GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Crime Statistics

Global sexual violence is widespread, underreported, and largely unpunished.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of victims of sexual exploitation in human trafficking cases is around 16-18 years old

Statistic 2

Education level correlates with reporting rates; higher education levels often lead to increased reporting of sexual crimes

Statistic 3

Among sexual assault survivors, approximately 25% experience their first incident before the age of 10, highlighting early vulnerability

Statistic 4

Mental health issues such as PTSD are prevalent among sexual assault survivors, with studies showing about 30% of victims develop PTSD symptoms

Statistic 5

Studies indicate that sexual violence has long-term health impacts, including increased risk for chronic conditions like depression and cardiovascular disease

Statistic 6

A significant proportion of sexual assault victims experience additional forms of victimization, including stalking and psychological abuse, with some studies indicating over 50%

Statistic 7

The cost of sexual violence to society includes healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs, amounting to billions of dollars annually in many countries

Statistic 8

The average time between sexual assault and reporting to law enforcement is approximately 7 years

Statistic 9

Only 40% of sexual assault cases in the U.S. are reported to law enforcement, and less than half of those reports result in an arrest

Statistic 10

Rape conviction rates are often less than 10% worldwide, indicating significant barriers to justice

Statistic 11

The likelihood of conviction for sexual assault varies greatly by jurisdiction, with some states in the U.S. posting conviction rates below 20%

Statistic 12

Globally, less than 10% of rapes result in conviction, highlighting significant challenges within judicial systems

Statistic 13

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 3 women globally have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime

Statistic 14

In the United States, there were an estimated 127,840 confirmed cases of sexual assault in 2020

Statistic 15

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program reported that in 2021, there were approximately 14,685 reported rape cases in the U.S.

Statistic 16

Sexual assault crimes account for approximately 8% of all violent crimes reported in the United States

Statistic 17

In the UK, police recorded 65,155 sexual offences in the year ending March 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year

Statistic 18

Globally, it is estimated that 30% of women who experience partner violence or non-partner sexual violence report the incident to the police

Statistic 19

Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims in the U.S. know their attacker

Statistic 20

About 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker

Statistic 21

The prevalence of sexual harassment in workplaces ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on the industry and country

Statistic 22

In India, it is estimated that over 90% of sexual violence cases go unreported, due to social stigma and victim fear

Statistic 23

The global prevalence of sexual violence among women is approximately 13%, according to WHO data

Statistic 24

In Australia, approximately 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15

Statistic 25

In South Africa, the rate of sexual assault is estimated at 138 cases per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the world

Statistic 26

Nearly 80% of sexual assault victims in the U.S. do not report the crime due to fear of retaliation or belief that police can’t help

Statistic 27

According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, almost 1 in 20 women have experienced sexual violence in the past 12 months

Statistic 28

The majority of sexual offenses are committed by someone known to the victim, including intimate partners and acquaintances

Statistic 29

In the United States, the National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that approximately 63% of sexual assaults are estimated to go unreported

Statistic 30

Children under the age of 12 who experience sexual abuse often never disclose the abuse, with disclosure rates as low as 10%

Statistic 31

The rate of false reporting of sexual assault allegations is estimated at around 2-8%, though most reports are genuine

Statistic 32

The prevalence of sexual violence among transgender individuals is significantly higher than the cisgender population, with estimates around 50%

Statistic 33

In Japan, sexual violence reports account for less than 20% of incidents, with underreporting driven by social stigma

Statistic 34

In Brazil, sexual violence accounts for nearly 40% of all violence-related deaths among women

Statistic 35

According to a study in Canada, about 37% of women report experiencing some form of sexual assault or harassment during their university years

Statistic 36

Up to 80% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol or drug use by the offender or victim, complicating investigation and prosecution

Statistic 37

In France, approximately 90,000 cases of sexual violence are reported annually, though many more go unrecorded

Statistic 38

Sexual offenses against children constitute roughly one-third of all reported sex crimes worldwide

Statistic 39

In New Zealand, about 20% of women report having experienced sexual violence since the age of 16

Statistic 40

70% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, such as an intimate partner or family member

Statistic 41

In South Korea, approximately 3 out of 4 sexual assault victims do not report the crime, citing shame and social pressure

Statistic 42

The incidence of sexual harassment among university students ranges from 33% to 75%, depending on the country and study

Statistic 43

In Nigeria, over 11 million children are involved in child labor, many of whom are vulnerable to sexual exploitation

Statistic 44

Men account for approximately 85% of sexual violence offenders globally, though data varies by region

Statistic 45

In the Netherlands, reports of sexual violence increased by 25% in 2021 compared to the previous year, partly due to increased awareness and reporting

Statistic 46

In some countries, there is a significant underreporting of sexual violence among minority and marginalized communities, with underreporting rates exceeding 70%

Statistic 47

Sexual violence prevention education programs show a reduction of up to 20% in incidents among adolescents, according to research

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Key Highlights

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 3 women globally have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
In the United States, there were an estimated 127,840 confirmed cases of sexual assault in 2020
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program reported that in 2021, there were approximately 14,685 reported rape cases in the U.S.
Sexual assault crimes account for approximately 8% of all violent crimes reported in the United States
In the UK, police recorded 65,155 sexual offences in the year ending March 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year
Globally, it is estimated that 30% of women who experience partner violence or non-partner sexual violence report the incident to the police
Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims in the U.S. know their attacker
The average time between sexual assault and reporting to law enforcement is approximately 7 years
About 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
The prevalence of sexual harassment in workplaces ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on the industry and country
Only 40% of sexual assault cases in the U.S. are reported to law enforcement, and less than half of those reports result in an arrest
In India, it is estimated that over 90% of sexual violence cases go unreported, due to social stigma and victim fear
The global prevalence of sexual violence among women is approximately 13%, according to WHO data

Sexual crime remains a pervasive global crisis, with heartbreaking statistics revealing staggering underreporting, low conviction rates, and profound long-term impacts on victims worldwide.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

The average age of victims of sexual exploitation in human trafficking cases is around 16-18 years old
Education level correlates with reporting rates; higher education levels often lead to increased reporting of sexual crimes
Among sexual assault survivors, approximately 25% experience their first incident before the age of 10, highlighting early vulnerability

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Interpretation

These statistics underscore a troubling reality: vulnerable youth and disparities in awareness ensure that many sexual crimes go unreported, while early childhood abuse remains a desperately urgent crisis demanding unwavering vigilance and concerted prevention efforts.

Impact on Victims’ Mental and Physical Health

Mental health issues such as PTSD are prevalent among sexual assault survivors, with studies showing about 30% of victims develop PTSD symptoms
Studies indicate that sexual violence has long-term health impacts, including increased risk for chronic conditions like depression and cardiovascular disease
A significant proportion of sexual assault victims experience additional forms of victimization, including stalking and psychological abuse, with some studies indicating over 50%
The cost of sexual violence to society includes healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs, amounting to billions of dollars annually in many countries

Impact on Victims’ Mental and Physical Health Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that sexual violence leaves a devastating and costly ripple effect—traumatizing survivors with PTSD and chronic illness, compounding their victimization, and draining societal resources in a grim reminder that prevention must be a priority.

Legal and Justice System Responses

The average time between sexual assault and reporting to law enforcement is approximately 7 years
Only 40% of sexual assault cases in the U.S. are reported to law enforcement, and less than half of those reports result in an arrest
Rape conviction rates are often less than 10% worldwide, indicating significant barriers to justice
The likelihood of conviction for sexual assault varies greatly by jurisdiction, with some states in the U.S. posting conviction rates below 20%
Globally, less than 10% of rapes result in conviction, highlighting significant challenges within judicial systems

Legal and Justice System Responses Interpretation

These sobering statistics reveal that in the realm of sexual assault, justice is often a distant beacon—delayed, rare, and impeded by systemic barriers that let many perpetrators walk free while survivors wait years or never see accountability.

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Violence

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 3 women globally have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
In the United States, there were an estimated 127,840 confirmed cases of sexual assault in 2020
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program reported that in 2021, there were approximately 14,685 reported rape cases in the U.S.
Sexual assault crimes account for approximately 8% of all violent crimes reported in the United States
In the UK, police recorded 65,155 sexual offences in the year ending March 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year
Globally, it is estimated that 30% of women who experience partner violence or non-partner sexual violence report the incident to the police
Nearly 60% of sexual assault victims in the U.S. know their attacker
About 90% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
The prevalence of sexual harassment in workplaces ranges from 20% to 80%, depending on the industry and country
In India, it is estimated that over 90% of sexual violence cases go unreported, due to social stigma and victim fear
The global prevalence of sexual violence among women is approximately 13%, according to WHO data
In Australia, approximately 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15
In South Africa, the rate of sexual assault is estimated at 138 cases per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the world
Nearly 80% of sexual assault victims in the U.S. do not report the crime due to fear of retaliation or belief that police can’t help
According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, almost 1 in 20 women have experienced sexual violence in the past 12 months
The majority of sexual offenses are committed by someone known to the victim, including intimate partners and acquaintances
In the United States, the National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that approximately 63% of sexual assaults are estimated to go unreported
Children under the age of 12 who experience sexual abuse often never disclose the abuse, with disclosure rates as low as 10%
The rate of false reporting of sexual assault allegations is estimated at around 2-8%, though most reports are genuine
The prevalence of sexual violence among transgender individuals is significantly higher than the cisgender population, with estimates around 50%
In Japan, sexual violence reports account for less than 20% of incidents, with underreporting driven by social stigma
In Brazil, sexual violence accounts for nearly 40% of all violence-related deaths among women
According to a study in Canada, about 37% of women report experiencing some form of sexual assault or harassment during their university years
Up to 80% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol or drug use by the offender or victim, complicating investigation and prosecution
In France, approximately 90,000 cases of sexual violence are reported annually, though many more go unrecorded
Sexual offenses against children constitute roughly one-third of all reported sex crimes worldwide
In New Zealand, about 20% of women report having experienced sexual violence since the age of 16
70% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, such as an intimate partner or family member
In South Korea, approximately 3 out of 4 sexual assault victims do not report the crime, citing shame and social pressure
The incidence of sexual harassment among university students ranges from 33% to 75%, depending on the country and study
In Nigeria, over 11 million children are involved in child labor, many of whom are vulnerable to sexual exploitation
Men account for approximately 85% of sexual violence offenders globally, though data varies by region
In the Netherlands, reports of sexual violence increased by 25% in 2021 compared to the previous year, partly due to increased awareness and reporting
In some countries, there is a significant underreporting of sexual violence among minority and marginalized communities, with underreporting rates exceeding 70%

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Violence Interpretation

Despite widespread awareness campaigns, sexual violence remains alarmingly pervasive worldwide—with nearly one-third of women experiencing some form of abuse and a staggering underreporting that conceals an even grimmer reality, proving that silence and stigma are often the most common perpetrators of violence.

Preventative Measures and Education

Sexual violence prevention education programs show a reduction of up to 20% in incidents among adolescents, according to research

Preventative Measures and Education Interpretation

Implementing sexual violence prevention education programs among adolescents can slash incident rates by up to 20%, proving that knowledge is indeed power—and a potent deterrent.