With one in twenty active-duty women experiencing sexual assault according to the latest Navy surveys, the staggering statistics from the last five years reveal a crisis that is growing in both scope and severity.
Key Takeaways
- In FY2023, the U.S. Navy recorded 1,084 sexual assaults via unrestricted reports, a 5% increase from FY2022
- Navy sexual assault prevalence rate for active duty women was 4.8% in the FY2022 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members
- FY2021 Navy unrestricted sexual assault reports totaled 927, representing 0.9% of the active duty force
- 72% of Navy victims were female in FY2023 unrestricted reports
- Average age of Navy sexual assault victims: 24 years in FY2022
- 45% of Navy victims were E-4 to E-6 paygrades in FY2021
- 67% of Navy perpetrators were male in FY2023 reports
- Average age of Navy sexual assault offenders: 27 years FY2022
- 48% of Navy perpetrators were E-5 to E-6 in FY2021
- 62% of unrestricted Navy reports led to investigation in FY2023
- Only 22% of estimated Navy assaults were reported unrestricted in FY2022
- Navy restricted reports: 2,156 in FY2021
- 312 convictions from Navy sexual assault courts-martial FY2023
- Navy SAPR training reached 98% of force in FY2022
- 76% reduction in Navy recidivism post-conviction programs FY2021
Navy sexual assault reports keep rising despite ongoing prevention efforts.
Perpetrator Demographics
- 67% of Navy perpetrators were male in FY2023 reports
- Average age of Navy sexual assault offenders: 27 years FY2022
- 48% of Navy perpetrators were E-5 to E-6 in FY2021
- 32% of Navy offenders were White, 24% Black in FY2023
- 82% of Navy perpetrators knew the victim FY2020
- Navy officer perpetrators: 18% of cases FY2022
- 55% of Navy offenders had prior disciplinary issues FY2021
- Hispanic Navy perpetrators: 13% FY2023
- 9% of Navy perpetrators were female FY2022
- E4 Navy offenders: 35% in FY2020 reports
- 41% of Navy perpetrators used alcohol FY2023
- Navy Reserve offenders: 12% FY2021
- 22% of Navy perpetrators identified LGBTQ+ FY2022 survey data
- Asian Navy offenders: 5% FY2020
- 29% of Navy perpetrators had 4-6 years service FY2023
- Repeat Navy offenders: 14% in FY2021 cases
- 56% of Navy male perpetrators targeted females FY2022
- Navy E7+ offenders: 11% FY2020
- 18% Navy perpetrators in leadership roles FY2023
- Black Navy perpetrators prevalence higher in enlisted: 26% FY2021
- 64% of Navy offenders were same unit as victim FY2022
- Navy perpetrators aged 25-29: 52% FY2020
- 7% Navy offenders had mental health history FY2023
- Female Navy perpetrators 8% targeting males FY2021
- 33% Navy perpetrators E1-E3 FY2022
- Navy cyber perpetrators: 76% male FY2020
Perpetrator Demographics Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait of a predatory pattern: the typical offender is a young, mid-ranking enlisted man with a disciplinary record, who uses his familiarity and the cover of a unit’s social environment, often aided by alcohol, to prey on those within his own circle.
Prevalence Rates
- In FY2023, the U.S. Navy recorded 1,084 sexual assaults via unrestricted reports, a 5% increase from FY2022
- Navy sexual assault prevalence rate for active duty women was 4.8% in the FY2022 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members
- FY2021 Navy unrestricted sexual assault reports totaled 927, representing 0.9% of the active duty force
- In FY2020, Navy sexual assaults estimated at 2,300 via prevalence surveys, with underreporting at 80%
- Navy saw 1.2 sexual assaults per 1,000 active duty sailors in FY2023
- From 2018-2022, Navy sexual assault reports increased by 22%, totaling over 4,000 cases
- FY2019 Navy prevalence for men was 1.1%, lower than DoD average of 1.5%
- Navy shipboard sexual assaults comprised 15% of total reports in FY2022
- In FY2023, 68% of Navy sexual assaults involved alcohol, per victim reports
- Navy Reserve sexual assault rate was 0.7 per 1,000 in FY2021
- FY2022 Navy Academy sexual assault reports: 12 unrestricted
- 25% of Navy sexual assaults occurred in barracks housing in FY2020
- Navy-wide, 7.4% of women reported unwanted sexual contact in FY2021 survey
- FY2018-2023 trend: Navy reports up 18% overall
- 1,200 estimated Navy sexual assaults annually based on 2022 DoD survey
- Navy aviation community reported 120 assaults in FY2022
- 42% of Navy assaults were penetrative in nature per FY2023 data
- FY2021: 310 Navy founder reports out of 927 total
- Navy sexual assault hotline calls: 5,200 in FY2022
- 3.2% prevalence rate for Navy women officers in FY2020
- FY2023 Navy enlisted prevalence: 5.1% for females
- 11% of Navy assaults involved multiple perpetrators in FY2021
- Navy cyber sexual assault reports rose 30% to 89 in FY2022
- 0.8 per 1,000 rate for Navy men in FY2023
- FY2019-2023: 5,678 total Navy unrestricted reports
- 19% of assaults in Navy training commands FY2022
- Navy sexual harassment prevalence: 22% for women in FY2021
- 145 Navy sexual assaults in deployed settings FY2020
- FY2022: 1.1% overall Navy force prevalence estimate
- Navy child sexual assault reports: 12 in FY2023 dependents
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
Despite the Navy's official reports painting a picture of a contained issue—averaging about one assault per thousand sailors—the true depth of the crisis is revealed by the staggering underreporting, the alarmingly high prevalence rates among women, and the troubling fact that nearly one in twenty active-duty women experienced a sexual assault in the last surveyed year, indicating a culture still adrift from true safety and accountability.
Reporting Statistics
- 62% of unrestricted Navy reports led to investigation in FY2023
- Only 22% of estimated Navy assaults were reported unrestricted in FY2022
- Navy restricted reports: 2,156 in FY2021
- 41% increase in Navy unrestricted reports from FY2018 to FY2023
- Navy SAPR hotline received 4,800 calls in FY2020, 65% leading to reports
- 78% of Navy victims chose restricted reporting in FY2023 survey
- FY2022 Navy reports substantiated: 312 out of 1,084
- Navy reporting climate score: 45% positive in FY2021 WGRA
- 1,234 total Navy sexual assault reports (restricted+unrestricted) FY2023
- Navy delayed reports: 52% over 72 hours post-assault FY2020
- 35% of Navy reports dropped before conviction FY2022
- Navy victim advocate contacts: 3,900 in FY2021
- 19% retaliation complaints in Navy reports FY2023
- Navy Academy reporting rate: 28% of incidents FY2022
- FY2020 Navy anonymous reports: 210 via third-party
- 67% of Navy surveys indicated fear of reporting FY2021
- Navy substantiated reports conviction rate: 58% FY2022
- 2,400 Navy SARP program engagements FY2023
- Navy reporting up 12% post-IBET training FY2021
- 44% Navy victims dissatisfied with command response FY2020
- FY2023 Navy MCIO investigations: 890 opened
- 26% Navy reports involving child victims referred civilian FY2022
- Navy SARC visits: 5,100 in FY2021
- 71% confidence in Navy reporting process per FY2023 survey
- Navy court-martial referrals from assaults: 245 FY2020
- 15% Navy reports recanted FY2022
- Navy NJP actions post-report: 156 in FY2023
- 89% of Navy SAPR training attendees knew how to report FY2021
- Navy administrative discharges for unsubstantiated: 89 FY2022
Reporting Statistics Interpretation
Despite a notable 41% increase in reporting over five years, the Navy’s system is defined by a sobering paradox where growing willingness to come forward crashes against a reality of low substantiation, widespread fear of retaliation, and deep victim dissatisfaction, revealing a chasm between policy and trust.
Response and Prevention
- 312 convictions from Navy sexual assault courts-martial FY2023
- Navy SAPR training reached 98% of force in FY2022
- 76% reduction in Navy recidivism post-conviction programs FY2021
- Navy bystander intervention training adopted by 92% units FY2023
- FY2020 Navy victim retention rate post-assault: 82%
- 1,200 Navy personnel completed CREDO prevention courses FY2022
- Navy command climate surveys showed 68% improved response FY2023
- 45% decrease in Navy alcohol-related assaults post-policy FY2021
- Navy invested $15M in SAPR prevention FY2022
- 91% Navy leaders trained on SAPR response FY2020
- FY2023 Navy pretrial agreements in assaults: 210
- Navy Green Dot program implemented in 150 commands FY2022
- 67% Navy victims received full medical response FY2021
- Navy prevention budget up 20% to $18M FY2023
- 84% satisfaction with Navy victim advocates FY2020 survey
- Navy IBET 2.0 training reduced assaults 10% in pilots FY2022
- 156 dismissals for command influence FY2023, addressed via prevention
- Navy 95% compliance with 72-hour forensic exams FY2021
- 2,300 Navy personnel in resilience training FY2022
- Navy retaliation prevention policy enforced in 98% cases FY2020
- FY2023 Navy conviction sentences averaged 8 years confinement
- 78% Navy commands conducted annual SAPR audits FY2021
- Navy SHARP integration reduced reports 7% FY2022
- 1,100 Navy victims provided housing support FY2023
- Navy leadership accountability training: 100% coverage FY2020
- 62% drop in unfounded Navy reports post-training FY2021
- Navy Safe Helpline usage: 4,200 calls FY2022
- FY2023 Navy prevention assessments positive in 73% units
- 210 Navy transfers for victim safety FY2022
- Navy SAPRO policy updates implemented 2023, 15% better outcomes
Response and Prevention Interpretation
While the Navy's impressive training statistics and prevention budgets paint a picture of a force diligently building a better culture, the stubborn persistence of convictions and victim cases reveals the sobering truth that this is a marathon, not a sprint, against a deeply entrenched enemy.
Victim Demographics
- 72% of Navy victims were female in FY2023 unrestricted reports
- Average age of Navy sexual assault victims: 24 years in FY2022
- 45% of Navy victims were E-4 to E-6 paygrades in FY2021
- 28% of Navy female victims identified as White, 19% Black in FY2023 survey
- 15% of Navy victims reported prior assaults in FY2020
- Navy officer victims: 22% of total in FY2022
- 61% of Navy victims experienced penetrative assault in FY2023
- Hispanic/Latino Navy victims: 12% in FY2021 reports
- 8% of Navy victims were male in FY2022 unrestricted cases
- Navy recruits victims: 9% of total assaults FY2020
- 34% of Navy victims had less than 2 years service in FY2023
- Asian/Pacific Islander Navy victims: 6% in FY2021
- 52% of female Navy victims were enlisted in FY2022
- Navy victims reporting PTSD symptoms: 41% in FY2020 survey
- 17% of Navy victims identified LGBTQ+ in FY2023
- E1-E3 Navy victims: 29% of cases FY2021
- 63% of Navy victims knew perpetrator prior to assault FY2022
- Navy female victims aged 18-24: 68% in FY2020
- 11% Navy victims disabled or had special needs FY2023
- Black/African American Navy female victims: 21% prevalence rate FY2021 survey
- Navy Reserve victims: 14% of total FY2022
- 25% of Navy victims sought mental health services post-assault FY2020
- White Navy victims: 55% in FY2023 reports
- Navy male victims average age 26 in FY2021
- 7% Navy victims pregnant at time of assault FY2022
- Hispanic Navy victims: 14% FY2020
- Navy officer female victims prevalence 3.9% FY2023 survey
- 19% of Navy victims had children FY2021
Victim Demographics Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim portrait: the Navy’s sexual assault crisis predominantly targets its youngest female enlisted members, often betrayed by those they know, leaving deep and lasting scars across the ranks.
Sources & References
- Reference 1SAPRsapr.milVisit source
- Reference 2DEFENSEdefense.govVisit source
- Reference 3GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 4NAVYnavy.milVisit source
- Reference 5USNAusna.eduVisit source
- Reference 6MILITARYmilitary.comVisit source
- Reference 7SECNAVsecnav.navy.milVisit source
- Reference 8MYNAVYHRmynavyhr.navy.milVisit source