GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sexual Statistics

Half of worldwide individuals face sexual violence, revealing urgent global crisis.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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The global average age of first sexual intercourse is around 17 years

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The average age of marriage for girls in some developing countries is below 18, increasing their risk of early sexual violence exposure

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In some regions, men make up a majority of sexual violence survivors, often as a result of sexual assault in conflict or institutional settings

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The majority of victims of sexual violence in conflict settings are women and girls, accounting for approximately 70% of victims

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Studies show that exposure to sexual violence can increase the risk of mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD

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The likelihood of sexual violence increases dramatically during armed conflict and humanitarian crises

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Sexual violence accounts for a significant proportion of violence-related deaths among women globally

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Around 85% of children worldwide have experienced some form of psychological aggression or physical punishment, which can be linked to later sexual violence risks

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Women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence compared to women without disabilities

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About 60% of victims of sexual violence are under the age of 18, highlighting the vulnerability of minors

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The Economic Cost of Sexual Violence in some countries can reach billions of dollars annually due to healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs

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Nearly 80% of women who experience sexual violence do not report it due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in authorities

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Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience intimate partner sexual violence later in life

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Approximately 50% of people worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence

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About 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence

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Approximately 1 in 4 women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual abuse or coercion by their partner

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In the United States, about 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape

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In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced some form of sexual violence involving physical contact

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Globally, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are at increased risk of becoming victims of sexual violence

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Approximately 30% of women who experience intimate partner violence are also sexually assaulted by their partners

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Around 79% of girls and women who experienced sexual violence in conflict areas reported that they experienced it at the hands of an armed group

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In low- and middle-income countries, only about 1 in 10 victims of sexual violence seek medical care

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The prevalence of sexual violence among women in some countries can reach up to 60%

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About 75% of sexual assault perpetrators are known to the victim, often a friend or acquaintance

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Less than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to the police

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In some countries, up to 90% of sexual violence cases are not reported due to stigma and fear

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One in five women in the United States have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact

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About 70% of women in some regions have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives

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In India, 30% of women experience sexual violence during their lifetime, according to national surveys

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World Health Organization estimates that 1% of men globally have experienced sexual violence, often by other men

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Approximately 33% of women who have experienced sexual violence report that their first incident occurred before age 18

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In the United States, about 60% of rapes or sexual assaults are not reported to law enforcement

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In the United States, sexual abuse among incarcerated youth is significantly higher than among non-incarcerated peers

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Roughly 15% of women in the military have reported experiencing sexual harassment

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Female sex workers are at significantly higher risk of experiencing sexual violence, with some reports indicating up to 70% of women reporting abuse

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Internet and technology facilitated sexual abuse and exploitation is on the rise, with reports of increased cases of revenge porn and sextortion

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The prevalence of sexual violence among refugees and internally displaced persons can be up to 50%, according to UNHCR reports

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Crime statistics indicate that sexual assault cases are underreported by at least 60%, highlighting significant gaps in data

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In a survey of college students, approximately 20% reported experiencing some form of sexual assault during their academic career

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Mobile apps and social media are increasingly used to facilitate grooming and sexual abuse, especially among teenagers

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Sexual violence prevention programs have been shown to reduce incidents by up to 20%

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The rate of condom use during first sexual intercourse varies widely, with some countries reporting less than 50%

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Studies suggest that comprehensive sex education can decrease the incidence of sexual violence among youth

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Approximately 10-15% of women globally have experienced some form of female genital mutilation/cutting, which is linked to sexual health and violence issues

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Cultural norms in certain societies normalize or tolerate sexual violence, contributing to higher prevalence rates

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Key Highlights

Approximately 50% of people worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence
About 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence
The global average age of first sexual intercourse is around 17 years
Approximately 1 in 4 women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual abuse or coercion by their partner
In the United States, about 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape
In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced some form of sexual violence involving physical contact
Globally, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are at increased risk of becoming victims of sexual violence
Approximately 30% of women who experience intimate partner violence are also sexually assaulted by their partners
Around 79% of girls and women who experienced sexual violence in conflict areas reported that they experienced it at the hands of an armed group
The majority of victims of sexual violence in conflict settings are women and girls, accounting for approximately 70% of victims
In low- and middle-income countries, only about 1 in 10 victims of sexual violence seek medical care
The prevalence of sexual violence among women in some countries can reach up to 60%
Studies show that exposure to sexual violence can increase the risk of mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD

Despite startling statistics revealing that nearly half of the world’s population has experienced some form of sexual violence, the pervasive underreporting, cultural normalization, and rising digital exploitation underscore the urgent need for comprehensive prevention, education, and support systems globally.

Demographic and Regional Variations

The global average age of first sexual intercourse is around 17 years
The average age of marriage for girls in some developing countries is below 18, increasing their risk of early sexual violence exposure
In some regions, men make up a majority of sexual violence survivors, often as a result of sexual assault in conflict or institutional settings

Demographic and Regional Variations Interpretation

While the global average age of first sexual experience hovers around 17 and early marriage persists in developing nations, it's a sobering reminder that vulnerability to sexual violence disproportionately affects young women and men alike, especially amidst conflict and institutional chaos.

Impact on Women and Vulnerable Populations

The majority of victims of sexual violence in conflict settings are women and girls, accounting for approximately 70% of victims
Studies show that exposure to sexual violence can increase the risk of mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD
The likelihood of sexual violence increases dramatically during armed conflict and humanitarian crises
Sexual violence accounts for a significant proportion of violence-related deaths among women globally
Around 85% of children worldwide have experienced some form of psychological aggression or physical punishment, which can be linked to later sexual violence risks
Women with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence compared to women without disabilities
About 60% of victims of sexual violence are under the age of 18, highlighting the vulnerability of minors
The Economic Cost of Sexual Violence in some countries can reach billions of dollars annually due to healthcare, legal, and lost productivity costs
Nearly 80% of women who experience sexual violence do not report it due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in authorities
Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience intimate partner sexual violence later in life

Impact on Women and Vulnerable Populations Interpretation

Despite the devastating prevalence of sexual violence—particularly among women and children during conflicts—its hidden toll extends beyond physical trauma to erode mental health, perpetuate cycles of abuse, and impose staggering economic and societal costs that often remain unreported and unaddressed.

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Violence

Approximately 50% of people worldwide have experienced some form of sexual violence
About 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence
Approximately 1 in 4 women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual abuse or coercion by their partner
In the United States, about 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape
In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 women have experienced some form of sexual violence involving physical contact
Globally, adolescent girls aged 15-19 are at increased risk of becoming victims of sexual violence
Approximately 30% of women who experience intimate partner violence are also sexually assaulted by their partners
Around 79% of girls and women who experienced sexual violence in conflict areas reported that they experienced it at the hands of an armed group
In low- and middle-income countries, only about 1 in 10 victims of sexual violence seek medical care
The prevalence of sexual violence among women in some countries can reach up to 60%
About 75% of sexual assault perpetrators are known to the victim, often a friend or acquaintance
Less than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to the police
In some countries, up to 90% of sexual violence cases are not reported due to stigma and fear
One in five women in the United States have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact
About 70% of women in some regions have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives
In India, 30% of women experience sexual violence during their lifetime, according to national surveys
World Health Organization estimates that 1% of men globally have experienced sexual violence, often by other men
Approximately 33% of women who have experienced sexual violence report that their first incident occurred before age 18
In the United States, about 60% of rapes or sexual assaults are not reported to law enforcement
In the United States, sexual abuse among incarcerated youth is significantly higher than among non-incarcerated peers
Roughly 15% of women in the military have reported experiencing sexual harassment
Female sex workers are at significantly higher risk of experiencing sexual violence, with some reports indicating up to 70% of women reporting abuse
Internet and technology facilitated sexual abuse and exploitation is on the rise, with reports of increased cases of revenge porn and sextortion
The prevalence of sexual violence among refugees and internally displaced persons can be up to 50%, according to UNHCR reports
Crime statistics indicate that sexual assault cases are underreported by at least 60%, highlighting significant gaps in data
In a survey of college students, approximately 20% reported experiencing some form of sexual assault during their academic career
Mobile apps and social media are increasingly used to facilitate grooming and sexual abuse, especially among teenagers

Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Violence Interpretation

Despite global efforts and increasing awareness, the staggering prevalence and pervasive underreporting of sexual violence—exacerbated by stigma, fear, and systemic failures—reveal that honesty and accountability remain elusive, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that prioritize survivor support and societal change.

Preventive Measures, Programs, and Education

Sexual violence prevention programs have been shown to reduce incidents by up to 20%
The rate of condom use during first sexual intercourse varies widely, with some countries reporting less than 50%
Studies suggest that comprehensive sex education can decrease the incidence of sexual violence among youth

Preventive Measures, Programs, and Education Interpretation

While comprehensive sex education and prevention programs can significantly cut sexual violence and boost safe practices, the wide disparities in condom use during first intercourse highlight the urgent need for global consistency and innovation in sexual health efforts.

Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors

Approximately 10-15% of women globally have experienced some form of female genital mutilation/cutting, which is linked to sexual health and violence issues
Cultural norms in certain societies normalize or tolerate sexual violence, contributing to higher prevalence rates

Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors Interpretation

The sobering reality that 10-15% of women worldwide have endured female genital mutilation—acts rooted in cultural traditions—and the normalization of sexual violence in some societies underscore a troubling intersection of tradition and trauma that demands urgent global action.