GITNUXREPORT 2025

Reported Sexual Assault Statistics

Sexual assault victims often remain silent, with significant underreporting and trauma.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The economic cost of sexual assault in the U.S. is estimated at over $127 billion annually

Statistic 2

About 50% of sexual assault victims have suffered from economic consequences like loss of productivity or medical expenses

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Nearly 63% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim

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The majority of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator or victim

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The high-risk periods for sexual assault include summer months and university holiday breaks

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The majority of sexual assaults occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

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Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims know their attacker, often a friend or intimate partner

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A significant percentage of sexual assault perpetrators are repeat offenders; estimates suggest 39%

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In the U.S., about 77% of sexual assault incidents occur at or near the victim's home or the home of someone they know

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Approximately 1 in 3 female victims and 1 in 6 male victims have experienced sexual violence involving contact

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An estimated 87% of victims of sexual assault are females

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In the United States, 80% of women and 35% of men who are raped or sexually assaulted are under the age of 30

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About 81% of female victims and 35% of male victims experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18

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In the U.S., around 1 in 6 women have been sexually assaulted during their lifetime

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only about 2% of perpetrators of sexual violence in the military are convicted

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Nearly 40% of sexual assault victims do not disclose their assault to anyone

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Sexual assault accounts for approximately 25% of all violent crimes against women globally

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In data from the UK, 10% of women and 4% of men report being sexually assaulted since age 16

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Nearly 60% of college women who are sexually assaulted do not report to authorities

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The rate of sexual assault among transgender individuals is significantly higher, with approximately 47% of transgender women experiencing sexual violence

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About 85% of sexual assault victims experience some form of physical injury

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Less than 10% of sexual assault cases involve the use of weapons

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In Europe, about 45% of women report experiencing sexual harassment or assault after the age of 15

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Women aged 16-24 are at the highest risk of sexual assault, accounting for nearly 44% of victims

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In the US, Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence compared to the national average

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The majority of sexual harassment victims in workplaces are women aged 25-54

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Children aged 0-17 represent about 15-20% of reported sexual abuse cases

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Sexual violence against women is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, representing over 70% of global incidents

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The percentage of sexual assaults involving drug-facilitated incidents is roughly 15-20%

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About 10% of LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing sexual violence, often facing additional barriers to reporting

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Sexual assault rates in prisons are significantly higher than in the general population, with estimates around 4-12% for inmates

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One in five female students in college report experiencing some form of sexual assault during their academic career

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Only about 23% of sexual assault cases are reported to the police

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Only 13% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement

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The median time elapsed before reporting sexual assault is approximately 13.4 years

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Research indicates that victims of sexual assault who are under the influence of alcohol are less likely to report the incident

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The likelihood of reporting sexual assault decreases with increased severity of injury, according to studies

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The average duration between assault and reporting among victims is over a decade in many cases, statistically around 13 years

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Approximately 50% of sexual assault victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder

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About 73% of women who experienced sexual violence reported feeling fear during the incident

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Only around 12% of sexual assault survivors seek counseling or mental health services

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Only 30% of sexual assault victims receive medical attention within 72 hours after the incident

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Among sexual assault survivors, approximately 40% experience depression or anxiety afterward

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 3 female victims and 1 in 6 male victims have experienced sexual violence involving contact
An estimated 87% of victims of sexual assault are females
Only about 23% of sexual assault cases are reported to the police
Nearly 63% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim
In the United States, 80% of women and 35% of men who are raped or sexually assaulted are under the age of 30
Approximately 50% of sexual assault victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
Only 13% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement
About 81% of female victims and 35% of male victims experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18
The median time elapsed before reporting sexual assault is approximately 13.4 years
In the U.S., around 1 in 6 women have been sexually assaulted during their lifetime
The majority of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator or victim
only about 2% of perpetrators of sexual violence in the military are convicted
The high-risk periods for sexual assault include summer months and university holiday breaks

Despite widespread awareness, shocking statistics reveal that only a fraction of sexual assaults are reported, leaving victims silenced and highlights the urgent need for systemic change to address the pervasive and often hidden epidemic of sexual violence.

Economic and Societal Costs

The economic cost of sexual assault in the U.S. is estimated at over $127 billion annually
About 50% of sexual assault victims have suffered from economic consequences like loss of productivity or medical expenses

Economic and Societal Costs Interpretation

With a staggering $127 billion price tag annually and half of victims bearing the economic scars alongside their physical and emotional wounds, it's clear that sexual assault isn't just a personal tragedy—it's an economic crisis demanding urgent attention.

Perpetrators and Situational Factors

Nearly 63% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim
The majority of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator or victim
The high-risk periods for sexual assault include summer months and university holiday breaks
The majority of sexual assaults occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims know their attacker, often a friend or intimate partner
A significant percentage of sexual assault perpetrators are repeat offenders; estimates suggest 39%
In the U.S., about 77% of sexual assault incidents occur at or near the victim's home or the home of someone they know

Perpetrators and Situational Factors Interpretation

These chilling statistics underscore that sexual assault is often a betrayal of trust occurring in familiar spaces, exacerbated by alcohol and recurrence among perpetrators, reminding us that vigilance and accountability must extend beyond the stranger in the dark.

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Assault

Approximately 1 in 3 female victims and 1 in 6 male victims have experienced sexual violence involving contact
An estimated 87% of victims of sexual assault are females
In the United States, 80% of women and 35% of men who are raped or sexually assaulted are under the age of 30
About 81% of female victims and 35% of male victims experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18
In the U.S., around 1 in 6 women have been sexually assaulted during their lifetime
only about 2% of perpetrators of sexual violence in the military are convicted
Nearly 40% of sexual assault victims do not disclose their assault to anyone
Sexual assault accounts for approximately 25% of all violent crimes against women globally
In data from the UK, 10% of women and 4% of men report being sexually assaulted since age 16
Nearly 60% of college women who are sexually assaulted do not report to authorities
The rate of sexual assault among transgender individuals is significantly higher, with approximately 47% of transgender women experiencing sexual violence
About 85% of sexual assault victims experience some form of physical injury
Less than 10% of sexual assault cases involve the use of weapons
In Europe, about 45% of women report experiencing sexual harassment or assault after the age of 15
Women aged 16-24 are at the highest risk of sexual assault, accounting for nearly 44% of victims
In the US, Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence compared to the national average
The majority of sexual harassment victims in workplaces are women aged 25-54
Children aged 0-17 represent about 15-20% of reported sexual abuse cases
Sexual violence against women is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, representing over 70% of global incidents
The percentage of sexual assaults involving drug-facilitated incidents is roughly 15-20%
About 10% of LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing sexual violence, often facing additional barriers to reporting
Sexual assault rates in prisons are significantly higher than in the general population, with estimates around 4-12% for inmates
One in five female students in college report experiencing some form of sexual assault during their academic career

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Assault Interpretation

With statistics revealing that nearly one in three women and one in six men face sexual violence—primarily before age 30, often unreported, and disproportionately affecting marginalized groups—the data underscores an urgent need for society to confront not only the staggering prevalence but also the systemic failures that allow this crisis to persist in silence.

Reporting and Legal Proceedings

Only about 23% of sexual assault cases are reported to the police
Only 13% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement
The median time elapsed before reporting sexual assault is approximately 13.4 years
Research indicates that victims of sexual assault who are under the influence of alcohol are less likely to report the incident
The likelihood of reporting sexual assault decreases with increased severity of injury, according to studies
The average duration between assault and reporting among victims is over a decade in many cases, statistically around 13 years

Reporting and Legal Proceedings Interpretation

These alarming statistics reveal that sexual assault often remains invisible in the public eye, with victims enduring silent suffering for over a decade, especially when alcohol or injury diminish their likelihood to report—highlighting a critical need to dismantle barriers to justice and foster a culture where survivors feel empowered to come forward.

Victim Impact and Support

Approximately 50% of sexual assault victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
About 73% of women who experienced sexual violence reported feeling fear during the incident
Only around 12% of sexual assault survivors seek counseling or mental health services
Only 30% of sexual assault victims receive medical attention within 72 hours after the incident
Among sexual assault survivors, approximately 40% experience depression or anxiety afterward

Victim Impact and Support Interpretation

Despite the alarming prevalence and profound psychological impact of sexual assault, the disheartening gaps in timely medical and mental health support reveal a critical need for societal change to prioritize survivor care and healing.