GITNUXREPORT 2026

Molestation Statistics

Child sexual abuse is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of children.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

CSA survivors 2.5x more likely to attempt suicide

Statistic 2

80% of CSA victims suffer long-term PTSD symptoms

Statistic 3

Victims 4x more likely to develop depression

Statistic 4

30-50% develop substance abuse disorders

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Increased risk of obesity: 1.36 odds ratio per meta-analysis

Statistic 6

40% report chronic pain issues

Statistic 7

Dissociative disorders in 60% of severe cases

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Revictimization rate: 36% experience further assault

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70% have sleep disturbances lifelong

Statistic 10

Anxiety disorders 3x higher prevalence

Statistic 11

Eating disorders risk 2.7x elevated

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Self-harm rates 2-4x higher

Statistic 13

Cognitive impairments in 25% of adult survivors

Statistic 14

STD infection risk 2x due to early abuse

Statistic 15

Borderline personality disorder 40-70% comorbidity

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50% higher cardiovascular disease risk

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Somatization disorder in 33% of women survivors

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Intergenerational transmission: 30% risk to own children

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62% report sexual dysfunction in adulthood

Statistic 20

Immune system suppression leading to 25% more illnesses

Statistic 21

80% experience trust issues in relationships

Statistic 22

Suicide attempts: 3x rate vs non-victims

Statistic 23

45% develop alcohol dependence

Statistic 24

Neurological changes: 20% smaller hippocampus

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75% of serial rapists were abused as children

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96% of child molesters are male

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40% of perpetrators are parents or guardians

Statistic 28

Average child molester has 117 victims per lifetime

Statistic 29

50% of perpetrators have 2-9 victims

Statistic 30

Clergy abuse: 4% of priests accused per John Jay Report

Statistic 31

76% of perpetrators are adults aged 18+

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Familial perpetrators: 34%, acquaintances 59%

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35% of perpetrators have history of own CSA

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Online groomers: 80% male, average age 35

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Recidivism rate for child sex offenders: 13% within 5 years

Statistic 36

60% of molesters are married or in relationships

Statistic 37

Coaches/athletic staff: 7% of institutional abuse

Statistic 38

White males comprise 67% of convicted child molesters

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42% of perpetrators have alcohol issues

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Preferential molesters target children exclusively 50% of cases

Statistic 41

Situational offenders: 20-30% of cases, opportunity-based

Statistic 42

Teacher perpetrators: 9.6% admit to abuse per study

Statistic 43

86% of familial abusers are fathers/stepfathers

Statistic 44

Female perpetrators: 10-20% of cases, often with male co-offenders

Statistic 45

Average age of first offense: 32 years

Statistic 46

70% have prior non-sexual criminal history

Statistic 47

Regressed molesters: 40%, previously law-abiding

Statistic 48

In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18

Statistic 49

Globally, UNICEF estimates that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts

Statistic 50

A 2018 study found that 21% of U.S. adults reported childhood sexual abuse

Statistic 51

In Australia, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reported that 1.7 million people experienced child sexual abuse in institutions

Statistic 52

UK NSPCC data shows 5.2% of adults reported sexual abuse before age 16

Statistic 53

A WHO report indicates 18-20% of women worldwide experienced sexual abuse as children

Statistic 54

In India, a 2019 NCRB report noted 32,033 cases of child sexual abuse registered

Statistic 55

South African studies estimate 35% of girls experience sexual violence before 18

Statistic 56

Canadian prevalence survey found 32.2% of women and 15.1% of men reported CSA

Statistic 57

In Germany, a 2019 study reported 8.1% prevalence of contact CSA among adults

Statistic 58

Brazilian national survey showed 14.5% of children experienced sexual violence

Statistic 59

In the U.S., RAINN reports 93% of juvenile victims know their perpetrator

Statistic 60

European prevalence averages 9.2% for girls and 5.7% for boys under 18

Statistic 61

Nigeria's Violence Against Children Survey found 34.1% girls and 18.4% boys experienced sexual violence

Statistic 62

Japan's 2016 survey indicated 7.5% of females and 2.2% of males experienced CSA

Statistic 63

Mexico's ENSANUT reported 22% of women experienced CSA

Statistic 64

In France, 14% of women and 5% of men reported CSA per 2018 survey

Statistic 65

U.S. child maltreatment data shows 8.6 per 1,000 children victims of sexual abuse in 2021

Statistic 66

Sweden's 2020 study found lifetime CSA prevalence of 12.1% for women

Statistic 67

Philippines DOH data: 11,000+ CSA cases annually reported

Statistic 68

Italy's prevalence estimated at 10-15% for children under 16

Statistic 69

In the U.S., 63,000+ children confirmed sexual abuse victims in 2020

Statistic 70

Russia's 2019 data showed 12,000 CSA crimes registered

Statistic 71

Kenya's Violence Against Children survey: 33% girls, 18% boys affected

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New Zealand: 25% women, 11% men experienced CSA

Statistic 73

Turkey's 2021 reports: 20,000+ child sexual abuse cases

Statistic 74

In the U.S., 91% of child sexual abuse occurs by someone known

Statistic 75

Global meta-analysis: 12.7% girls, 7.6% boys CSA prevalence

Statistic 76

Ireland's SAVI report: 28% women, 9% men lifetime CSA

Statistic 77

Egypt: 13% girls experienced sexual violence per UNICEF

Statistic 78

Only 30% of CSA cases are reported to authorities

Statistic 79

90% of reports come from third parties, not victims

Statistic 80

Conviction rate for child sex crimes: 58% per U.S. data

Statistic 81

Average sentence for CSA: 12 years, but 35% serve less than 3

Statistic 82

False allegations: 2-10% of cases per meta-analysis

Statistic 83

Reporting increases with age: 40% adults disclose vs 12% children

Statistic 84

Mandatory reporting laws cover 48 U.S. states fully

Statistic 85

67% of cases not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence

Statistic 86

Recidivism post-release: 5.3% rearrest for sex crime in 3 years

Statistic 87

International: only 10% of cases lead to conviction per WHO

Statistic 88

Hotline calls: RAINN receives 70,000+ sexual assault calls yearly

Statistic 89

Delay in reporting: average 20 years for adults

Statistic 90

93% of child victims know abuser, hindering reporting

Statistic 91

DNA evidence used in 20% of solved cases

Statistic 92

Victim support services reach only 15% of cases

Statistic 93

Plea bargains in 90% of federal child sex cases

Statistic 94

U.S. females aged 18-24 highest risk at 2.9 per 1,000 for sexual assault

Statistic 95

82% of juvenile victims are female per U.S. DOJ

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Average age of CSA victims is 9 years old

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34% of CSA victims are under age 9

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In U.S., 50% of victims are white, 21% Black, 18% Hispanic

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Disabled children 3.5 times more likely to be victims

Statistic 100

LGBTQ youth 2-3 times more likely to experience CSA

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90% of child victims know perpetrator as family or acquaintance

Statistic 102

Girls in foster care 4 times more likely to experience sexual abuse

Statistic 103

Indigenous children in Canada 3 times higher CSA rates

Statistic 104

60% of victims are abused by family members

Statistic 105

Urban vs rural: urban children 1.5x more reported cases

Statistic 106

Poverty increases risk by 2-3 times per studies

Statistic 107

70% of victims under 13 at first abuse

Statistic 108

Male victims less likely to disclose, only 23% report timely

Statistic 109

Single-parent households: 2x higher risk

Statistic 110

Children with mental health issues 4x more vulnerable

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Hispanic girls highest reporting rate at 15%

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40% of victims develop somatic symptoms post-abuse

Statistic 113

Runaway youth 28-40% experienced CSA

Statistic 114

Military family children 1.7x higher risk

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Immigrant children face 2x risk due to instability

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25% of victims are boys, often underreported

Statistic 117

Victims aged 12-17: 51% of all sexual assaults per BJS

Statistic 118

96% of abusing parents are biological

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Sources

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The staggering statistics that one in four girls and one in six boys will endure sexual abuse before adulthood are not just cold numbers—they are a deafening alarm bell for a global crisis hidden in plain sight.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18
Globally, UNICEF estimates that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts
A 2018 study found that 21% of U.S. adults reported childhood sexual abuse
U.S. females aged 18-24 highest risk at 2.9 per 1,000 for sexual assault
82% of juvenile victims are female per U.S. DOJ
Average age of CSA victims is 9 years old
75% of serial rapists were abused as children
96% of child molesters are male
40% of perpetrators are parents or guardians
CSA survivors 2.5x more likely to attempt suicide
80% of CSA victims suffer long-term PTSD symptoms
Victims 4x more likely to develop depression
Only 30% of CSA cases are reported to authorities
90% of reports come from third parties, not victims
Conviction rate for child sex crimes: 58% per U.S. data

Child sexual abuse is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of children.

Health and Psychological Impacts

CSA survivors 2.5x more likely to attempt suicide
80% of CSA victims suffer long-term PTSD symptoms
Victims 4x more likely to develop depression
30-50% develop substance abuse disorders
Increased risk of obesity: 1.36 odds ratio per meta-analysis
40% report chronic pain issues
Dissociative disorders in 60% of severe cases
Revictimization rate: 36% experience further assault
70% have sleep disturbances lifelong
Anxiety disorders 3x higher prevalence
Eating disorders risk 2.7x elevated
Self-harm rates 2-4x higher
Cognitive impairments in 25% of adult survivors
STD infection risk 2x due to early abuse
Borderline personality disorder 40-70% comorbidity
50% higher cardiovascular disease risk
Somatization disorder in 33% of women survivors
Intergenerational transmission: 30% risk to own children
62% report sexual dysfunction in adulthood
Immune system suppression leading to 25% more illnesses
80% experience trust issues in relationships
Suicide attempts: 3x rate vs non-victims
45% develop alcohol dependence
Neurological changes: 20% smaller hippocampus

Health and Psychological Impacts Interpretation

The horrific data on childhood sexual abuse survivors paints a devastating but logical cascade: trauma physically rewires a child’s developing brain and body, creating a lifelong, statistically predictable battle against one's own mind, health, and safety.

Perpetrator Characteristics

75% of serial rapists were abused as children
96% of child molesters are male
40% of perpetrators are parents or guardians
Average child molester has 117 victims per lifetime
50% of perpetrators have 2-9 victims
Clergy abuse: 4% of priests accused per John Jay Report
76% of perpetrators are adults aged 18+
Familial perpetrators: 34%, acquaintances 59%
35% of perpetrators have history of own CSA
Online groomers: 80% male, average age 35
Recidivism rate for child sex offenders: 13% within 5 years
60% of molesters are married or in relationships
Coaches/athletic staff: 7% of institutional abuse
White males comprise 67% of convicted child molesters
42% of perpetrators have alcohol issues
Preferential molesters target children exclusively 50% of cases
Situational offenders: 20-30% of cases, opportunity-based
Teacher perpetrators: 9.6% admit to abuse per study
86% of familial abusers are fathers/stepfathers
Female perpetrators: 10-20% of cases, often with male co-offenders
Average age of first offense: 32 years
70% have prior non-sexual criminal history
Regressed molesters: 40%, previously law-abiding

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

These statistics reveal a deeply human horror: the cycle of abuse is often tragically inherited, and the trusted figure in a child's life—the father, the coach, the priest—is statistically far more likely to be the monster than the stranger in the shadows.

Prevalence and Incidence

In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18
Globally, UNICEF estimates that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts
A 2018 study found that 21% of U.S. adults reported childhood sexual abuse
In Australia, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reported that 1.7 million people experienced child sexual abuse in institutions
UK NSPCC data shows 5.2% of adults reported sexual abuse before age 16
A WHO report indicates 18-20% of women worldwide experienced sexual abuse as children
In India, a 2019 NCRB report noted 32,033 cases of child sexual abuse registered
South African studies estimate 35% of girls experience sexual violence before 18
Canadian prevalence survey found 32.2% of women and 15.1% of men reported CSA
In Germany, a 2019 study reported 8.1% prevalence of contact CSA among adults
Brazilian national survey showed 14.5% of children experienced sexual violence
In the U.S., RAINN reports 93% of juvenile victims know their perpetrator
European prevalence averages 9.2% for girls and 5.7% for boys under 18
Nigeria's Violence Against Children Survey found 34.1% girls and 18.4% boys experienced sexual violence
Japan's 2016 survey indicated 7.5% of females and 2.2% of males experienced CSA
Mexico's ENSANUT reported 22% of women experienced CSA
In France, 14% of women and 5% of men reported CSA per 2018 survey
U.S. child maltreatment data shows 8.6 per 1,000 children victims of sexual abuse in 2021
Sweden's 2020 study found lifetime CSA prevalence of 12.1% for women
Philippines DOH data: 11,000+ CSA cases annually reported
Italy's prevalence estimated at 10-15% for children under 16
In the U.S., 63,000+ children confirmed sexual abuse victims in 2020
Russia's 2019 data showed 12,000 CSA crimes registered
Kenya's Violence Against Children survey: 33% girls, 18% boys affected
New Zealand: 25% women, 11% men experienced CSA
Turkey's 2021 reports: 20,000+ child sexual abuse cases
In the U.S., 91% of child sexual abuse occurs by someone known
Global meta-analysis: 12.7% girls, 7.6% boys CSA prevalence
Ireland's SAVI report: 28% women, 9% men lifetime CSA
Egypt: 13% girls experienced sexual violence per UNICEF

Prevalence and Incidence Interpretation

These are not just abstract numbers but a damning global report card, and the consistent, horrific takeaway is that the world is failing catastrophically to protect its children from those they are supposed to trust.

Reporting and Legal Outcomes

Only 30% of CSA cases are reported to authorities
90% of reports come from third parties, not victims
Conviction rate for child sex crimes: 58% per U.S. data
Average sentence for CSA: 12 years, but 35% serve less than 3
False allegations: 2-10% of cases per meta-analysis
Reporting increases with age: 40% adults disclose vs 12% children
Mandatory reporting laws cover 48 U.S. states fully
67% of cases not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence
Recidivism post-release: 5.3% rearrest for sex crime in 3 years
International: only 10% of cases lead to conviction per WHO
Hotline calls: RAINN receives 70,000+ sexual assault calls yearly
Delay in reporting: average 20 years for adults
93% of child victims know abuser, hindering reporting
DNA evidence used in 20% of solved cases
Victim support services reach only 15% of cases
Plea bargains in 90% of federal child sex cases

Reporting and Legal Outcomes Interpretation

The legal system's response to child sexual abuse is a grimly efficient machine for turning widespread horror into sparse accountability, where most victims suffer in silence, few cases ever see a courtroom, and the rare conviction is often a negotiated shadow of justice.

Victim Characteristics

U.S. females aged 18-24 highest risk at 2.9 per 1,000 for sexual assault
82% of juvenile victims are female per U.S. DOJ
Average age of CSA victims is 9 years old
34% of CSA victims are under age 9
In U.S., 50% of victims are white, 21% Black, 18% Hispanic
Disabled children 3.5 times more likely to be victims
LGBTQ youth 2-3 times more likely to experience CSA
90% of child victims know perpetrator as family or acquaintance
Girls in foster care 4 times more likely to experience sexual abuse
Indigenous children in Canada 3 times higher CSA rates
60% of victims are abused by family members
Urban vs rural: urban children 1.5x more reported cases
Poverty increases risk by 2-3 times per studies
70% of victims under 13 at first abuse
Male victims less likely to disclose, only 23% report timely
Single-parent households: 2x higher risk
Children with mental health issues 4x more vulnerable
Hispanic girls highest reporting rate at 15%
40% of victims develop somatic symptoms post-abuse
Runaway youth 28-40% experienced CSA
Military family children 1.7x higher risk
Immigrant children face 2x risk due to instability
25% of victims are boys, often underreported
Victims aged 12-17: 51% of all sexual assaults per BJS
96% of abusing parents are biological

Victim Characteristics Interpretation

The data paints a grim portrait of a crisis where the most vulnerable—young girls, disabled children, and those in fractured or marginalized communities—are systematically preyed upon by the very people and systems meant to protect them.

Sources & References

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