GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Assault Awareness Statistics

Most sexual violence victims are women, underreport, and lack support.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

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About 1 in 2 women who experience sexual violence suffer depression

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Childhood sexual abuse increases the likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence later in life, with affected individuals being twice as likely

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Women with a history of sexual violence are more likely to experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety, with rates exceeding 50% for these conditions

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Sexual violence costs the U.S. economy billions annually in healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs, estimated at around $127 billion a year

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A significant portion of sexual assault survivors experience difficulties obtaining support or justice, with over 60% feeling their concerns are not adequately addressed

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Nearly 60% of victims of sexual violence also experience other forms of intimate partner violence, such as emotional or physical abuse

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Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims know their perpetrator

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Over 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker

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The majority of perpetrators of sexual violence are male, accounting for over 90%

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A significant percentage of sexual offenses are committed by acquaintances or friends, accounting for approximately 60% of cases

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7 out of 10 women who are raped are raped by someone they know, such as a partner, friend, or family member

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Perpetrators are most often reported to be acquaintances rather than strangers, with estimates of up to 89% of cases involving someone known to the victim

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Nearly 90% of perpetrators of sexual assault are male, a figure consistent across various studies

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Approximately 95% of sexual assault perpetrators are male, highlighting gender disparities in offending patterns

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An estimated 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime

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Nearly 1 in 6 women in the United States has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape

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Approximately 54.1% of college women report experiencing unwanted sexual contact since entering college

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The average age of a victim of sexual assault is 17 years old

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Men account for approximately 10% of all sexual assault victims in the United States

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Female college students are twice as likely as male students to experience sexual assault

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A majority of sexual assault victims are under the age of 30

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Among college students, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault during their college years

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The majority of college sexual assaults occur during September, October, and September, correlating with higher campus activity

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1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at some point in their childhood

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Women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence as women without disabilities

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Approximately 50% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18

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In the U.S., a woman is assaulted every 73 seconds

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About 15% of sexual assault victims are male, though this may be underreported

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College women are twice as likely to experience sexual assault during their college career, compared to their non-college peers

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The most common form of sexual assault reported is unwanted contact or fondling, comprising approximately 74% of cases

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The rate of sexual assault among incarcerated women is significantly higher than among non-incarcerated women, estimated at roughly 20%

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Approximately 34% of women in the U.S. have experienced contact sexual violence in their lifetime

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About 1 in 25 adult women has been raped at some point in their lifetime

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Service members and veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual assault, with an estimated 1 in 18 women and 1 in 100 men in the military having experienced sexual assault during their service

Statistic 35

In survey studies, 1 in 5 women reported experiencing forms of sexual violence, including rape, during their lifetime

Statistic 36

Men over 60 are less likely to report sexual assault, but when they do, the incidents tend to involve older perpetrators or institutional settings

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During college years, the risk of sexual assault is highest during the first few weeks of the academic year, correlating with increased social activities

Statistic 38

Approximately 7% of university students are reported to have experienced campus sexual assault in a given year

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LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk for sexual violence victimization compared to heterosexual individuals, with LGBTQ+ women being particularly vulnerable

Statistic 40

About 22% of college women have been forced to have sex against their will during some period of their college years

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Poor school awareness programs can lead to lower recognition and reporting of sexual abuse; schools that implement comprehensive programs see increased reporting and prevention

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Only 39% of victims of sexual violence report it to the police

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Failure to report sexual assault can be attributed to multiple barriers including shame, fear of not being believed, and lack of trust in authorities, with over 70% citing fear as a primary reason

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Only about 30% of sexual assault victims seek medical attention afterwards

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Nearly 70% of women who experience sexual violence do not report it to authorities, citing shame or fear as primary reasons

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About 80% of sexual assault cases are not reported to the police

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Less than 10% of rape cases known to the police are eventually prosecuted

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Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims do not report their assault because they fear disbelief or judgment

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Approximately 80% of college sexual assault victims do not report the assault to law enforcement, due to fear, shame, or lack of trust

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The legal age of consent varies by country and state, impacting reporting and prosecution of sexual assault cases, with a common threshold being 16 to 18 years old

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Survivor-centered approaches increase reporting rates and help-seeking behaviors among victims of sexual violence, illustrating the importance of supportive environments

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Key Highlights

  • An estimated 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
  • Nearly 1 in 6 women in the United States has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape
  • Only 39% of victims of sexual violence report it to the police
  • About 80% of sexual assault cases are not reported to the police
  • Approximately 54.1% of college women report experiencing unwanted sexual contact since entering college
  • The average age of a victim of sexual assault is 17 years old
  • Men account for approximately 10% of all sexual assault victims in the United States
  • Female college students are twice as likely as male students to experience sexual assault
  • About 1 in 2 women who experience sexual violence suffer depression
  • Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims know their perpetrator
  • A majority of sexual assault victims are under the age of 30
  • Less than 10% of rape cases known to the police are eventually prosecuted
  • Over 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker

Every 73 seconds, a woman in the United States faces sexual assault, revealing a hidden epidemic that demands urgent awareness, intervention, and systemic change.

Impact on Victims and Psychological Consequences

  • About 1 in 2 women who experience sexual violence suffer depression
  • Childhood sexual abuse increases the likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence later in life, with affected individuals being twice as likely
  • Women with a history of sexual violence are more likely to experience PTSD, depression, and anxiety, with rates exceeding 50% for these conditions
  • Sexual violence costs the U.S. economy billions annually in healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs, estimated at around $127 billion a year
  • A significant portion of sexual assault survivors experience difficulties obtaining support or justice, with over 60% feeling their concerns are not adequately addressed
  • Nearly 60% of victims of sexual violence also experience other forms of intimate partner violence, such as emotional or physical abuse

Impact on Victims and Psychological Consequences Interpretation

These statistics paint a stark portrait of sexual violence as both a personal battleground and an economic burden, highlighting that over half of women affected grapple with mental health issues, a history of childhood abuse doubles their risk of future violence, and a pervasive justice gap leaves many survivors unheard—and all of this costs the U.S. an estimated $127 billion annually.

Perpetrators and Offender Profiles

  • Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims know their perpetrator
  • Over 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
  • The majority of perpetrators of sexual violence are male, accounting for over 90%
  • A significant percentage of sexual offenses are committed by acquaintances or friends, accounting for approximately 60% of cases
  • 7 out of 10 women who are raped are raped by someone they know, such as a partner, friend, or family member
  • Perpetrators are most often reported to be acquaintances rather than strangers, with estimates of up to 89% of cases involving someone known to the victim
  • Nearly 90% of perpetrators of sexual assault are male, a figure consistent across various studies
  • Approximately 95% of sexual assault perpetrators are male, highlighting gender disparities in offending patterns

Perpetrators and Offender Profiles Interpretation

These stark statistics reveal that sexual violence is predominantly a crime of familiarity and gendered power, underscoring the urgent need to rethink trust, safety, and accountability within personal relationships.

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Violence

  • An estimated 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
  • Nearly 1 in 6 women in the United States has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape
  • Approximately 54.1% of college women report experiencing unwanted sexual contact since entering college
  • The average age of a victim of sexual assault is 17 years old
  • Men account for approximately 10% of all sexual assault victims in the United States
  • Female college students are twice as likely as male students to experience sexual assault
  • A majority of sexual assault victims are under the age of 30
  • Among college students, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault during their college years
  • The majority of college sexual assaults occur during September, October, and September, correlating with higher campus activity
  • 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at some point in their childhood
  • Women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence as women without disabilities
  • Approximately 50% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18
  • In the U.S., a woman is assaulted every 73 seconds
  • About 15% of sexual assault victims are male, though this may be underreported
  • College women are twice as likely to experience sexual assault during their college career, compared to their non-college peers
  • The most common form of sexual assault reported is unwanted contact or fondling, comprising approximately 74% of cases
  • The rate of sexual assault among incarcerated women is significantly higher than among non-incarcerated women, estimated at roughly 20%
  • Approximately 34% of women in the U.S. have experienced contact sexual violence in their lifetime
  • About 1 in 25 adult women has been raped at some point in their lifetime
  • Service members and veterans are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual assault, with an estimated 1 in 18 women and 1 in 100 men in the military having experienced sexual assault during their service
  • In survey studies, 1 in 5 women reported experiencing forms of sexual violence, including rape, during their lifetime
  • Men over 60 are less likely to report sexual assault, but when they do, the incidents tend to involve older perpetrators or institutional settings
  • During college years, the risk of sexual assault is highest during the first few weeks of the academic year, correlating with increased social activities
  • Approximately 7% of university students are reported to have experienced campus sexual assault in a given year
  • LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk for sexual violence victimization compared to heterosexual individuals, with LGBTQ+ women being particularly vulnerable
  • About 22% of college women have been forced to have sex against their will during some period of their college years

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Violence Interpretation

Despite increased awareness and preventative efforts, the staggering statistics reveal that sexual violence continues to disproportionately impact the young, vulnerable, and marginalized—highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive action rather than complacency.

Prevention, Education, and Societal Responses

  • Poor school awareness programs can lead to lower recognition and reporting of sexual abuse; schools that implement comprehensive programs see increased reporting and prevention

Prevention, Education, and Societal Responses Interpretation

Effective school sexual assault awareness programs don't just educate—they empower students to recognize and report abuse, transforming silence into prevention and safety.

Reporting

  • Only 39% of victims of sexual violence report it to the police
  • Failure to report sexual assault can be attributed to multiple barriers including shame, fear of not being believed, and lack of trust in authorities, with over 70% citing fear as a primary reason

Reporting Interpretation

The staggering statistic that only 39% of sexual assault victims report their experiences—and that over 70% cite fear as the primary barrier—reminds us that changing societal attitudes and building trust are critical steps toward ensuring survivors are heard and protected.

Reporting Rates

  • Only about 30% of sexual assault victims seek medical attention afterwards
  • Nearly 70% of women who experience sexual violence do not report it to authorities, citing shame or fear as primary reasons

Reporting Rates Interpretation

These startling figures underscore that while the silence around sexual assault persists, it’s ultimately a crime whose true prevalence remains painfully underestimated, calling for a cultural shift that empowers victims to speak out without shame.

Reporting rates

  • About 80% of sexual assault cases are not reported to the police

Reporting rates Interpretation

The staggering statistic that nearly 80% of sexual assault cases go unreported underscores the urgent need to dismantle barriers to justice and foster a safer environment where survivors feel empowered to come forward.

Reporting, Reporting Rates, and Legal Aspects

  • Less than 10% of rape cases known to the police are eventually prosecuted
  • Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims do not report their assault because they fear disbelief or judgment
  • Approximately 80% of college sexual assault victims do not report the assault to law enforcement, due to fear, shame, or lack of trust
  • The legal age of consent varies by country and state, impacting reporting and prosecution of sexual assault cases, with a common threshold being 16 to 18 years old
  • Survivor-centered approaches increase reporting rates and help-seeking behaviors among victims of sexual violence, illustrating the importance of supportive environments

Reporting, Reporting Rates, and Legal Aspects Interpretation

These statistics reveal that despite the grim reality that less than 10% of known rape cases lead to prosecution and a staggering majority of survivors remain silent out of fear and shame, fostering survivor-centered environments is crucial to transforming the legal landscape and ensuring justice and support for all victims.