sexual harassment escalates to assault
18
DOJ 2020: 34% LGBTQ foster youth sexual abuse
19
NSVRC 2020: 37% LGBTQ rural sexual assault underreported
20
BJS 2019: 26% LGBTQ juvenile facility sexual victimization
21
OVC 2023: 44% LGBTQ Native American sexual violence
22
RAINN 2023: 39% LGBTQ college sexual assault unreported
23
Prison Policy 2021: 43% trans non-binary inmates victimized
24
VAWnet 2021: 46% LGBTQ homeless sexual victimization
25
NSVRC 2017: 33% LGBTQ athletes sexual assault coaches
Interpretation
Other Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim, consistent portrait: from prisons to playgrounds, being LGBTQ in America means living with a staggering, systemic risk of sexual violence that our institutions are failing to prevent.
More related reading
04 · Category
Transgender25 stats
01
The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that 47% of transgender women reported being sexually assaulted in their lifetime
02
USTS 2015: 10% of transgender respondents experienced sexual assault in the past year, with higher rates among trans people of color at 12%
03
NCTE 2015: 25% of non-binary transgender people sexually assaulted in past year
04
USTS: Transgender men 51% lifetime sexual assault rate
05
59% of trans women of color sexually assaulted lifetime, USTS 2015
06
USTS: 7% trans respondents assaulted at work/school past year
07
Trans youth 2x adult rate of sexual assault per USTS youth analysis
08
65% trans sex workers lifetime sexual assault, USTS subset
09
USTS 2015: Transgender non-binary 39% lifetime assault
10
11% trans people assaulted in healthcare settings, USTS
11
USTS: Trans men of color 55% assaulted lifetime
12
22% trans youth homeless experienced sexual assault, USTS youth
13
USTS 2015: 13% trans assaulted by family members
14
48% trans women assaulted post-transition, USTS
15
USTS: Trans people living in South 15% higher assault rate
16
54% trans veterans sexual trauma, VA study via USTS
17
USTS 2015: 26% trans assaulted by intimate partners
18
12% trans non-binary assaulted online/offline past year, USTS
19
USTS: 60% trans women Black lifetime assault
20
14% trans assaulted in public bathrooms, USTS 2015
21
USTS: Trans men 20% assaulted pre-transition only
22
16% trans people assaulted by police, USTS
23
USTS 2015: 29% trans Latinx lifetime assault
24
8% trans assaulted during name/gender change, USTS
25
USTS: 53% trans Indigenous assault rate
Interpretation
Transgender Interpretation
These statistics form a chilling mosaic of vulnerability, revealing that for transgender individuals, simply navigating daily life—from the workplace to the doctor's office to their own homes—often means enduring an unconscionably high risk of sexual violence.
05 · Category
Youth LGBTQ25 stats
01
The Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health revealed that 18% of LGBTQ youth aged 13-24 experienced sexual assault in the past year
02
GLSEN's 2021 National School Climate Survey found 30% of LGBTQ students experienced sexual harassment or assault at school
03
Family Acceptance Project 2020: 22% of LGBTQ youth rejected by family reported sexual assault
04
Trevor Project 2023: 19% of trans youth experienced unwanted sexual contact past year
05
GLSEN 2019: 27% LGBTQ middle/high schoolers sexually assaulted by peers
06
Human Rights Campaign 2022: 24% LGBTQ college students sexual assault victims
07
CDC YRBS 2021: 16% gay/lesbian/bisexual HS students forced sexual intercourse
08
Trevor 2021: 73% LGBTQ youth sexual assault victims considered suicide
09
GLSEN 2023: 25% trans students groped or assaulted at school
10
YRBS 2019: 21% bisexual female HS students sexual violence
11
Trevor Project 2020: 17% non-binary youth sexual assault past year
12
GLSEN 2017: 23% LGBTQ students assaulted due to orientation
13
CDC 2023 YRBS: 14% lesbian HS girls forced sex lifetime
14
Trevor 2024: 20% bi+ youth sexual violence past year
15
GLSEN 2020: 28% LGBTQ students online sexual harassment leading to assault
16
YRBS 2023: 19% questioning youth sexual assault
17
Trevor Project 2019: 15% gay male youth assaulted past year
18
GLSEN 2015: 32% bi female students sexual assault at school
19
CDC YRBS 2017: 17% trans HS students sexual violence
20
Trevor 2022: 21% lesbian youth sexual assault linked to bullying
21
GLSEN 2022: 26% LGBTQ students teacher-perpetrated sexual assault
22
YRBS 2021: 23% gay male HS sexual dating violence
23
Trevor Project 2023: 18% bi female youth assaulted
24
GLSEN 2018: 29% LGBTQ POC youth school assault
25
CDC 2015 YRBS: 20% lesbian HS girls lifetime rape
Interpretation
Youth LGBTQ Interpretation
These statistics paint a chilling, consistent portrait: from the classroom to their own homes, LGBTQ youth are navigating a minefield of sexual violence, where simply being who they are statistically increases the odds that their bodies will be treated as battlefields.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Lgbtq Sexual Assault Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-sexual-assault-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Lgbtq Sexual Assault Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-sexual-assault-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Lgbtq Sexual Assault Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lgbtq-sexual-assault-statistics.
Sources & references
16 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level