GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sexual Assault In Schools Statistics

Alarmingly high rates of sexual assault occur within U.S. schools, harming students for life.

Rajesh Patel

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

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Only 10% of school assaults are reported to police

Statistic 2

93% of student victims do not report to authorities

Statistic 3

Schools dismiss 70% of complaints without investigation

Statistic 4

Title IX complaints rose 300% from 2011-2021

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Only 25% of schools have sexual assault response protocols

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60% of reports result in no disciplinary action

Statistic 7

Training for staff covers only 40% of schools adequately

Statistic 8

False reporting claims in 8% of cases, but 92% valid

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Expulsions for perpetrators: under 5%

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Hotline usage: only 12% of victims call school lines

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50% of schools fail Title IX audits

Statistic 12

Parent notifications delayed in 65% cases

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Counseling offered post-assault: 35% of victims

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75% underreporting due to fear of retaliation

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Policy violations lead to lawsuits in 20% schools yearly

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Anonymous reporting systems in 28% schools only

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Staff training annual: 45% compliance

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Victim relocation: rare, 3% of cases

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Federal funding cuts reduced programs by 15%

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82% of victims distrust school handling

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Only 16% prosecutions from school reports

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55% of schools PTSD untreated in victims

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70% of victims develop depression lasting 5+ years

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Suicide attempt rate 4x higher (22% vs 5%)

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40% academic performance drop post-assault

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Substance abuse risk increases 3x (30%)

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50% higher dropout rates (25% vs 5%)

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PTSD prevalence 45% one year later

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Relationship dysfunction in 60% adulthood

Statistic 30

Economic loss: $1.2M lifetime per victim

Statistic 31

Revictimization rate 35% within 2 years

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Anxiety disorders 55%

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28% criminal involvement as adults

Statistic 34

Health costs $124B annually from child sexual abuse

Statistic 35

65% trust issues persisting 10 years

Statistic 36

Obesity risk 2x higher (40%)

Statistic 37

Homelessness 15% among survivors

Statistic 38

Fertility issues 20% in female survivors

Statistic 39

42% unemployment rate higher

Statistic 40

Chronic pain syndromes 35%

Statistic 41

75% require therapy lifelong

Statistic 42

Social isolation 50%

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32% intergenerational transmission risk

Statistic 44

70% of male perpetrators are students aged 12-18

Statistic 45

25% of school assaults by teachers/staff

Statistic 46

Repeat offenders comprise 40% of student perpetrators

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85% of perpetrators are male in school settings

Statistic 48

Coaches perpetrate 12% of assaults in high schools

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60% of perpetrators have prior disciplinary records

Statistic 50

Family members of staff: 8% involvement

Statistic 51

35% of perpetrators are 18 or older in K-12

Statistic 52

Gang-affiliated students: 22% of perpetrators

Statistic 53

45% of teacher perpetrators are male aged 30-50

Statistic 54

Online predators targeting schools: 15% of cases

Statistic 55

52% of perpetrators from same racial background as victim

Statistic 56

Bus drivers/aides: 5% of non-student perpetrators

Statistic 57

28% have mental health diagnoses

Statistic 58

Fraternity-like groups in high schools: 10% involvement

Statistic 59

65% of perpetrators deny or minimize acts

Statistic 60

Volunteers/coaches: 18% rate

Statistic 61

75% male students aged 14-17 as peers

Statistic 62

Substance abuse in 40% of perpetrators

Statistic 63

20% have prior criminal convictions

Statistic 64

In the 2017-2018 school year, 7.1% of students aged 12-18 reported being sexually harassed or assaulted at school

Statistic 65

Approximately 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse by an adult before age 18, with 90% occurring in school-related settings

Statistic 66

93% of sexual assaults on students occur at or near school premises

Statistic 67

From 2011-2015, there were over 17,000 reported cases of sexual assault on school grounds in the US

Statistic 68

High school students report sexual violence victimization at a rate of 11% annually

Statistic 69

82% of child sexual abuse occurs within institutions like schools

Statistic 70

In 2020, 5.4% of public school students experienced physical sexual contact at school

Statistic 71

Juvenile victims of sexual assault in schools increased by 15% from 2016-2020

Statistic 72

1 in 6 girls and 1 in 33 boys experience attempted or completed rape in school environments

Statistic 73

School-based sexual assaults account for 25% of all child sexual abuse reports

Statistic 74

During 2018-2019, 4.2 million K-12 students faced sexual harassment at school

Statistic 75

48% of students report witnessing sexual assault at their school

Statistic 76

Sexual violence in schools rose 20% post-COVID lockdowns in 2021 surveys

Statistic 77

3.5% of middle schoolers report nonconsensual sexual contact annually

Statistic 78

Over 50% of sexual assaults in educational settings involve minors under 14

Statistic 79

Annual incidence of school sexual assault is 9.2 per 1,000 students

Statistic 80

76% of reported school assaults are sexual in nature among youth

Statistic 81

In urban schools, sexual assault prevalence is 12.3% vs. 6.8% rural

Statistic 82

1 in 4 teachers report knowing of sexual assault incidents yearly

Statistic 83

Elementary schools see 2.1% sexual abuse rate among students

Statistic 84

15% of high school sexual assaults involve weapons

Statistic 85

Sexual assault reports in schools doubled from 2000-2020

Statistic 86

60% of assaults occur during after-school programs

Statistic 87

Pandemic year 2020 saw 30% underreporting of school assaults

Statistic 88

8.4% of students aged 14-17 experienced school sexual violence

Statistic 89

Charter schools report 7% higher sexual assault rates than public

Statistic 90

22% of assaults in schools involve multiple perpetrators

Statistic 91

Online grooming leading to school assaults: 35% of cases

Statistic 92

4.8% annual rate in private schools

Statistic 93

Girls aged 12-14 face 16% risk of sexual assault at school

Statistic 94

70% of school sexual assault victims are female students

Statistic 95

LGBTQ+ students experience school sexual assault at 2x the rate of straight peers (15% vs 7%)

Statistic 96

Black students comprise 25% of school assault victims despite 14% population share

Statistic 97

40% of victims are under 12 years old in elementary settings

Statistic 98

Disabled students face 3x higher risk (14% prevalence)

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Low-income students report 11% victimization rate vs 5% high-income

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55% of victims experience repeat assaults at school

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Hispanic students: 9% report sexual harassment/assault

Statistic 102

Athletes are 1.5x more likely to be victims (12%)

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62% of victims know their perpetrator as a fellow student

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Freshmen girls: 20% risk in first semester

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Rural victims: 8% prevalence, often family-involved

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30% of victims suffer from pre-existing mental health issues

Statistic 107

Asian American students: lowest reported at 4%, underreporting likely

Statistic 108

45% of victims are from single-parent households

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Immigrant students: 13% victimization in US schools

Statistic 110

25% of victims drop out post-assault

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Transgender students: 28% sexual assault rate in schools

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Victims aged 15-17: 65% female, 35% male

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Foster care students: 18% prevalence

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38% of victims report alcohol/drug involvement

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Native American students: 19% rate in boarding schools historically

Statistic 116

50% of victims experience physical injuries

1/116

Sources

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While these numbers—like the chilling fact that 93% of sexual assaults on students happen at or near school—paint a horrifying reality, this post will confront the epidemic of sexual violence within our education system, examining its scope, its devastating impact, and the systemic failures that allow it to persist.

Key Takeaways

In the 2017-2018 school year, 7.1% of students aged 12-18 reported being sexually harassed or assaulted at school
Approximately 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse by an adult before age 18, with 90% occurring in school-related settings
93% of sexual assaults on students occur at or near school premises
Girls aged 12-14 face 16% risk of sexual assault at school
70% of school sexual assault victims are female students
LGBTQ+ students experience school sexual assault at 2x the rate of straight peers (15% vs 7%)
70% of male perpetrators are students aged 12-18
25% of school assaults by teachers/staff
Repeat offenders comprise 40% of student perpetrators
Only 10% of school assaults are reported to police
93% of student victims do not report to authorities
Schools dismiss 70% of complaints without investigation
55% of schools PTSD untreated in victims
70% of victims develop depression lasting 5+ years
Suicide attempt rate 4x higher (22% vs 5%)

Alarmingly high rates of sexual assault occur within U.S. schools, harming students for life.

Institutional Responses

Only 10% of school assaults are reported to police
93% of student victims do not report to authorities
Schools dismiss 70% of complaints without investigation
Title IX complaints rose 300% from 2011-2021
Only 25% of schools have sexual assault response protocols
60% of reports result in no disciplinary action
Training for staff covers only 40% of schools adequately
False reporting claims in 8% of cases, but 92% valid
Expulsions for perpetrators: under 5%
Hotline usage: only 12% of victims call school lines
50% of schools fail Title IX audits
Parent notifications delayed in 65% cases
Counseling offered post-assault: 35% of victims
75% underreporting due to fear of retaliation
Policy violations lead to lawsuits in 20% schools yearly
Anonymous reporting systems in 28% schools only
Staff training annual: 45% compliance
Victim relocation: rare, 3% of cases
Federal funding cuts reduced programs by 15%
82% of victims distrust school handling
Only 16% prosecutions from school reports

Institutional Responses Interpretation

The statistics paint a bleak portrait of institutional betrayal, where a victim's path to justice is a maze of underreporting, systemic dismissal, and a profound lack of trust, ultimately leaving predators largely unpunished and survivors overwhelmingly unsupported.

Long-term Effects

55% of schools PTSD untreated in victims
70% of victims develop depression lasting 5+ years
Suicide attempt rate 4x higher (22% vs 5%)
40% academic performance drop post-assault
Substance abuse risk increases 3x (30%)
50% higher dropout rates (25% vs 5%)
PTSD prevalence 45% one year later
Relationship dysfunction in 60% adulthood
Economic loss: $1.2M lifetime per victim
Revictimization rate 35% within 2 years
Anxiety disorders 55%
28% criminal involvement as adults
Health costs $124B annually from child sexual abuse
65% trust issues persisting 10 years
Obesity risk 2x higher (40%)
Homelessness 15% among survivors
Fertility issues 20% in female survivors
42% unemployment rate higher
Chronic pain syndromes 35%
75% require therapy lifelong
Social isolation 50%
32% intergenerational transmission risk

Long-term Effects Interpretation

These statistics aren't just cold numbers; they are the exhaustive invoice for a crime that steals not just a moment of safety, but a lifetime of potential, billing the victim and society in a currency of shattered health, trust, and future.

Perpetrator Profiles

70% of male perpetrators are students aged 12-18
25% of school assaults by teachers/staff
Repeat offenders comprise 40% of student perpetrators
85% of perpetrators are male in school settings
Coaches perpetrate 12% of assaults in high schools
60% of perpetrators have prior disciplinary records
Family members of staff: 8% involvement
35% of perpetrators are 18 or older in K-12
Gang-affiliated students: 22% of perpetrators
45% of teacher perpetrators are male aged 30-50
Online predators targeting schools: 15% of cases
52% of perpetrators from same racial background as victim
Bus drivers/aides: 5% of non-student perpetrators
28% have mental health diagnoses
Fraternity-like groups in high schools: 10% involvement
65% of perpetrators deny or minimize acts
Volunteers/coaches: 18% rate
75% male students aged 14-17 as peers
Substance abuse in 40% of perpetrators
20% have prior criminal convictions

Perpetrator Profiles Interpretation

While these grim statistics paint a complex portrait of predators—from troubled peers to authority figures abusing their trust—they ultimately reveal a single, devastating truth: the ecosystem of a school can be weaponized at almost every level, making the very place meant for safety a hunting ground.

Prevalence Rates

In the 2017-2018 school year, 7.1% of students aged 12-18 reported being sexually harassed or assaulted at school
Approximately 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse by an adult before age 18, with 90% occurring in school-related settings
93% of sexual assaults on students occur at or near school premises
From 2011-2015, there were over 17,000 reported cases of sexual assault on school grounds in the US
High school students report sexual violence victimization at a rate of 11% annually
82% of child sexual abuse occurs within institutions like schools
In 2020, 5.4% of public school students experienced physical sexual contact at school
Juvenile victims of sexual assault in schools increased by 15% from 2016-2020
1 in 6 girls and 1 in 33 boys experience attempted or completed rape in school environments
School-based sexual assaults account for 25% of all child sexual abuse reports
During 2018-2019, 4.2 million K-12 students faced sexual harassment at school
48% of students report witnessing sexual assault at their school
Sexual violence in schools rose 20% post-COVID lockdowns in 2021 surveys
3.5% of middle schoolers report nonconsensual sexual contact annually
Over 50% of sexual assaults in educational settings involve minors under 14
Annual incidence of school sexual assault is 9.2 per 1,000 students
76% of reported school assaults are sexual in nature among youth
In urban schools, sexual assault prevalence is 12.3% vs. 6.8% rural
1 in 4 teachers report knowing of sexual assault incidents yearly
Elementary schools see 2.1% sexual abuse rate among students
15% of high school sexual assaults involve weapons
Sexual assault reports in schools doubled from 2000-2020
60% of assaults occur during after-school programs
Pandemic year 2020 saw 30% underreporting of school assaults
8.4% of students aged 14-17 experienced school sexual violence
Charter schools report 7% higher sexual assault rates than public
22% of assaults in schools involve multiple perpetrators
Online grooming leading to school assaults: 35% of cases
4.8% annual rate in private schools

Prevalence Rates Interpretation

These statistics paint the horrifying reality that for many students, the greatest threat to their safety isn't found on the walk to school, but in the very hallways, classrooms, and programs designed to be their sanctuary.

Victim Characteristics

Girls aged 12-14 face 16% risk of sexual assault at school
70% of school sexual assault victims are female students
LGBTQ+ students experience school sexual assault at 2x the rate of straight peers (15% vs 7%)
Black students comprise 25% of school assault victims despite 14% population share
40% of victims are under 12 years old in elementary settings
Disabled students face 3x higher risk (14% prevalence)
Low-income students report 11% victimization rate vs 5% high-income
55% of victims experience repeat assaults at school
Hispanic students: 9% report sexual harassment/assault
Athletes are 1.5x more likely to be victims (12%)
62% of victims know their perpetrator as a fellow student
Freshmen girls: 20% risk in first semester
Rural victims: 8% prevalence, often family-involved
30% of victims suffer from pre-existing mental health issues
Asian American students: lowest reported at 4%, underreporting likely
45% of victims are from single-parent households
Immigrant students: 13% victimization in US schools
25% of victims drop out post-assault
Transgender students: 28% sexual assault rate in schools
Victims aged 15-17: 65% female, 35% male
Foster care students: 18% prevalence
38% of victims report alcohol/drug involvement
Native American students: 19% rate in boarding schools historically
50% of victims experience physical injuries

Victim Characteristics Interpretation

These statistics paint a grim, multi-layered portrait of a systemic crisis where the most vulnerable students—our youngest girls, LGBTQ+ youth, disabled, and minority populations—are being failed in the very places meant to nurture them, revealing an epidemic of violence that is both predictable in its targets and devastating in its repetitive, life-altering consequences.

Sources & References

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