GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Assault Military Statistics

Military sexual assault remains pervasive with low reporting, prosecution, and high retaliation.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Military sexual assault victims are more likely to be between the ages of 18-25

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The average age of sexual assault victims in the military is 23 years old

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About 55% of military sexual assault victims experience retaliation after reporting

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78% of victims of sexual assault in the military report feeling that reporting would harm their career

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Only about 5% of sexual assault cases in the military result in a conviction

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60% of sexual assault victims in the military report suicidal thoughts or attempts following the incident

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Retaliation against victims who report sexual assault is reported in over 55% of cases

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Victims of sexual assault are five times more likely to leave the military than those who are not victims

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About 30% of sexual assault victims in the military did not report because they feared it would negatively impact their career

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A survey found that 78% of sexual assault victims in the military experienced some form of workplace retaliation

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Over 60% of victims report feeling shame or embarrassment about their assault, hindering reporting

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The annual cost to the military for handling sexual assault allegations and related issues exceeds $1 billion

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Service members who experience sexual assault are more likely to develop PTSD, with prevalence rates over 60%

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Only 2% of sexual assault allegations in the military lead to prison sentences, reflecting challenges in prosecution

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Approximately 32% of female service members and 3% of male service members have reported experiencing sexual assault during active duty

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An estimated 13,000 service members were sexually assaulted in 2020, representing a rate of 1,017 assaults per 100,000 personnel

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Female service members are twice as likely to experience sexual assault as their male counterparts

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The majority of sexual assaults in the military occur during peacetime, not during combat

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Over 80% of victims of sexual assault in the military are women

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Less than 25% of sexual assault reports in the military result in court-martial proceedings

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The rate of sexual assault in the military has decreased by approximately 15% from 2018 to 2020

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Over 65% of sexual assault reports in the military are made by women

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The most common type of sexual assault reported in the military is unwanted sexual contact, making up over 60% of cases

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45% of military sexual assault victims knew their perpetrator before the assault, often a colleague or superior

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Female service members experience sexual assault at a rate nearly twice that of male service members

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65% of military sexual assault reports are categorized as unwanted sexual contact, not assault or rape, indicating a broader scope of unwanted interactions

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The rate of sexual assault among military recruits is higher during initial training periods, with some studies citing up to 15%

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Approximately 40% of sexual assault allegations in the military involve alcohol intoxication of the perpetrator or victim, indicating substance use as a factor

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The Department of Defense estimates that only about 20% of sexual assaults are actually reported

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In 2020, approximately 41% of reports of sexual assault led to some form of disciplinary or judicial action

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About 54% of victims who reported their assault did so to a fellow service member, not to authorities

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Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims in the military did not seek medical care following the incident

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The average delay between assault and reporting is about 124 days

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Only 3% of male victims report their assault, compared to 12% of females

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The percentage of military sexual assault reports leading to prosecution has increased slightly since 2018, from about 16% to 20%

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Nearly 70% of military sexual assault cases go unreported, often due to fear of reprisal or career damage

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Victims with higher ranks are more likely to report sexual assault, with a reporting rate of approximately 35% among senior ranks

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The Department of Defense spends over $600 million annually on sexual assault prevention and response programs

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Only 8% of victims ever contact Special Victims’ Counsel for support

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Sexual assault prevention training is mandated annually for all service members, but only about 50% report feeling adequately trained

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Key Highlights

Approximately 32% of female service members and 3% of male service members have reported experiencing sexual assault during active duty
An estimated 13,000 service members were sexually assaulted in 2020, representing a rate of 1,017 assaults per 100,000 personnel
The Department of Defense estimates that only about 20% of sexual assaults are actually reported
About 55% of military sexual assault victims experience retaliation after reporting
78% of victims of sexual assault in the military report feeling that reporting would harm their career
Female service members are twice as likely to experience sexual assault as their male counterparts
The majority of sexual assaults in the military occur during peacetime, not during combat
In 2020, approximately 41% of reports of sexual assault led to some form of disciplinary or judicial action
Over 80% of victims of sexual assault in the military are women
About 54% of victims who reported their assault did so to a fellow service member, not to authorities
Less than 25% of sexual assault reports in the military result in court-martial proceedings
Military sexual assault victims are more likely to be between the ages of 18-25
Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims in the military did not seek medical care following the incident

Despite ongoing efforts and billions spent on prevention, sexual assault remains a pervasive and underreported crisis within the military, affecting nearly one in three female service members and leaving victims facing retaliation, shame, and devastating consequences.

Demographics, Perceptions, and Racial Dynamics

Military sexual assault victims are more likely to be between the ages of 18-25
The average age of sexual assault victims in the military is 23 years old

Demographics, Perceptions, and Racial Dynamics Interpretation

The data underscores a disturbing trend: young adults, particularly those aged 18-25 with an average of just 23 in military service, face a disproportionate risk of sexual assault, revealing the urgent need for targeted preventive measures and stronger protections in the armed forces.

Impact and Consequences of Sexual Assault

About 55% of military sexual assault victims experience retaliation after reporting
78% of victims of sexual assault in the military report feeling that reporting would harm their career
Only about 5% of sexual assault cases in the military result in a conviction
60% of sexual assault victims in the military report suicidal thoughts or attempts following the incident
Retaliation against victims who report sexual assault is reported in over 55% of cases
Victims of sexual assault are five times more likely to leave the military than those who are not victims
About 30% of sexual assault victims in the military did not report because they feared it would negatively impact their career
A survey found that 78% of sexual assault victims in the military experienced some form of workplace retaliation
Over 60% of victims report feeling shame or embarrassment about their assault, hindering reporting
The annual cost to the military for handling sexual assault allegations and related issues exceeds $1 billion
Service members who experience sexual assault are more likely to develop PTSD, with prevalence rates over 60%
Only 2% of sexual assault allegations in the military lead to prison sentences, reflecting challenges in prosecution

Impact and Consequences of Sexual Assault Interpretation

Despite decades of awareness and over a billion-dollar annual cost, military sexual assault statistics reveal a grim cycle of silence, retaliation, and justice denied—highlighting that in the military, speaking out is still a perilous gamble with careers, mental health, and accountability often paying the heaviest price.

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Assault

Approximately 32% of female service members and 3% of male service members have reported experiencing sexual assault during active duty
An estimated 13,000 service members were sexually assaulted in 2020, representing a rate of 1,017 assaults per 100,000 personnel
Female service members are twice as likely to experience sexual assault as their male counterparts
The majority of sexual assaults in the military occur during peacetime, not during combat
Over 80% of victims of sexual assault in the military are women
Less than 25% of sexual assault reports in the military result in court-martial proceedings
The rate of sexual assault in the military has decreased by approximately 15% from 2018 to 2020
Over 65% of sexual assault reports in the military are made by women
The most common type of sexual assault reported in the military is unwanted sexual contact, making up over 60% of cases
45% of military sexual assault victims knew their perpetrator before the assault, often a colleague or superior
Female service members experience sexual assault at a rate nearly twice that of male service members
65% of military sexual assault reports are categorized as unwanted sexual contact, not assault or rape, indicating a broader scope of unwanted interactions
The rate of sexual assault among military recruits is higher during initial training periods, with some studies citing up to 15%
Approximately 40% of sexual assault allegations in the military involve alcohol intoxication of the perpetrator or victim, indicating substance use as a factor

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Assault Interpretation

While the military touts a 15% decline in sexual assault cases from 2018 to 2020, the persistent prevalence—especially among women, with over 80% being the victims—reveals that the battle for a genuinely safe service environment remains far from over, highlighting both the complex scope of unwanted interactions and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms.

Reporting and Disclosure Trends

The Department of Defense estimates that only about 20% of sexual assaults are actually reported
In 2020, approximately 41% of reports of sexual assault led to some form of disciplinary or judicial action
About 54% of victims who reported their assault did so to a fellow service member, not to authorities
Approximately 70% of sexual assault victims in the military did not seek medical care following the incident
The average delay between assault and reporting is about 124 days
Only 3% of male victims report their assault, compared to 12% of females
The percentage of military sexual assault reports leading to prosecution has increased slightly since 2018, from about 16% to 20%
Nearly 70% of military sexual assault cases go unreported, often due to fear of reprisal or career damage
Victims with higher ranks are more likely to report sexual assault, with a reporting rate of approximately 35% among senior ranks

Reporting and Disclosure Trends Interpretation

Despite a slight uptick in prosecutions, the military's sexual assault statistics reveal a troubling reality: a vast silence fueled by fear and stigma, where only a fraction of victims come forward, leaving many unprotected and uncounted in a system still struggling to translate reports into justice.

Support, Prevention, and Response Measures

The Department of Defense spends over $600 million annually on sexual assault prevention and response programs
Only 8% of victims ever contact Special Victims’ Counsel for support
Sexual assault prevention training is mandated annually for all service members, but only about 50% report feeling adequately trained

Support, Prevention, and Response Measures Interpretation

Despite pouring over $600 million annually into prevention and mandated training, the military's silent battlefield remains the unspoken truth that 92% of victims never seek counsel and half of service members doubt their preparedness—highlighting that money alone can't silence a deeper searing wound.