GITNUXREPORT 2025

Men Sexual Assault Statistics

Male sexual assault remains underreported, affects 1.4%, and causes long-term trauma.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The legal recognition of male rape is still limited in many countries, impacting reporting and justice

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The implementation of specialized training for law enforcement on male sexual assault cases has increased the rate of successful investigations, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches

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The majority of male sexual assault victims know their attacker, often being a friend or family member

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In a survey, 25% of male perpetrators of sexual violence against men reported being abused as children, indicating a cycle of abuse

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Estimates suggest that less than 1% of male sexual assault victims are perpetrators themselves, indicating most victims are harmed by others

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Approximately 1 in 71 men (about 1.4%) in the United States has been sexually victimized at some point in their lifetime

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Men make up about 10% of all sexual assault victims reported to police in the United States

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Nearly 20% of male sexual assault victims are under the age of 18

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About 25% of male victims of sexual violence experience their first assault before the age of 12

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The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among men is estimated to be around 8-10%

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Men of color are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, with higher rates reported among African American and Latino men

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An estimated 3-5% of male rape victims experience forcible penetration

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The average age of male sexual assault victims at their first experience is around 11-13 years old

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Male victims of sexual violence have higher rates of substance abuse disorders compared to non-victims

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Male sexual assault cases make up approximately 2-4% of total reported cases in the criminal justice system

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In some surveys, up to 19% of gay and bisexual men have been raped or assaulted, highlighting higher risks in these populations

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Men with disabilities are at higher risk for experiencing sexual violence compared to men without disabilities, with rates exceeding 20%

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Approximately 12-20% of male inmates in correctional facilities report experiencing sexual violence, highlighting high institutional risks

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Among male college students, approximately 4-8% report experiencing sexual assault during their tenure, underscoring higher risk in academic settings

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Of male victims of sexual violence, only about 20% report their victimization to authorities

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Approximately 90% of male victims do not disclose their assault to anyone

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Male sexual assault victims are less likely than females to access support services, with barriers including stigma and lack of targeted resources

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Male sexual assault victims report feeling less able to access healthcare services due to societal stigma

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Studies suggest that male sexual assault survivors are less likely to seek counseling or therapy, often due to stigma and guilt

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Reports indicate that male sexual violence is underreported by approximately 80%, making true prevalence difficult to determine

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Male victims of sexual assault are at increased risk for experiencing intimate partner violence, but often face barriers in reporting

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The proportion of male victims who report their assault to medical personnel is around 10-15%, indicating low reporting rates to healthcare providers

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Male victims are more likely than female victims to delay reporting their assault by several years, due to shame or fears of disbelief

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Sexual violence against men is often inadequately addressed in national policies and programs, affecting survivor support and justice

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Male sexual assault victims who seek help often report feeling dismissed or stigmatized by healthcare and law enforcement professionals, affecting reporting and recovery

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Less than 30% of male sexual assault victims partake in victim support groups due to stigma and lack of awareness, impeding recovery

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Public awareness campaigns about male sexual violence have been shown to increase reported cases and help-seeking over time, highlighting the importance of education

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Male survivors often experience societal misconceptions that male rape is less severe, which impacts their willingness to disclose and seek support

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Data indicates that about 70% of male sexual assault victims do not use protective services or protections due to embarrassment or fear, reducing access to help

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Men who experience sexual assault are at increased risk for mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD

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Male survivors of sexual assault are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to men who have not been assaulted

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About 60% of male sexual assault victims experience feeling of shame or embarrassment afterward, affecting their likelihood to seek help

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Up to 60% of male survivors experience revictimization later in life, often due to unresolved trauma

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Childhood sexual abuse in boys increases the risk of developing hypermasculinity and aggression later in life

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Male sexual assault survivors frequently experience feelings of emasculation and loss of masculinity, which can hinder recovery

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Alcohol and drug use are common among male sexual assault victims at the time of victimization, often as coping mechanisms

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Male sexual assault is often linked with higher rates of homelessness, especially among young men, due to trauma and stigma

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The majority of male survivors report feeling confusion and self-blame after their assault, which delays disclosure and healing

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The rates of re-victimization among male sexual assault survivors can be as high as 35%, especially if initial trauma is unresolved

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The trauma from male sexual assault can lead to physical health problems such as chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, and injuries, impacting overall well-being

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Many male sexual assault victims experience a sense of isolation, with over 50% reporting that they feel estranged from friends or family after disclosure, hindering recovery

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Male sexual assault survivors emphasize the importance of affirmation and validation from support providers for effective healing, indicating gaps in current service provision

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 71 men (about 1.4%) in the United States has been sexually victimized at some point in their lifetime
Men make up about 10% of all sexual assault victims reported to police in the United States
Nearly 20% of male sexual assault victims are under the age of 18
About 25% of male victims of sexual violence experience their first assault before the age of 12
Of male victims of sexual violence, only about 20% report their victimization to authorities
Men who experience sexual assault are at increased risk for mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among men is estimated to be around 8-10%
Male survivors of sexual assault are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to men who have not been assaulted
Approximately 90% of male victims do not disclose their assault to anyone
Men of color are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, with higher rates reported among African American and Latino men
An estimated 3-5% of male rape victims experience forcible penetration
The majority of male sexual assault victims know their attacker, often being a friend or family member
About 60% of male sexual assault victims experience feeling of shame or embarrassment afterward, affecting their likelihood to seek help

Although often overlooked, male sexual assault is a pervasive and underreported crisis in the United States, with startling statistics revealing that approximately 1 in 71 men have been victimized, yet most suffer in silence due to stigma, shame, and inadequate support systems.

Legal Recognition, Support Systems, and Prevention Initiatives

The legal recognition of male rape is still limited in many countries, impacting reporting and justice
The implementation of specialized training for law enforcement on male sexual assault cases has increased the rate of successful investigations, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches

Legal Recognition, Support Systems, and Prevention Initiatives Interpretation

While progress is being made with targeted law enforcement training boosting successful investigations, the global legal blind spot on male rape underscores that justice for male survivors still needs more than just better training—it demands broader recognition and unwavering commitment.

Perpetrators, Offender Characteristics, and Societal Factors

The majority of male sexual assault victims know their attacker, often being a friend or family member
In a survey, 25% of male perpetrators of sexual violence against men reported being abused as children, indicating a cycle of abuse
Estimates suggest that less than 1% of male sexual assault victims are perpetrators themselves, indicating most victims are harmed by others

Perpetrators, Offender Characteristics, and Societal Factors Interpretation

The statistics reveal a disturbing pattern: most male victims are betrayed not by strangers lurking in the shadows, but by those they trust, underscoring the urgent need to break the cycle of abuse and challenge misconceptions about masculinity and perpetration.

Prevalence and Demographics of Male Sexual Assault

Approximately 1 in 71 men (about 1.4%) in the United States has been sexually victimized at some point in their lifetime
Men make up about 10% of all sexual assault victims reported to police in the United States
Nearly 20% of male sexual assault victims are under the age of 18
About 25% of male victims of sexual violence experience their first assault before the age of 12
The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among men is estimated to be around 8-10%
Men of color are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, with higher rates reported among African American and Latino men
An estimated 3-5% of male rape victims experience forcible penetration
The average age of male sexual assault victims at their first experience is around 11-13 years old
Male victims of sexual violence have higher rates of substance abuse disorders compared to non-victims
Male sexual assault cases make up approximately 2-4% of total reported cases in the criminal justice system
In some surveys, up to 19% of gay and bisexual men have been raped or assaulted, highlighting higher risks in these populations
Men with disabilities are at higher risk for experiencing sexual violence compared to men without disabilities, with rates exceeding 20%
Approximately 12-20% of male inmates in correctional facilities report experiencing sexual violence, highlighting high institutional risks
Among male college students, approximately 4-8% report experiencing sexual assault during their tenure, underscoring higher risk in academic settings

Prevalence and Demographics of Male Sexual Assault Interpretation

Despite making up just around 10% of reported sexual assault victims in the U.S., male survivors—especially among minorities, youth, and vulnerable populations—face an alarming reality: childhood scars, higher substance abuse, and institutional dangers reveal that male sexual violence is a serious and often underrecognized crisis demanding sustained attention.

Reporting, Disclosure, and Help-Seeking Behavior

Of male victims of sexual violence, only about 20% report their victimization to authorities
Approximately 90% of male victims do not disclose their assault to anyone
Male sexual assault victims are less likely than females to access support services, with barriers including stigma and lack of targeted resources
Male sexual assault victims report feeling less able to access healthcare services due to societal stigma
Studies suggest that male sexual assault survivors are less likely to seek counseling or therapy, often due to stigma and guilt
Reports indicate that male sexual violence is underreported by approximately 80%, making true prevalence difficult to determine
Male victims of sexual assault are at increased risk for experiencing intimate partner violence, but often face barriers in reporting
The proportion of male victims who report their assault to medical personnel is around 10-15%, indicating low reporting rates to healthcare providers
Male victims are more likely than female victims to delay reporting their assault by several years, due to shame or fears of disbelief
Sexual violence against men is often inadequately addressed in national policies and programs, affecting survivor support and justice
Male sexual assault victims who seek help often report feeling dismissed or stigmatized by healthcare and law enforcement professionals, affecting reporting and recovery
Less than 30% of male sexual assault victims partake in victim support groups due to stigma and lack of awareness, impeding recovery
Public awareness campaigns about male sexual violence have been shown to increase reported cases and help-seeking over time, highlighting the importance of education
Male survivors often experience societal misconceptions that male rape is less severe, which impacts their willingness to disclose and seek support
Data indicates that about 70% of male sexual assault victims do not use protective services or protections due to embarrassment or fear, reducing access to help

Reporting, Disclosure, and Help-Seeking Behavior Interpretation

Despite constituting a significant and often overlooked segment of sexual violence victims—whose underreporting rates soar to approximately 80%—male survivors frequently remain silent, hindered by stigma and societal misconceptions that not only diminish their access to support and healthcare but also perpetuate a dangerous cycle of silence and under-recognition in policy and public discourse.

Victim Experiences and Psychological Impact

Men who experience sexual assault are at increased risk for mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Male survivors of sexual assault are 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to men who have not been assaulted
About 60% of male sexual assault victims experience feeling of shame or embarrassment afterward, affecting their likelihood to seek help
Up to 60% of male survivors experience revictimization later in life, often due to unresolved trauma
Childhood sexual abuse in boys increases the risk of developing hypermasculinity and aggression later in life
Male sexual assault survivors frequently experience feelings of emasculation and loss of masculinity, which can hinder recovery
Alcohol and drug use are common among male sexual assault victims at the time of victimization, often as coping mechanisms
Male sexual assault is often linked with higher rates of homelessness, especially among young men, due to trauma and stigma
The majority of male survivors report feeling confusion and self-blame after their assault, which delays disclosure and healing
The rates of re-victimization among male sexual assault survivors can be as high as 35%, especially if initial trauma is unresolved
The trauma from male sexual assault can lead to physical health problems such as chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, and injuries, impacting overall well-being
Many male sexual assault victims experience a sense of isolation, with over 50% reporting that they feel estranged from friends or family after disclosure, hindering recovery
Male sexual assault survivors emphasize the importance of affirmation and validation from support providers for effective healing, indicating gaps in current service provision

Victim Experiences and Psychological Impact Interpretation

Male survivors of sexual assault face a complex web of mental health challenges, heightened vulnerability to revictimization, and profound feelings of emasculation and shame—underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive, stigma-free support systems to foster true healing.