GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Harrasment Statistics

Sexual harassment affects 81%, remains underreported, and causes emotional distress worldwide.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 81% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime

Statistic 2

In the United States, 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing sexual harassment or sexual violence in their lifetime

Statistic 3

Around 85% of young women aged 18-24 experience some form of sexual harassment

Statistic 4

40% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence or harassment

Statistic 5

70% of LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination

Statistic 6

In India, over 50% of women have faced sexual harassment in public places

Statistic 7

About 75% of victims are harassed by someone they know

Statistic 8

In a global survey, 66% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or abuse

Statistic 9

54% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence, including harassment, physical assault, rape, or coercion

Statistic 10

In the U.S., approximately 62% of sexual harassment victims are women

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30% of teens aged 15-19 report experiencing some form of sexual harassment online

Statistic 12

21% of girls aged 15-18 experienced unwanted sexual advances or harassment in the past year

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88% of perpetrators of sexual harassment are men

Statistic 14

Sexual harassment increases emotional distress, with 60% of victims reporting anxiety or depression following an incident

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In Latin America, 45% of women report having experienced some type of harassment in public spaces

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In South Africa, about 48% of women have experienced sexual violence or harassment

Statistic 17

Children and adolescents account for approximately 15% of all sexual harassment cases reported globally

Statistic 18

About 15% of men report being victims of some form of sexual harassment, though underreporting is common

Statistic 19

80% of transgender individuals have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination

Statistic 20

Online sexual harassment affects an estimated 40% of adolescent girls globally

Statistic 21

In the European Union, 25% of women aged 16-64 have experienced some form of sexual harassment

Statistic 22

Approximately 66% of sexual harassment victims pay a financial cost due to medical expenses or legal charges

Statistic 23

The global cost of sexual harassment and violence is estimated to be over $150 billion annually, considering healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs

Statistic 24

In Pakistan, over 70% of women report experiencing harassment in public spaces

Statistic 25

About 32% of men aged 15-24 have experienced some form of harassment or inappropriate behavior

Statistic 26

Nearly 50% of women report experiencing harassment in public transport environments

Statistic 27

The majority (around 78%) of online harassment victims are women, especially on social media platforms

Statistic 28

In France, 35% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment

Statistic 29

In Japan, 30% of women aged 20-39 report harassment in public and private sectors

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77% of victims of online harassment experience emotional or psychological distress

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63% of women report feeling unsafe in public spaces due to harassment fears

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The rate of harassment incidents increases during large public events, with reports rising by 25%

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The median age of first experiencing harassment is 17 years old, highlighting teenage vulnerability

Statistic 34

In the UK, 60% of women aged 16-24 have experienced street harassment

Statistic 35

80% of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face harassment or discrimination in public spaces

Statistic 36

Approximately 20% of victims experience repeated harassment over extended periods, leading to severe mental health issues

Statistic 37

In China, over 40% of women have experienced harassment in public settings, mostly going unreported

Statistic 38

Regional differences show that harassment prevalence is highest in South Asia and lowest in North America, with incidences 3 times higher

Statistic 39

Nearly 60% of harassment cases go unreported

Statistic 40

In a survey, 70% of women who experienced harassment did not report the incident

Statistic 41

75% of female victims of workplace harassment do not report incidents

Statistic 42

95% of women who experience harassment do not file a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation

Statistic 43

80% of women who experience workplace harassment do not report it due to fear of job loss or retaliation

Statistic 44

Up to 90% of campus sexual assault victims do not report incidents

Statistic 45

Only 11% of victims receive adequate support or counseling after incidents of harassment

Statistic 46

Safety concerns and fear of stigma prevent nearly 65% of women from reporting street harassment

Statistic 47

85% of sexual harassment cases in academic settings remain unreported, leading to underestimation of prevalence

Statistic 48

40% of women who experience harassment report it to authorities, but only 10% see those cases lead to disciplinary action

Statistic 49

Research indicates that men are less likely than women to recognize certain behaviors as harassment, contributing to underreporting

Statistic 50

Global surveys report that only 17% of victims of workplace harassment believe that the legal system effectively addresses their cases

Statistic 51

About 10% of male victims in workplaces report harassment due to shame and fear, significantly underestimating actual figures

Statistic 52

Only 35% of men worldwide believe that sexual harassment is a serious issue, leading to underreporting

Statistic 53

65% of women believe that harassment in public is underreported due to social stigma

Statistic 54

54% of victims report feeling shame or guilt post-incident, hindering reporting

Statistic 55

55% of women believe that societal attitudes towards gender roles contribute to harassment prevalence

Statistic 56

74% of men believe that sexual harassment claims are exaggerated, which hampers efforts to address the issue

Statistic 57

45% of young women see harassment as a normal part of social interactions, contributing to underreporting

Statistic 58

53% of victims report not seeking help due to fear of damaging their reputation

Statistic 59

65% of women worldwide believe societal stigma discourages victims from reporting harassment, leading to underreporting

Statistic 60

In the workplace, women are three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment

Statistic 61

50% of women subjected to harassment experience it at work, and nearly 75% of these cases go unreported

Statistic 62

52% of women in the workplace have experienced some form of sexual harassment at some point in their careers

Statistic 63

The median age of victims experiencing workplace harassment ranges between 35-44 years old

Statistic 64

In Australia, 18% of women have faced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace

Statistic 65

The average age of victims reporting sexual harassment in the workplace is 40

Statistic 66

Workplace sexual harassment reduces employee productivity by approximately 20%

Statistic 67

In workplaces with strict anti-harassment policies, incidents decrease by up to 40%

Statistic 68

In surveys, 45% of women identified workplace harassment as the primary barrier to career advancement

Statistic 69

82% of women who experience harassment at work are hesitant to seek promotions due to fear of retaliation

Statistic 70

60% of harassment cases involve unwanted touching or physical advances

Statistic 71

Women aged 25-34 are most likely to experience workplace sexual harassment, at a rate of 35%

Statistic 72

72% of sexual harassment incidents in workplaces are overlooked or ignored, leading to continued misconduct

Statistic 73

Surveys indicate that only 15% of perpetrators are held accountable for sexual harassment, indicating widespread impunity

Statistic 74

Workplace training programs reducing harassment have seen up to a 50% decrease in reported cases

Statistic 75

The economic impact of sexual harassment is estimated at over $80 billion annually globally due to healthcare costs, lost productivity, and legal expenses

Statistic 76

The majority (around 66%) of harassment victims in the military experience harassment from peers rather than superiors

Statistic 77

Approximately 25% of professional women globally experience some form of sexual harassment at work annually

Statistic 78

Senate and congressional investigations reveal that over 60% of harassment complaints involve repeated offenses rather than a one-time incident

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Key Highlights

Approximately 81% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime
In the United States, 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing sexual harassment or sexual violence in their lifetime
Nearly 60% of harassment cases go unreported
In a survey, 70% of women who experienced harassment did not report the incident
75% of female victims of workplace harassment do not report incidents
Around 85% of young women aged 18-24 experience some form of sexual harassment
In the workplace, women are three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment
40% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence or harassment
70% of LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination
50% of women subjected to harassment experience it at work, and nearly 75% of these cases go unreported
In India, over 50% of women have faced sexual harassment in public places
About 75% of victims are harassed by someone they know
95% of women who experience harassment do not file a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation

Despite the staggering reality that over 80% of women worldwide have faced sexual harassment at some point, millions remain silent due to fear, stigma, and inadequate support, revealing a global crisis that demands urgent awareness and action.

Prevalence of Harassment and Violence

Approximately 81% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime
In the United States, 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing sexual harassment or sexual violence in their lifetime
Around 85% of young women aged 18-24 experience some form of sexual harassment
40% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence or harassment
70% of LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination
In India, over 50% of women have faced sexual harassment in public places
About 75% of victims are harassed by someone they know
In a global survey, 66% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or abuse
54% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence, including harassment, physical assault, rape, or coercion
In the U.S., approximately 62% of sexual harassment victims are women
30% of teens aged 15-19 report experiencing some form of sexual harassment online
21% of girls aged 15-18 experienced unwanted sexual advances or harassment in the past year
88% of perpetrators of sexual harassment are men
Sexual harassment increases emotional distress, with 60% of victims reporting anxiety or depression following an incident
In Latin America, 45% of women report having experienced some type of harassment in public spaces
In South Africa, about 48% of women have experienced sexual violence or harassment
Children and adolescents account for approximately 15% of all sexual harassment cases reported globally
About 15% of men report being victims of some form of sexual harassment, though underreporting is common
80% of transgender individuals have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination
Online sexual harassment affects an estimated 40% of adolescent girls globally
In the European Union, 25% of women aged 16-64 have experienced some form of sexual harassment
Approximately 66% of sexual harassment victims pay a financial cost due to medical expenses or legal charges
The global cost of sexual harassment and violence is estimated to be over $150 billion annually, considering healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs
In Pakistan, over 70% of women report experiencing harassment in public spaces
About 32% of men aged 15-24 have experienced some form of harassment or inappropriate behavior
Nearly 50% of women report experiencing harassment in public transport environments
The majority (around 78%) of online harassment victims are women, especially on social media platforms
In France, 35% of women have experienced some form of sexual harassment
In Japan, 30% of women aged 20-39 report harassment in public and private sectors
77% of victims of online harassment experience emotional or psychological distress
63% of women report feeling unsafe in public spaces due to harassment fears
The rate of harassment incidents increases during large public events, with reports rising by 25%
The median age of first experiencing harassment is 17 years old, highlighting teenage vulnerability
In the UK, 60% of women aged 16-24 have experienced street harassment
80% of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face harassment or discrimination in public spaces
Approximately 20% of victims experience repeated harassment over extended periods, leading to severe mental health issues
In China, over 40% of women have experienced harassment in public settings, mostly going unreported

Prevalence of Harassment and Violence Interpretation

Despite widespread awareness, staggering statistics reveal that over 80% of women globally and a significant proportion of marginalized groups continue to endure sexual harassment, underscoring a persistent epidemic that demands urgent systemic change rather than mere statistics.

Regional and Demographic Variations

Regional differences show that harassment prevalence is highest in South Asia and lowest in North America, with incidences 3 times higher

Regional and Demographic Variations Interpretation

Regional disparities reveal that while South Asia grapples with harassment at a rate triple that of North America, addressing these disparities requires both cultural introspection and global urgency to foster safer environments worldwide.

Reporting and Disclosure Patterns

Nearly 60% of harassment cases go unreported
In a survey, 70% of women who experienced harassment did not report the incident
75% of female victims of workplace harassment do not report incidents
95% of women who experience harassment do not file a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation
80% of women who experience workplace harassment do not report it due to fear of job loss or retaliation
Up to 90% of campus sexual assault victims do not report incidents
Only 11% of victims receive adequate support or counseling after incidents of harassment
Safety concerns and fear of stigma prevent nearly 65% of women from reporting street harassment
85% of sexual harassment cases in academic settings remain unreported, leading to underestimation of prevalence
40% of women who experience harassment report it to authorities, but only 10% see those cases lead to disciplinary action
Research indicates that men are less likely than women to recognize certain behaviors as harassment, contributing to underreporting
Global surveys report that only 17% of victims of workplace harassment believe that the legal system effectively addresses their cases
About 10% of male victims in workplaces report harassment due to shame and fear, significantly underestimating actual figures

Reporting and Disclosure Patterns Interpretation

Despite a staggering prevalence of sexual harassment across all settings, the pervasive silence—fueled by fear, stigma, and inadequate support—continues to obscure the true scope of the crisis, revealing that it’s not just the perpetrators who remain unaccountable, but also a society reluctant to confront the dark reality that nearly 9 out of 10 victims never speak out.

Societal Attitudes and Stigma

Only 35% of men worldwide believe that sexual harassment is a serious issue, leading to underreporting
65% of women believe that harassment in public is underreported due to social stigma
54% of victims report feeling shame or guilt post-incident, hindering reporting
55% of women believe that societal attitudes towards gender roles contribute to harassment prevalence
74% of men believe that sexual harassment claims are exaggerated, which hampers efforts to address the issue
45% of young women see harassment as a normal part of social interactions, contributing to underreporting
53% of victims report not seeking help due to fear of damaging their reputation
65% of women worldwide believe societal stigma discourages victims from reporting harassment, leading to underreporting

Societal Attitudes and Stigma Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal a troubling global consensus: societal stigma, gender stereotypes, and disbelief perpetuate a culture of silence around sexual harassment, rendering countless victims invisible and impeding progress toward genuine change.

Workplace Harassment Statistics

In the workplace, women are three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment
50% of women subjected to harassment experience it at work, and nearly 75% of these cases go unreported
52% of women in the workplace have experienced some form of sexual harassment at some point in their careers
The median age of victims experiencing workplace harassment ranges between 35-44 years old
In Australia, 18% of women have faced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace
The average age of victims reporting sexual harassment in the workplace is 40
Workplace sexual harassment reduces employee productivity by approximately 20%
In workplaces with strict anti-harassment policies, incidents decrease by up to 40%
In surveys, 45% of women identified workplace harassment as the primary barrier to career advancement
82% of women who experience harassment at work are hesitant to seek promotions due to fear of retaliation
60% of harassment cases involve unwanted touching or physical advances
Women aged 25-34 are most likely to experience workplace sexual harassment, at a rate of 35%
72% of sexual harassment incidents in workplaces are overlooked or ignored, leading to continued misconduct
Surveys indicate that only 15% of perpetrators are held accountable for sexual harassment, indicating widespread impunity
Workplace training programs reducing harassment have seen up to a 50% decrease in reported cases
The economic impact of sexual harassment is estimated at over $80 billion annually globally due to healthcare costs, lost productivity, and legal expenses
The majority (around 66%) of harassment victims in the military experience harassment from peers rather than superiors
Approximately 25% of professional women globally experience some form of sexual harassment at work annually
Senate and congressional investigations reveal that over 60% of harassment complaints involve repeated offenses rather than a one-time incident

Workplace Harassment Statistics Interpretation

With women facing triple the risk and decimated career prospects due to an alarming silence and impunity—where only 15% of perpetrators face justice—it's clear that despite the progress made with policies reducing incidents by up to 40%, workplace sexual harassment remains a costly, pervasive epidemic demanding urgent, comprehensive change.