GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sex Abuse Statistics

Sexual abuse is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of all ages.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Survivors of child sexual abuse are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression

Statistic 2

80% of child sexual abuse survivors suffer PTSD symptoms

Statistic 3

Victims are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide

Statistic 4

70% develop substance abuse disorders

Statistic 5

Sexual abuse doubles risk of obesity in adulthood

Statistic 6

50% report chronic pain issues

Statistic 7

Victims are 2.5 times more likely to have heart disease

Statistic 8

65% experience revictimization in adulthood

Statistic 9

Child sexual abuse linked to 30% higher cancer risk

Statistic 10

40% develop dissociative disorders

Statistic 11

Victims have 25% higher healthcare costs lifetime

Statistic 12

55% suffer from anxiety disorders

Statistic 13

Sexual abuse increases diabetes risk by 50%

Statistic 14

30% develop eating disorders

Statistic 15

Victims are 3 times more likely to self-harm

Statistic 16

75% report sexual dysfunction in adulthood

Statistic 17

Linked to 40% increase in autoimmune diseases

Statistic 18

60% experience sleep disorders lifelong

Statistic 19

Doubles risk of teen pregnancy

Statistic 20

35% higher mortality rate by age 50

Statistic 21

Victims 4 times more likely to prostitute

Statistic 22

50% increased risk of homelessness

Statistic 23

Linked to 20% higher stroke risk

Statistic 24

45% develop borderline personality disorder traits

Statistic 25

Child victims miss 2.5 times more school days

Statistic 26

70% report trust issues in relationships

Statistic 27

Increases schizophrenia risk by 2.8 times

Statistic 28

55% have gastrointestinal disorders

Statistic 29

Victims 3.2 times more likely to abuse children themselves

Statistic 30

45% of perpetrators are acquainted with the child outside the family

Statistic 31

34.2% of perpetrators are family members

Statistic 32

93% of sex offenders against children deny their crimes

Statistic 33

Average child molester has 117 victims

Statistic 34

50% of rapists are under 30 years old

Statistic 35

90% of child sexual abuse perpetrators are male

Statistic 36

Clergy offenders average 109 victims over career

Statistic 37

40% of perpetrators are white-collar professionals

Statistic 38

Family members perpetrate 30-50% of child sexual abuse

Statistic 39

25% of perpetrators are other relatives

Statistic 40

Online predators are 99% male

Statistic 41

60% of perpetrators have prior convictions for other crimes

Statistic 42

Teachers perpetrate 10% of school-based abuse

Statistic 43

70% of perpetrators are known to the victim for over a year

Statistic 44

Female perpetrators account for 10-20% of child sexual abuse

Statistic 45

42% of rapists are serial offenders

Statistic 46

Institutional perpetrators often have access via employment

Statistic 47

80% of perpetrators exhibit grooming behaviors

Statistic 48

Perpetrators against boys are 50% family, 33% acquaintances

Statistic 49

35% of perpetrators are aged 18-29

Statistic 50

Repeat offenders average 150 victims

Statistic 51

55% of perpetrators have substance abuse issues

Statistic 52

Coaches perpetrate 7% of sports-related abuse

Statistic 53

65% of perpetrators deny abuse even when confronted

Statistic 54

Gang rape perpetrators are often peers of victims

Statistic 55

20% of perpetrators are juveniles themselves

Statistic 56

Prison staff perpetrate 7% of inmate sexual abuse

Statistic 57

In the United States, approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 4 men experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime

Statistic 58

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

Statistic 59

In 2022, there were 463,634 validated cases of child maltreatment in the US, with 8.1% being sexual abuse

Statistic 60

91% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know

Statistic 61

In England and Wales, police recorded 68,000 child sexual abuse offences in the year ending March 2023

Statistic 62

42% of female rape victims were first raped before age 18

Statistic 63

In Australia, 1 in 6 women experienced sexual violence since age 15

Statistic 64

1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault

Statistic 65

In India, 53% of children reported sexual abuse in a 2007 study

Statistic 66

Lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse among US females is 24.7%

Statistic 67

In South Africa, 35.4% of men reported raping a woman or girl

Statistic 68

In the EU, 1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse

Statistic 69

US child protective services received 3.5 million referrals involving 6.4 million children in 2021, with sexual abuse at 8.4%

Statistic 70

In Canada, 25% of women and 10% of men reported childhood sexual abuse

Statistic 71

In Brazil, 66% of women reported some form of sexual violence

Statistic 72

In the UK, 7.5% of adults reported child sexual abuse

Statistic 73

In Germany, 12.4% of women and 5.4% of men experienced child sexual abuse

Statistic 74

In New Zealand, 34% of women reported sexual abuse before 16

Statistic 75

In Sweden, 22% of girls and 6% of boys experienced sexual abuse

Statistic 76

In Mexico, 22% of children reported sexual abuse

Statistic 77

In the US, 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker

Statistic 78

Worldwide, girls are twice as likely as boys to experience sexual violence

Statistic 79

In the Philippines, 15% of children aged 10-18 reported sexual abuse

Statistic 80

In Kenya, 32% of girls and 18% of boys experienced sexual violence

Statistic 81

In the US, 67% of conference attendees at child maltreatment symposiums were victims of child sexual abuse

Statistic 82

In France, 8% of women and 3% of men reported child sexual abuse

Statistic 83

In Japan, 0.5% lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse reported in surveys

Statistic 84

In Russia, 20% of children face sexual violence annually

Statistic 85

In Turkey, 9.5% of girls and 4.3% of boys experienced sexual abuse

Statistic 86

In the US, 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before 18

Statistic 87

Only 31% of sexual assaults are reported to police

Statistic 88

Of reported cases, 5% lead to arrest, 2% to conviction

Statistic 89

2,780 child sexual abuse reports daily in US, but only 12% substantiated

Statistic 90

60% of victims never report to authorities

Statistic 91

Average sentence for child rape is 13 years

Statistic 92

94% of child abuse cases not prosecuted

Statistic 93

In UK, 1 in 8 child sexual abuse cases lead to conviction

Statistic 94

False reporting rate for sexual assault is 2-10%

Statistic 95

70% of reports come from third parties

Statistic 96

Recidivism rate for sex offenders is 14% within 5 years

Statistic 97

Only 25% of adult victims report to police

Statistic 98

Child advocacy centers increase reporting by 36%

Statistic 99

40 states have no statute for prosecuting non-offending parents

Statistic 100

Average time to report child abuse is 21 years later

Statistic 101

58% of cases dropped before trial

Statistic 102

Sex offender registration reduces recidivism by 12%

Statistic 103

Mandatory reporting laws cover 18 occupations in most states

Statistic 104

80% of convictions rely on victim testimony alone

Statistic 105

Plea bargains used in 90% of sexual assault prosecutions

Statistic 106

Victim satisfaction with justice system is 30%

Statistic 107

15% of reports result in incarceration

Statistic 108

International extradition for sex crimes succeeds in 20% cases

Statistic 109

Cyber sex crime reports increased 360% from 2014-2019

Statistic 110

Restorative justice programs reduce recidivism by 26%

Statistic 111

67% of child victims recant under pressure

Statistic 112

Federal conviction rate for child porn is 99%

Statistic 113

Only 3% of rapists serve full sentences

Statistic 114

Females aged 16-19 are 4 times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault than the general population

Statistic 115

82% of child sexual abuse survivors are female

Statistic 116

Children under 12 account for 66% of child sexual abuse victims reported to law enforcement

Statistic 117

34% of child sexual abuse victims are aged 7-12

Statistic 118

Indigenous women in Canada are 3 times more likely to experience sexual assault

Statistic 119

LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than peers

Statistic 120

Disabled children are 3 times more likely to be abused

Statistic 121

90% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone in the household or family

Statistic 122

African American children are reported for maltreatment at higher rates despite similar abuse levels

Statistic 123

50% of transgender individuals report sexual assault

Statistic 124

Girls aged 12-17 are 3 times more likely to be victims than boys

Statistic 125

70% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by family members

Statistic 126

College women are 3 times more likely to experience sexual violence than peers

Statistic 127

96% of child sexual abuse occurs in the home

Statistic 128

Rural children face 1.5 times higher risk of sexual abuse

Statistic 129

Foster care children are 10 times more likely to be sexually abused

Statistic 130

60% of victims are abused before age 12

Statistic 131

Hispanic females report higher rates of intimate partner sexual violence

Statistic 132

Elderly women over 60 experience sexual abuse at rates similar to younger women

Statistic 133

Military women face 12% prevalence of sexual trauma

Statistic 134

Homeless youth are 3.5 times more likely to be sexually victimized

Statistic 135

40% of female victims are abused by an intimate partner

Statistic 136

Asian American women report lowest disclosure rates of sexual abuse

Statistic 137

Children with behavioral issues are 2 times more likely victims

Statistic 138

28% of youth sexual assault victims are male

Statistic 139

Prisoners report 4.7% sexual victimization rate annually

Statistic 140

73% of child sexual abuse occurs in one-on-one settings

Statistic 141

Native American women have lifetime sexual violence rate of 56%

Statistic 142

85% of child sexual abuse victims are girls under 18

1/142

Sources

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Beneath the staggering global reality that one in six women and one in four men will face attempted or completed rape in their lifetime lies a crisis of silence, complicity, and devastating generational harm that our blog post will unpack through harrowing statistics and a clarion call for change.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 4 men experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime
Globally, 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts
In 2022, there were 463,634 validated cases of child maltreatment in the US, with 8.1% being sexual abuse
Females aged 16-19 are 4 times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault than the general population
82% of child sexual abuse survivors are female
Children under 12 account for 66% of child sexual abuse victims reported to law enforcement
45% of perpetrators are acquainted with the child outside the family
34.2% of perpetrators are family members
93% of sex offenders against children deny their crimes
Survivors of child sexual abuse are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression
80% of child sexual abuse survivors suffer PTSD symptoms
Victims are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide
Only 31% of sexual assaults are reported to police
Of reported cases, 5% lead to arrest, 2% to conviction
2,780 child sexual abuse reports daily in US, but only 12% substantiated

Sexual abuse is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of all ages.

Health and Psychological Impacts

Survivors of child sexual abuse are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression
80% of child sexual abuse survivors suffer PTSD symptoms
Victims are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide
70% develop substance abuse disorders
Sexual abuse doubles risk of obesity in adulthood
50% report chronic pain issues
Victims are 2.5 times more likely to have heart disease
65% experience revictimization in adulthood
Child sexual abuse linked to 30% higher cancer risk
40% develop dissociative disorders
Victims have 25% higher healthcare costs lifetime
55% suffer from anxiety disorders
Sexual abuse increases diabetes risk by 50%
30% develop eating disorders
Victims are 3 times more likely to self-harm
75% report sexual dysfunction in adulthood
Linked to 40% increase in autoimmune diseases
60% experience sleep disorders lifelong
Doubles risk of teen pregnancy
35% higher mortality rate by age 50
Victims 4 times more likely to prostitute
50% increased risk of homelessness
Linked to 20% higher stroke risk
45% develop borderline personality disorder traits
Child victims miss 2.5 times more school days
70% report trust issues in relationships
Increases schizophrenia risk by 2.8 times
55% have gastrointestinal disorders
Victims 3.2 times more likely to abuse children themselves

Health and Psychological Impacts Interpretation

This horrifying cascade of statistics paints child sexual abuse not as a single trauma, but as a lifelong, full-body assault that hijacks a survivor's mind, health, and future, proving the crime's poison spreads far beyond the moment it occurs.

Perpetrator Characteristics

45% of perpetrators are acquainted with the child outside the family
34.2% of perpetrators are family members
93% of sex offenders against children deny their crimes
Average child molester has 117 victims
50% of rapists are under 30 years old
90% of child sexual abuse perpetrators are male
Clergy offenders average 109 victims over career
40% of perpetrators are white-collar professionals
Family members perpetrate 30-50% of child sexual abuse
25% of perpetrators are other relatives
Online predators are 99% male
60% of perpetrators have prior convictions for other crimes
Teachers perpetrate 10% of school-based abuse
70% of perpetrators are known to the victim for over a year
Female perpetrators account for 10-20% of child sexual abuse
42% of rapists are serial offenders
Institutional perpetrators often have access via employment
80% of perpetrators exhibit grooming behaviors
Perpetrators against boys are 50% family, 33% acquaintances
35% of perpetrators are aged 18-29
Repeat offenders average 150 victims
55% of perpetrators have substance abuse issues
Coaches perpetrate 7% of sports-related abuse
65% of perpetrators deny abuse even when confronted
Gang rape perpetrators are often peers of victims
20% of perpetrators are juveniles themselves
Prison staff perpetrate 7% of inmate sexual abuse

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

The chilling reality is that the monster under the bed is a statistical anomaly, while the far greater danger is the familiar face in the kitchen, the classroom, or the pew, methodically building trust to exploit it.

Prevalence and Incidence

In the United States, approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 4 men experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime
Globally, 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts
In 2022, there were 463,634 validated cases of child maltreatment in the US, with 8.1% being sexual abuse
91% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know
In England and Wales, police recorded 68,000 child sexual abuse offences in the year ending March 2023
42% of female rape victims were first raped before age 18
In Australia, 1 in 6 women experienced sexual violence since age 15
1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault
In India, 53% of children reported sexual abuse in a 2007 study
Lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse among US females is 24.7%
In South Africa, 35.4% of men reported raping a woman or girl
In the EU, 1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse
US child protective services received 3.5 million referrals involving 6.4 million children in 2021, with sexual abuse at 8.4%
In Canada, 25% of women and 10% of men reported childhood sexual abuse
In Brazil, 66% of women reported some form of sexual violence
In the UK, 7.5% of adults reported child sexual abuse
In Germany, 12.4% of women and 5.4% of men experienced child sexual abuse
In New Zealand, 34% of women reported sexual abuse before 16
In Sweden, 22% of girls and 6% of boys experienced sexual abuse
In Mexico, 22% of children reported sexual abuse
In the US, 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
Worldwide, girls are twice as likely as boys to experience sexual violence
In the Philippines, 15% of children aged 10-18 reported sexual abuse
In Kenya, 32% of girls and 18% of boys experienced sexual violence
In the US, 67% of conference attendees at child maltreatment symposiums were victims of child sexual abuse
In France, 8% of women and 3% of men reported child sexual abuse
In Japan, 0.5% lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse reported in surveys
In Russia, 20% of children face sexual violence annually
In Turkey, 9.5% of girls and 4.3% of boys experienced sexual abuse
In the US, 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before 18

Prevalence and Incidence Interpretation

This horrifying global chorus of data makes it tragically clear that childhood should be a sanctuary, not a statistically likely crime scene.

Reporting and Legal Outcomes

Only 31% of sexual assaults are reported to police
Of reported cases, 5% lead to arrest, 2% to conviction
2,780 child sexual abuse reports daily in US, but only 12% substantiated
60% of victims never report to authorities
Average sentence for child rape is 13 years
94% of child abuse cases not prosecuted
In UK, 1 in 8 child sexual abuse cases lead to conviction
False reporting rate for sexual assault is 2-10%
70% of reports come from third parties
Recidivism rate for sex offenders is 14% within 5 years
Only 25% of adult victims report to police
Child advocacy centers increase reporting by 36%
40 states have no statute for prosecuting non-offending parents
Average time to report child abuse is 21 years later
58% of cases dropped before trial
Sex offender registration reduces recidivism by 12%
Mandatory reporting laws cover 18 occupations in most states
80% of convictions rely on victim testimony alone
Plea bargains used in 90% of sexual assault prosecutions
Victim satisfaction with justice system is 30%
15% of reports result in incarceration
International extradition for sex crimes succeeds in 20% cases
Cyber sex crime reports increased 360% from 2014-2019
Restorative justice programs reduce recidivism by 26%
67% of child victims recant under pressure
Federal conviction rate for child porn is 99%
Only 3% of rapists serve full sentences

Reporting and Legal Outcomes Interpretation

The criminal justice system's labyrinthine journey from violation to verdict resembles a cruel sieve that is designed to catch headlines, not justice, as victims navigate a gauntlet of disbelief, delay, and dismal odds where reporting is a traumatic act of faith more likely to yield a plea bargain than a prison sentence.

Victim Characteristics

Females aged 16-19 are 4 times more likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault than the general population
82% of child sexual abuse survivors are female
Children under 12 account for 66% of child sexual abuse victims reported to law enforcement
34% of child sexual abuse victims are aged 7-12
Indigenous women in Canada are 3 times more likely to experience sexual assault
LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than peers
Disabled children are 3 times more likely to be abused
90% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone in the household or family
African American children are reported for maltreatment at higher rates despite similar abuse levels
50% of transgender individuals report sexual assault
Girls aged 12-17 are 3 times more likely to be victims than boys
70% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by family members
College women are 3 times more likely to experience sexual violence than peers
96% of child sexual abuse occurs in the home
Rural children face 1.5 times higher risk of sexual abuse
Foster care children are 10 times more likely to be sexually abused
60% of victims are abused before age 12
Hispanic females report higher rates of intimate partner sexual violence
Elderly women over 60 experience sexual abuse at rates similar to younger women
Military women face 12% prevalence of sexual trauma
Homeless youth are 3.5 times more likely to be sexually victimized
40% of female victims are abused by an intimate partner
Asian American women report lowest disclosure rates of sexual abuse
Children with behavioral issues are 2 times more likely victims
28% of youth sexual assault victims are male
Prisoners report 4.7% sexual victimization rate annually
73% of child sexual abuse occurs in one-on-one settings
Native American women have lifetime sexual violence rate of 56%
85% of child sexual abuse victims are girls under 18

Victim Characteristics Interpretation

These statistics paint a harrowing map of predation, revealing that the most vulnerable among us—children in their own homes, marginalized youth, and isolated women—are systematically targeted, proving that sexual violence is less about random stranger-danger and far more about the calculated exploitation of trust and power imbalances.

Sources & References

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