GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Assault Prosecution Statistics

Few cases are reported and prosecuted; convictions remain exceedingly rare.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Less than 4% of sexual assault survivors are satisfied with the legal system’s response

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60% of sexual assault survivors experience symptoms of PTSD

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About 80% of sexual assault victims experience some form of physical injury

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Rape kit testing backlog delays prosecution in many cases, with an average delay of 6 months or more

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About 55% of victims seek medical attention immediately after assault, but only 35% receive a forensic exam

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Of those reported, approximately 2-8% result in arrest

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Less than half of reported sexual assaults lead to a conviction

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The average clearance rate for sexual assault cases in the U.S. is about 38%

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Less than 1% of rapes reported in 2018 resulted in a conviction

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The prosecution rate for sexual assault cases varies significantly by state, ranging from less than 10% to over 70%

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The number of unfounded sexual assault reports, where cases are dismissed due to insufficient evidence, ranges between 10-20% depending on jurisdiction

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Less than 1% of cases involving adult male victims are prosecuted successfully

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The average time from incident to court trial in sexual assault cases is over 2 years

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Cases with DNA evidence are more likely to lead to convictions, with success rates around 60-70%

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The likelihood of sexual assault conviction increases with the number of witnesses, although witnesses include bystanders and experts, with conviction rates over 50% in cases with multiple witnesses

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In certain jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault varies from 3 to 20 years

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The use of trauma-informed interviewing techniques increases prosecution rates by up to 20%

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The average cost to prosecute a sexual assault case ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on jurisdiction

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The proportion of sexual assault cases that involve weapons is approximately 20%, impacting prosecution and sentencing

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Victims with access to legal support are 30% more likely to pursue prosecution

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The conviction rate for cases involving child sexual abuse is higher in jurisdictions with specialized courts, reaching up to 70%

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Men falsely accused of sexual assault are rarely convicted, with an estimated wrongful conviction rate below 2%

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The likelihood of successful prosecution decreases significantly if DNA evidence is contaminated or mishandled, which occurs in about 10% of cases

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The average age for perpetrators of sexual assault is approximately 30 years old

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The rate of recidivism among sexual offenders varies widely but can be as high as 15% over a decade

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Approximately 30% of sexual assault cases involve multiple perpetrators, complicating prosecution efforts

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Only about 5% of sexual assaults are reported to the police

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Only 12% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement

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The median duration from assault to reporting is approximately 2 years

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The likelihood of a conviction drops significantly if there is delayed reporting

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Only about 3-4% of rapes are reported among college students

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About half of sexual assault victims never tell anyone about the assault

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Only 20-25% of sexual assault cases involve physical resistance by the victim, yet this is often used as a factor in investigations

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Sexual assault cases are more likely to be prosecuted if reported within 24 hours, but only about 1-2% of victims report within this window

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Only about 2-3% of cases involve false reporting, according to law enforcement estimates

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Legal reforms implementing victim-friendly procedures have increased reporting rates by approximately 15%

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Around one in five women and one in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives

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The average age of victims at the time of assault is approximately 16 years old

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94% of campus sexual assault victims knew the perpetrator

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Approximately 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim

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Women aged 18-24 are most at risk for sexual assault, accounting for approximately 40% of cases

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Approximately 60% of sexual violence victims are under the age of 18

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Men are less likely to report sexual assault than women, with under 20% reporting their assault

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About 50-70% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol use by either victim, perpetrator, or both

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About 4% of sexual assault cases involve a stranger, with the rest involving acquaintances or known perpetrators

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The majority of sexual assault victims are female, accounting for over 90% of cases

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About 70% of sexual assault reports are made by victims under 25 years old

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Key Highlights

Only about 5% of sexual assaults are reported to the police
Of those reported, approximately 2-8% result in arrest
Less than half of reported sexual assaults lead to a conviction
Around one in five women and one in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives
The average age of victims at the time of assault is approximately 16 years old
94% of campus sexual assault victims knew the perpetrator
Only 12% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement
The median duration from assault to reporting is approximately 2 years
Less than 4% of sexual assault survivors are satisfied with the legal system’s response
Approximately 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim
The average clearance rate for sexual assault cases in the U.S. is about 38%
Less than 1% of rapes reported in 2018 resulted in a conviction
The likelihood of a conviction drops significantly if there is delayed reporting

Despite sobering statistics revealing that only a fraction of sexual assaults are reported and even fewer result in conviction, efforts to reform legal procedures and improve victim support are crucial in transforming justice for survivors.

Healthcare, Support, and System Challenges

Less than 4% of sexual assault survivors are satisfied with the legal system’s response
60% of sexual assault survivors experience symptoms of PTSD
About 80% of sexual assault victims experience some form of physical injury
Rape kit testing backlog delays prosecution in many cases, with an average delay of 6 months or more
About 55% of victims seek medical attention immediately after assault, but only 35% receive a forensic exam

Healthcare, Support, and System Challenges Interpretation

These sobering statistics expose a system where justice often feels as delayed and incomplete as the trauma endured—highlighting the urgent need for reform to better serve and support survivors.

Legal Outcomes and Conviction Statistics

Of those reported, approximately 2-8% result in arrest
Less than half of reported sexual assaults lead to a conviction
The average clearance rate for sexual assault cases in the U.S. is about 38%
Less than 1% of rapes reported in 2018 resulted in a conviction
The prosecution rate for sexual assault cases varies significantly by state, ranging from less than 10% to over 70%
The number of unfounded sexual assault reports, where cases are dismissed due to insufficient evidence, ranges between 10-20% depending on jurisdiction
Less than 1% of cases involving adult male victims are prosecuted successfully
The average time from incident to court trial in sexual assault cases is over 2 years
Cases with DNA evidence are more likely to lead to convictions, with success rates around 60-70%
The likelihood of sexual assault conviction increases with the number of witnesses, although witnesses include bystanders and experts, with conviction rates over 50% in cases with multiple witnesses
In certain jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault varies from 3 to 20 years
The use of trauma-informed interviewing techniques increases prosecution rates by up to 20%
The average cost to prosecute a sexual assault case ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on jurisdiction
The proportion of sexual assault cases that involve weapons is approximately 20%, impacting prosecution and sentencing
Victims with access to legal support are 30% more likely to pursue prosecution
The conviction rate for cases involving child sexual abuse is higher in jurisdictions with specialized courts, reaching up to 70%
Men falsely accused of sexual assault are rarely convicted, with an estimated wrongful conviction rate below 2%
The likelihood of successful prosecution decreases significantly if DNA evidence is contaminated or mishandled, which occurs in about 10% of cases

Legal Outcomes and Conviction Statistics Interpretation

Despite the alarming prevalence, the disheartening reality remains that less than 8% of reported sexual assaults result in arrest and fewer than 1% culminate in conviction—highlighting a justice system where evidence, witnesses, and even victim support dramatically influence whether accountability is achieved or remains elusive.

Perpetrator Characteristics and Recidivism

The average age for perpetrators of sexual assault is approximately 30 years old
The rate of recidivism among sexual offenders varies widely but can be as high as 15% over a decade
Approximately 30% of sexual assault cases involve multiple perpetrators, complicating prosecution efforts

Perpetrator Characteristics and Recidivism Interpretation

These statistics reveal a sobering reality: often in the prime of life, some commit repeated harm within complex dynamics, underscoring the urgent need for nuanced prevention and vigilant prosecution.

Reporting and Disclosure Rates

Only about 5% of sexual assaults are reported to the police
Only 12% of college sexual assault cases are reported to law enforcement
The median duration from assault to reporting is approximately 2 years
The likelihood of a conviction drops significantly if there is delayed reporting
Only about 3-4% of rapes are reported among college students
About half of sexual assault victims never tell anyone about the assault
Only 20-25% of sexual assault cases involve physical resistance by the victim, yet this is often used as a factor in investigations
Sexual assault cases are more likely to be prosecuted if reported within 24 hours, but only about 1-2% of victims report within this window
Only about 2-3% of cases involve false reporting, according to law enforcement estimates
Legal reforms implementing victim-friendly procedures have increased reporting rates by approximately 15%

Reporting and Disclosure Rates Interpretation

Despite the sobering statistics revealing that a mere fraction of sexual assaults are reported—often years after they occur—and that delayed reporting diminishes the chances of conviction, recent reforms suggest that creating victim-friendly procedures can boost reporting; yet, the persistent invisibility of most cases underscores the urgent need for comprehensive cultural and legal change to ensure justice doesn't remain an elusive goal for so many survivors.

Victim Demographics and Risk Factors

Around one in five women and one in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives
The average age of victims at the time of assault is approximately 16 years old
94% of campus sexual assault victims knew the perpetrator
Approximately 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim
Women aged 18-24 are most at risk for sexual assault, accounting for approximately 40% of cases
Approximately 60% of sexual violence victims are under the age of 18
Men are less likely to report sexual assault than women, with under 20% reporting their assault
About 50-70% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol use by either victim, perpetrator, or both
About 4% of sexual assault cases involve a stranger, with the rest involving acquaintances or known perpetrators
The majority of sexual assault victims are female, accounting for over 90% of cases
About 70% of sexual assault reports are made by victims under 25 years old

Victim Demographics and Risk Factors Interpretation

These statistics reveal a sobering reality: sexual assault primarily plagues young women within familiar circles, often under the shadow of alcohol, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and support systems tailored to vulnerable populations.