Whether whispered in the corridors of power, shouted across a crowded bar, or silently endured on a daily commute, the staggering truth is that sexual harassment is a near-universal scourge, with 81% of women in the US and similarly devastating statistics around the globe having faced it in their lifetimes.
Key Takeaways
- In a 2018 Stop Street Harassment survey of 2,000 adults in the US, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime.
- Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence
- A 2021 YouGov poll found that 97% of women in the UK aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.
- 27% of US college women experience sexual harassment or assault by senior year, per 2019 AAUW.
- Women aged 18-24 are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual harassment online, per 2021 Thorn.
- Black women in US are 1.7 times more likely to report workplace sexual harassment than white women, EEOC 2020.
- 55% of men who experience sexual harassment are under 30, per 2018 SSH.
- 62% of workplace harassers are supervisors or higher, EEOC Select Task Force 2016.
- In street harassment, 70% of perpetrators are strangers, SSH 2018.
- EEOC workplace charges: 80% against male perpetrators, 2022.
- 85% of women in Hollywood experienced harassment, Time's Up 2018.
- Hospitality industry: 58% of women harassed in past year, ROC 2021.
- US campuses: 23% of female undergrads experience nonconsensual sexual contact, AAU 2019.
- 13% of all students experience sexual harassment in K-12 schools annually, AAUW 2011.
- UK universities: 50% of female students harassed, 2018 UUK.
Sexual harassment is a widespread and devastating global epidemic affecting people everywhere.
Demographics of Perpetrators
155% of men who experience sexual harassment are under 30, per 2018 SSH.
Verified262% of workplace harassers are supervisors or higher, EEOC Select Task Force 2016.
Verified3In street harassment, 70% of perpetrators are strangers, SSH 2018.
Verified4Male perpetrators account for 89% of reported sexual harassment cases, RAINN 2022.
Directional525-34 age group men commit 40% of online sexual harassment, Thorn 2021.
Single source6In military, 58% of harassers are peers of same rank, DoD 2021.
Verified7White men comprise 45% of EEOC sexual harassment charges as perpetrators, EEOC 2020.
Verified835% of campus harassers are athletes or fraternity members, per 2019 NASPA.
Verified9Intimate partners perpetrate 51% of women's sexual harassment experiences, CDC NISVS 2016.
Directional10Unemployed men are 1.8 times more likely to harass in public, UK ONS 2021.
Single source1148% of cyber-harassers are ex-partners, EU 2020.
Verified12Senior executives (50+) perpetrate 22% of workplace cases, LeanIn 2021.
Verified13Alcohol-involved perpetrators in 50% of bar/club harassment, WHO 2018.
Verified1430% of harassers in healthcare are male patients, ANA 2022.
Directional15College men 18-24 commit 60% of campus incidents, Clery Act data 2020.
Single source16Repeat offenders account for 15% of all harassment reports, DOJ 2019.
Verified17Blue-collar male workers perpetrate 28% more than white-collar, BLS 2021.
Verified1841% of online harassers are aged 18-29, Pew 2021.
Verified19Foreign-born men in 12% of EU harassment cases, FRA 2022.
Directional2067% of military harassers are male enlisted, RAND 2020.
Single source21Bartenders/security as 20% of nightlife perpetrators, NIJ 2019.
Verified22Politicians/public figures perpetrate 8% of media-reported cases, CPJ 2021.
Verified2352% of harassers know the victim from work/social circle, SSH global 2021.
Verified24Men with criminal records 3x more likely, BJS 2020.
Directional25In tech industry, 65% of harassers are male engineers aged 25-35, Elephant 2022.
Single source2675% of street harassers are male under 40, Cairo study 2019.
VerifiedDemographics of Perpetrators Interpretation
This bleak mosaic reveals sexual harassment to be a pervasive crime of power and proximity, most often perpetrated by younger men who hold positions of authority over, or familiar access to, their victims across every corner of society.
Demographics of Victims
127% of US college women experience sexual harassment or assault by senior year, per 2019 AAUW.
Verified2Women aged 18-24 are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual harassment online, per 2021 Thorn.
Verified3Black women in US are 1.7 times more likely to report workplace sexual harassment than white women, EEOC 2020.
Verified4LGBTQ+ individuals are 2.4 times more likely to experience sexual harassment, per 2019 UCLA Williams Institute.
Directional5Women with disabilities experience sexual harassment at rates 2-3 times higher, per 2018 Bazelon Center.
Single source6In US, 44% of sexual harassment victims are under 25 years old, per 2022 NSVRC analysis.
Verified7Latinx women report 25% higher rates of street harassment than non-Latinx, per 2018 SSH.
Verified8Elderly women over 65 experience 12% lifetime sexual harassment rate in nursing homes, per 2021 NIH.
Verified9Transgender women face 86% lifetime sexual assault rate including harassment, 2015 USTS.
Directional10Rural women in US experience 20% more sexual harassment due to isolation, per 2020 Rural Health Info.
Single source11Single mothers report 35% higher workplace harassment rates, per 2019 IWPR.
Verified12Immigrant women in EU have 40% higher sexual harassment victimization, FRA 2019.
Verified13Low-income women (<$25k/year) report 55% lifetime harassment vs 32% high-income, Pew 2021.
Verified14Women in service industries face 28% harassment rate annually, BLS 2022.
Directional15Asian American women experience cyber-sexual harassment at 22% rate vs 15% overall, Stop AAPI Hate 2021.
Single source16Women veterans report 30% higher sexual trauma rates, VA 2020.
Verified17Teen girls 13-17: 59% experienced online sexual harassment, Thorn 2022.
Verified18Native American women have 2.2 times higher sexual violence rate, CDC 2018.
Verified19Women in STEM fields report 50% harassment rate, NAS 2018.
Directional20Bisexual women 61% lifetime harassment vs 45% lesbian, 2021 Gallup.
Single source21Overweight women experience 25% more body-related harassment, 2019 Dove.
Verified22Divorced women report 40% increase in post-divorce harassment, 2020 APA.
Verified23Women with children under 5 face 18% higher childcare-related harassment, IWPR 2022.
Verified24Middle-aged women 45-64: 38% workplace harassment, AARP 2021.
Directional2572% of female politicians in Latin America faced sexual harassment, UNDP 2020.
Single sourceDemographics of Victims Interpretation
These grim statistics reveal an epidemic so pervasive that sexual harassment has become a brutal rite of passage for women, intensifying along every axis of vulnerability from youth to profession to identity.
Educational and Campus
1US campuses: 23% of female undergrads experience nonconsensual sexual contact, AAU 2019.
Verified213% of all students experience sexual harassment in K-12 schools annually, AAUW 2011.
Verified3UK universities: 50% of female students harassed, 2018 UUK.
Verified4High school girls: 48% sexually harassed by peers, HHS 2010.
Directional5College athletes: 19% of women report coach harassment, NCAA 2014.
Single source6Online student harassment: 37% of college women, 2021 Educause.
Verified7Teacher-to-student harassment: 7% of K-12 girls, GLSEN 2019.
Verified8Fraternity parties: 53% of assaults linked, Harvard 2010.
Verified9Disabled students: 2x harassment rate on campus, DOJ 2016.
Directional10Study abroad: 20% of female students harassed abroad, IIE 2022.
Single source11Faculty-to-student: 51% of women faculty experienced from students, AAUP 2018.
Verified12HBCUs: 25% higher harassment reports, Clery 2021.
Verified13Community colleges: 18% of women students assaulted/harassed, CCSSE 2019.
Verified14Peer bystander intervention low: only 20% act, bystander studies 2020.
Directional15LGBTQ students: 30% harassed sexually on campus, Campus Pride 2021.
Single source16Online classes: 15% increase in harassment post-COVID, 2022 InsideHigherEd.
Verified17Greek life women: 35% harassed at events, Eta Sigma Gamma 2019.
Verified18International students: 28% face harassment, NAFSA 2020.
Verified19Grad students: 43% of women report advisor harassment, SIGMA 2021.
Directional20K-12 teachers: 20% female teachers harassed by students, NEA 2018.
Single source21Dormitory harassment: 12% of residents, HUD 2019.
VerifiedEducational and Campus Interpretation
These statistics reveal a chilling curriculum of harassment, where from playground to postgraduate, too many students learn that their safety is merely an elective the system consistently fails to teach.
Prevalence and Incidence
1In a 2018 Stop Street Harassment survey of 2,000 adults in the US, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime.
Verified2Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence
Verified3A 2021 YouGov poll found that 97% of women in the UK aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.
Verified4According to RAINN, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, totaling over 463,000 victims annually.
Directional5The 2015 US Transgender Survey by NCTE reported that 47% of transgender people were sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Single source6In India, the National Crime Records Bureau 2022 data shows 31,516 cases of sexual harassment were registered under IPC section 354A.
Verified7A 2020 Australian study by ANROWS found 23% of women experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in the past 5 years.
Verified8The EEOC reports that from 2018-2021, charges alleging sexual harassment averaged 7,100 per year.
Verified9In France, a 2021 IFOP survey indicated 100% of women have faced street harassment at least once.
Directional10CDC's 2016-2017 NISVS data shows 25.5% of women experienced sexual violence other than rape by an intimate partner.
Single source11A 2019 Pew Research survey found 59% of US women say they have received unwanted sexual advances or comments.
Verified12In Japan, a 2022 Cabinet Office survey revealed 10.5% of women experienced sexual harassment at work in the past year.
Verified13The 2021 Hollaback! global survey of 16,000 people found 63% experienced street harassment.
Verified14UK Office for National Statistics 2020 data: 2.3 million adults experienced domestic abuse including sexual harassment.
Directional15In South Africa, 2022 HSRC survey showed 42% of women faced sexual harassment in public transport.
Single source16A 2017 EU FRA survey across 28 countries found 55% of women experienced sexual harassment since age 15.
Verified17US military 2021 WGRA: 19.5% of active duty women experienced sexual harassment in past year.
Verified18In Brazil, 2021 Datafolha poll: 52% of women reported sexual harassment in public spaces.
Verified19Canadian 2018 GSS: 43% of women experienced unwanted sexual advances since age 15.
Directional20In Germany, 2020 BMFSFJ survey: 68% of women faced sexual harassment.
Single source21A 2022 UN Women survey in 10 countries: average 45% women experienced online sexual harassment.
Verified22Italy 2021 ISTAT: 24.7% of women aged 16-70 experienced sexual violence or harassment.
Verified23In Mexico, 2022 INEGI: 66.1% of women over 15 have experienced some gender violence including harassment.
Verified24New Zealand 2019 NZCVS: 28% of women experienced sexual harm since age 15.
Directional25In the Philippines, 2021 SWS survey: 17% of women experienced workplace sexual harassment.
Single source26Russia 2020 Levada Center: 30% of women reported street sexual harassment.
Verified27In Nigeria, 2022 NOI Polls: 40% of women in urban areas faced sexual harassment.
Verified28Spain 2021 Macroencuesta: 83% of women experienced non-contact sexual violence like harassment.
Verified29In Turkey, 2022 Konda: 56% of women experienced sexual harassment in lifetime.
Directional30Sweden 2017 NTU survey: 35% of women experienced sexual offenses including harassment.
Single source31Among US women, 81% have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime per 2023 AAUW report.
VerifiedPrevalence and Incidence Interpretation
These statistics are not isolated incidents but a global echo, revealing a sobering truth: sexual harassment is not a rare exception, but a pervasive and relentless condition of life for women and many others worldwide.
Reporting Impacts and Policy
1Only 10% of campus incidents reported, Clery analysis 2022.
Verified2Victims lose $1.8B in wages annually due to harassment quits, IWPR 2017.
Verified375% of victims suffer mental health issues post-harassment, APA 2020.
Verified4EEOC recoveries: $70M for victims in 2022.
Directional5Only 30% of workplace harassment reported, EEOC 2016.
Single source6PTSD rates 33% higher in harassment survivors, NIMH 2019.
Verified7Policy training reduces incidents by 40%, RAND 2021.
Verified860% of unreported cases due to retaliation fear, NSVRC 2022.
Verified9Victims 2.6x more likely to change jobs, Labor Dept 2020.
Directional10#MeToo led to 13.4% increase in reports, 2018 study.
Single source1190% of companies lack effective reporting mechanisms, Deloitte 2021.
Verified12Suicide attempt risk 4x higher for victims, CDC 2019.
Verified13Global policy gaps: only 60 countries criminalize street harassment, World Bank 2022.
Verified14Anonymous reporting boosts by 50%, Gartner 2020.
Directional15Economic cost $2.6B/year in US absenteeism, EverFi 2019.
Single source1642% develop depression, WHO 2021.
Verified17Title IX complaints up 300% post-2011 guidance, ED 2022.
Verified18Bystander programs reduce assaults 17%, meta-analysis 2020.
Verified1970% of victims experience sleep disorders, Sleep Foundation 2021.
Directional20Conviction rates <5% for reported cases, UNODC 2019.
Single sourceReporting Impacts and Policy Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim, absurdly expensive picture of systemic failure, where harassment thrives in the shadows of underreporting and flimsy policies, exacting a devastating human and economic toll that proves prevention isn't just moral, it's cheaper than the colossal cost of cleanup.
Workplace Sexual Harassment
1EEOC workplace charges: 80% against male perpetrators, 2022.
Verified285% of women in Hollywood experienced harassment, Time's Up 2018.
Verified3Hospitality industry: 58% of women harassed in past year, ROC 2021.
Verified4In nursing, 69% of female nurses report patient harassment, ANA 2020.
Directional5Tech sector: 33% of women quit due to harassment, Kapor 2017.
Single source6Retail: 43% of female employees face customer harassment weekly, NRF 2022.
Verified7Legal profession: 38% of women attorneys harassed by clients/colleagues, ABA 2021.
Verified8Journalism: 75% of female journalists faced online/offline harassment, IJF 2021.
Verified9Construction: 74% of women workers experienced harassment, Tradeswomen 2019.
Directional10Academia: 58% of female faculty report harassment, NAS 2018.
Single source11Military contractors: 27% harassment rate for women, SIGAR 2020.
Verified12Finance: 51% of women executives faced harassment, 30% Club 2022.
Verified13Transportation: 66% of female drivers harassed by passengers, Teamsters 2021.
Verified14Entertainment: 87% of women crew experienced harassment, Sundance 2020.
Directional15Government: 42% of female civil servants harassed, OPM 2021.
Single source16Manufacturing: 40% of women on factory floors report daily harassment, AFL-CIO 2019.
Verified17Sports: 47% of female coaches harassed by athletes/parents, NCAA 2022.
Verified18Call centers: 55% of female reps face verbal sexual harassment daily, CWU 2021.
Verified19Fashion: 70% of models under 18 faced harassment, Model Alliance 2020.
Directional20Agriculture: 39% of female farmworkers sexually assaulted/harasssed, USDOL 2019.
Single source21Airlines: 62% of flight attendants report passenger harassment, AFA 2022.
Verified22Education admin: 36% of female principals harassed, NAESP 2021.
Verified23Gaming industry: 60% of women developers harassed, IGDA 2020.
Verified24Oil & Gas: 52% of female rig workers face harassment, API 2019.
Directional25Nonprofits: 31% of female staff harassed by donors/board, NPPC 2022.
Single source26Restaurants: 80% of servers experienced sexual comments/tips, ROC-NY 2016.
VerifiedWorkplace Sexual Harassment Interpretation
It seems sexual harassment is an aggressively effective, industry-agnostic tactic for making women reconsider their careers.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STOPSTREETHARASSMENTstopstreetharassment.orgVisit source
- Reference 2WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 3YOUGOVyougov.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 4RAINNrainn.orgVisit source
- Reference 5TRANSEQUALITYtransequality.orgVisit source
- Reference 6NCRBncrb.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 7ANROWSanrows.org.auVisit source
- Reference 8EEOCeeoc.govVisit source
- Reference 9IFOPifop.comVisit source
- Reference 10CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 11PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 12GENDERgender.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 13ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 14HSRChsrc.ac.zaVisit source
- Reference 15FRAfra.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 16SAPRsapr.milVisit source
- Reference 17DATAFOLHAdatafolha.folha.uol.com.brVisit source
- Reference 18STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 19BMFSFJbmfsfj.deVisit source
- Reference 20UNWOMENunwomen.orgVisit source
- Reference 21ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 22INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 23JUSTICEjustice.govt.nzVisit source
- Reference 24SWSsws.org.phVisit source
- Reference 25LEVADAlevada.ruVisit source
- Reference 26NOI-POLLSnoi-polls.comVisit source
- Reference 27VIOLENCIAGENEROviolenciagenero.igualdad.gob.esVisit source
- Reference 28KONDAkonda.com.trVisit source
- Reference 29BRAbra.seVisit source
- Reference 30AAUWaauw.orgVisit source
- Reference 31THORNthorn.orgVisit source
- Reference 32WILLIAMSINSTITUTEwilliamsinstitute.law.ucla.eduVisit source
- Reference 33BAZELONbazelon.orgVisit source
- Reference 34NSVRCnsvrc.orgVisit source
- Reference 35NIAnia.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 36RURALHEALTHINFOruralhealthinfo.orgVisit source
- Reference 37IWPRiwpr.orgVisit source
- Reference 38BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 39STOPAAPIHATEstopaapihate.orgVisit source
- Reference 40PUBLICHEALTHpublichealth.va.govVisit source
- Reference 41NAPnap.nationalacademies.orgVisit source
- Reference 42NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 43DOVEdove.comVisit source
- Reference 44APAapa.orgVisit source
- Reference 45AARPaarp.orgVisit source
- Reference 46UNDPundp.orgVisit source
- Reference 47NASPAnaspa.orgVisit source
- Reference 48DIGITAL-STRATEGYdigital-strategy.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 49LEANINleanin.orgVisit source
- Reference 50NURSINGWORLDnursingworld.orgVisit source
- Reference 51OPEope.ed.govVisit source
- Reference 52BJSbjs.govVisit source
- Reference 53RANDrand.orgVisit source
- Reference 54NIJnij.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 55CPJcpj.orgVisit source
- Reference 56BJSbjs.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 57ELEPHANTINTHELABelephantinthelab.comVisit source
- Reference 58HARASSMENTTRACKERharassmenttracker.orgVisit source
- Reference 59TIMESUPNOWtimesupnow.comVisit source
- Reference 60RESTAURANTOPPORTUNITYCENTERrestaurantopportunitycenter.orgVisit source
- Reference 61KAPORCENTERkaporcenter.orgVisit source
- Reference 62NRFnrf.comVisit source
- Reference 63AMERICANBARamericanbar.orgVisit source
- Reference 64IFJifj.orgVisit source
- Reference 65TRADESWOMENtradeswomen.orgVisit source
- Reference 66SIGARsigar.milVisit source
- Reference 6730PERCENTCLUB30percentclub.orgVisit source
- Reference 68TEAMSTERteamster.orgVisit source
- Reference 69SUNDANCEsundance.orgVisit source
- Reference 70OPMopm.govVisit source
- Reference 71AFLCIOaflcio.orgVisit source
- Reference 72NCAAncaa.orgVisit source
- Reference 73CWA-UNIONcwa-union.orgVisit source
- Reference 74MODELALLIANCEmodelalliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 75DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 76AFACWAafacwa.orgVisit source
- Reference 77NAESPnaesp.orgVisit source
- Reference 78IGDAigda.orgVisit source
- Reference 79APIapi.orgVisit source
- Reference 80NONPROFITQUARTERLYnonprofitquarterly.orgVisit source
- Reference 81ROCNYrocny.orgVisit source
- Reference 82AAUaau.eduVisit source
- Reference 83UNIVERSITIESUKuniversitiesuk.ac.ukVisit source
- Reference 84HHShhs.govVisit source
- Reference 85EDUCAUSEeducause.eduVisit source
- Reference 86GLSENglsen.orgVisit source
- Reference 87IOPiop.harvard.eduVisit source
- Reference 88ADAada.govVisit source
- Reference 89IIEiie.orgVisit source
- Reference 90AAUPaaup.orgVisit source
- Reference 91CCSSEccsse.orgVisit source
- Reference 92STEPUPPROGRAMstepupprogram.orgVisit source
- Reference 93CAMPUSPRIDEcampuspride.orgVisit source
- Reference 94INSIDEHIGHEREDinsidehighered.comVisit source
- Reference 95ETASIGMAGAMMAetasigmagamma.orgVisit source
- Reference 96NAFSAnafsa.orgVisit source
- Reference 97SIGMAXIsigmaxi.orgVisit source
- Reference 98NEAnea.orgVisit source
- Reference 99HUDhud.govVisit source
- Reference 100CLERYCENTERclerycenter.orgVisit source
- Reference 101NIMHnimh.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 102PAPERSpapers.ssrn.comVisit source
- Reference 103DELOITTEwww2.deloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 104WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 105GARTNERgartner.comVisit source
- Reference 106EVERFIeverfi.comVisit source
- Reference 107EDwww2.ed.govVisit source
- Reference 108NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 109SLEEPFOUNDATIONsleepfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 110UNODCunodc.orgVisit source