GITNUXREPORT 2025

United States Sexual Assault Statistics

U.S. sexual assault victims remain underreported, mainly known perpetrators.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Only 4-6% of rapists were mistakenly identified in DNA evidence, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence

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The rate of false reporting of sexual assault is estimated at around 2-8%, similar to other crimes, which complicates investigations

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The cost of sexual assault to U.S. society is estimated to be over $127 billion annually, including medical costs, lost productivity, and legal expenses

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The dropout rate among victims of sexual assault in college can be as high as 13%, due to trauma and fear

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Only about 37% of sexual assault victims receive counseling or therapy afterward, indicating low utilization of mental health services

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The use of self-defense training can reduce the risk of sexual assault by up to 60%, according to some studies

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Nearly 80% of sexual assault victims of college age report experiencing emotional trauma, yet only about 36% seek mental health treatment

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About 81% of women who experience sexual violence report feeling upset, while 36% seek medical or mental health assistance

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An estimated 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives

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Men account for approximately 10% of sexual assault victims

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The majority of perpetrators (around 91%) are male

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Approximately 80% of female victims know their attacker

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A survey revealed that 1 in 4 women has experienced attempted or completed sexual assault during college years

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The prevalence of sexual assault among college-aged women is approximately 20%

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Over 80% of sexual assault survivors experience some form of emotional, psychological, or physical impact

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The “rape kit backlog” in the U.S. is estimated at over 17,000 untested kits

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Approximately 1,500 cases of sexual assault are reported by college students annually

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The majority of sexual violence incidents occur in the victim’s own home or someone they know personally

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Approximately 75% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator

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The rate of sexual assault for LGBTQ+ individuals is significantly higher than for heterosexual individuals, with estimates suggesting up to 40%

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The prevalence of sexual assault among high school students is about 7%, according to national surveys

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The majority of sexual assaults occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., with higher incidents reported during weekends

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The majority of college sexual assaults occur on or near campus, with estimates around 80%

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Approximately 90% of sexual assault survivors know their attacker, emphasizing the personal nature of most crimes

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The cumulative number of sexual assault cases reported in the U.S. has increased by approximately 30% over the past decade, indicating rising awareness or prevalence

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About 55% of rapes occur during the summer months, possibly due to increased social activity

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The majority of sexual assault victims are female, but the number of male victims has been increasing, with estimates now at around 12-15%

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Approximately 64% of college women who experience sexual assault are assaulted by someone they knew, usually a peer

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Only 8% of rapes involve use of a weapon, suggesting most assaults do not involve physical force with weapons

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The prevalence of sexual assault among males aged 18-24 is estimated around 2-3%, or approximately 1 in 33, based on survey data

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Most sexual assaults are committed by known individuals, such as partners, friends, or acquaintances, with more than 80% of reports involving these relationships

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Only about 2% of rapes are committed by strangers, pointing to the personal nature of most assaults

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The legal definition of sexual assault varies by state but generally includes forcible sexual intercourse, threats, or coercion, making reporting and prosecution inconsistent

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About 11% of college women and 4% of college men are sexually assaulted annually, according to survey data

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Roughly 1 in 4 sexual assault victims experience multiple assaults, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior

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Data suggests that sexual assault has a high prevalence among Native American women, with some estimates reporting rates up to 2.5 times that of the general population

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Approximately 40% of sexual assault victims suffer long-term mental health issues, including depression and PTSD, due to their experiences

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The percentage of college students who experience sexual harassment and assault combined exceeds 50%, highlighting pervasive issues on campuses

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About 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police

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Only about 26% of sexual assault incidents are reported to law enforcement

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The average delay between assault and report to authorities is nearly 17 years

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Less than 1 in 10 sexual assaults are reported to the authorities and lead to arrest

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The National Sexual Assault Hotline received over 332,000 calls in 2022

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Only 6% of rapes are reported to the police that lead to conviction

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The likelihood of reporting sexual assault decreases significantly if the victim knows the attacker

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Only about 11% of sexual assault victims report to law enforcement when the attacker is a stranger

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Less than 1 in 20 sexual assault cases involve evidence of physical injury, making many assaults difficult to prove

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Approximately 75% of female victims do not report sexual violence due to fear of retaliation or shame

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Male victims of sexual assault often face greater stigma and underreporting than female victims, with estimates suggesting only 15% of male assault victims report the crime

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Reports indicate that less than 10% of domestic sexual violence incidents are reported to police

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Sexual assault is estimated to be underreported by a factor of 4 to 10, making the actual incidence much higher

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The presence of additional drugs or alcohol during an assault increases the perpetrator’s chance to go unpunished, as physical evidence may be less available

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There is a higher reported prevalence of sexual assault in urban areas compared to rural areas, possibly due to reporting differences or population density

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The majority of sexual assault survivors are hesitant to report due to fear of not being believed, which affects reporting rates

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Young women aged 16-24 are most at risk for sexual assault, accounting for nearly 44% of victims

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About 65% of sexual assault victims under 18 are assaulted by someone they know

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The average age of sexual assault victims is around 16-17 years old

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Women with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than women without disabilities

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People aged 25-34 are among the most affected by sexual violence, accounting for nearly 23% of victims

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About 60% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, indicating the vulnerability of minors

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1 in 3 rape victims experience childhood sexual abuse before the age of 13, highlighting early trauma

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Victims of sexual assault are more likely to experience homelessness, with estimates suggesting up to 25% of homeless youth have experienced sexual violence

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Key Highlights

An estimated 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives
About 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police
Young women aged 16-24 are most at risk for sexual assault, accounting for nearly 44% of victims
Men account for approximately 10% of sexual assault victims
Only about 26% of sexual assault incidents are reported to law enforcement
The majority of perpetrators (around 91%) are male
Approximately 80% of female victims know their attacker
The average delay between assault and report to authorities is nearly 17 years
Less than 1 in 10 sexual assaults are reported to the authorities and lead to arrest
The National Sexual Assault Hotline received over 332,000 calls in 2022
A survey revealed that 1 in 4 women has experienced attempted or completed sexual assault during college years
Only 6% of rapes are reported to the police that lead to conviction
The prevalence of sexual assault among college-aged women is approximately 20%

Despite shocking statistics revealing that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. have been sexually assaulted—largely unreported, often close to home, and with victims experiencing long-lasting trauma—public awareness continues to grow as the nation grapples with the true scope and societal impact of this pervasive crisis.

False Reporting and Data Reliability

Only 4-6% of rapists were mistakenly identified in DNA evidence, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence
The rate of false reporting of sexual assault is estimated at around 2-8%, similar to other crimes, which complicates investigations

False Reporting and Data Reliability Interpretation

While DNA evidence firmly pinpoints the guilty in most sexual assault cases, the small but significant false reporting rate underscores the delicate balance law enforcement must maintain to pursue justice without being misled.

Impact on College and Young Adults

The cost of sexual assault to U.S. society is estimated to be over $127 billion annually, including medical costs, lost productivity, and legal expenses
The dropout rate among victims of sexual assault in college can be as high as 13%, due to trauma and fear
Only about 37% of sexual assault victims receive counseling or therapy afterward, indicating low utilization of mental health services
The use of self-defense training can reduce the risk of sexual assault by up to 60%, according to some studies
Nearly 80% of sexual assault victims of college age report experiencing emotional trauma, yet only about 36% seek mental health treatment
About 81% of women who experience sexual violence report feeling upset, while 36% seek medical or mental health assistance

Impact on College and Young Adults Interpretation

These stark statistics reveal a society burdened not only by a $127 billion annual cost due to sexual assault but also by a profound silence and gap in mental health support, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive prevention, education, and accessible care.

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Assault

An estimated 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some point in their lives
Men account for approximately 10% of sexual assault victims
The majority of perpetrators (around 91%) are male
Approximately 80% of female victims know their attacker
A survey revealed that 1 in 4 women has experienced attempted or completed sexual assault during college years
The prevalence of sexual assault among college-aged women is approximately 20%
Over 80% of sexual assault survivors experience some form of emotional, psychological, or physical impact
The “rape kit backlog” in the U.S. is estimated at over 17,000 untested kits
Approximately 1,500 cases of sexual assault are reported by college students annually
The majority of sexual violence incidents occur in the victim’s own home or someone they know personally
Approximately 75% of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator
The rate of sexual assault for LGBTQ+ individuals is significantly higher than for heterosexual individuals, with estimates suggesting up to 40%
The prevalence of sexual assault among high school students is about 7%, according to national surveys
The majority of sexual assaults occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., with higher incidents reported during weekends
The majority of college sexual assaults occur on or near campus, with estimates around 80%
Approximately 90% of sexual assault survivors know their attacker, emphasizing the personal nature of most crimes
The cumulative number of sexual assault cases reported in the U.S. has increased by approximately 30% over the past decade, indicating rising awareness or prevalence
About 55% of rapes occur during the summer months, possibly due to increased social activity
The majority of sexual assault victims are female, but the number of male victims has been increasing, with estimates now at around 12-15%
Approximately 64% of college women who experience sexual assault are assaulted by someone they knew, usually a peer
Only 8% of rapes involve use of a weapon, suggesting most assaults do not involve physical force with weapons
The prevalence of sexual assault among males aged 18-24 is estimated around 2-3%, or approximately 1 in 33, based on survey data
Most sexual assaults are committed by known individuals, such as partners, friends, or acquaintances, with more than 80% of reports involving these relationships
Only about 2% of rapes are committed by strangers, pointing to the personal nature of most assaults
The legal definition of sexual assault varies by state but generally includes forcible sexual intercourse, threats, or coercion, making reporting and prosecution inconsistent
About 11% of college women and 4% of college men are sexually assaulted annually, according to survey data
Roughly 1 in 4 sexual assault victims experience multiple assaults, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior
Data suggests that sexual assault has a high prevalence among Native American women, with some estimates reporting rates up to 2.5 times that of the general population
Approximately 40% of sexual assault victims suffer long-term mental health issues, including depression and PTSD, due to their experiences
The percentage of college students who experience sexual harassment and assault combined exceeds 50%, highlighting pervasive issues on campuses

Prevalence and Demographics of Sexual Assault Interpretation

Despite increased awareness and ongoing efforts, the stark reality remains that most sexual assaults—over 80%—are committed by someone close to the victim, predominantly male, which underscores the urgent need to challenge societal norms, improve accountability, and foster safer environments both on and off college campuses.

Reporting and Underreporting of Incidents

About 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police
Only about 26% of sexual assault incidents are reported to law enforcement
The average delay between assault and report to authorities is nearly 17 years
Less than 1 in 10 sexual assaults are reported to the authorities and lead to arrest
The National Sexual Assault Hotline received over 332,000 calls in 2022
Only 6% of rapes are reported to the police that lead to conviction
The likelihood of reporting sexual assault decreases significantly if the victim knows the attacker
Only about 11% of sexual assault victims report to law enforcement when the attacker is a stranger
Less than 1 in 20 sexual assault cases involve evidence of physical injury, making many assaults difficult to prove
Approximately 75% of female victims do not report sexual violence due to fear of retaliation or shame
Male victims of sexual assault often face greater stigma and underreporting than female victims, with estimates suggesting only 15% of male assault victims report the crime
Reports indicate that less than 10% of domestic sexual violence incidents are reported to police
Sexual assault is estimated to be underreported by a factor of 4 to 10, making the actual incidence much higher
The presence of additional drugs or alcohol during an assault increases the perpetrator’s chance to go unpunished, as physical evidence may be less available
There is a higher reported prevalence of sexual assault in urban areas compared to rural areas, possibly due to reporting differences or population density
The majority of sexual assault survivors are hesitant to report due to fear of not being believed, which affects reporting rates

Reporting and Underreporting of Incidents Interpretation

Despite over 330,000 calls to hotlines annually, the stark reality remains that less than 1 in 10 sexual assaults are reported or lead to conviction, highlighting that for many victims, silence is still the most common response—particularly when fear of disbelief, retaliation, or the perpetrator’s familiarity overshadow the pursuit of justice in a system that underestimates the true scope of the crisis.

Vulnerable Populations and Age Groups

Young women aged 16-24 are most at risk for sexual assault, accounting for nearly 44% of victims
About 65% of sexual assault victims under 18 are assaulted by someone they know
The average age of sexual assault victims is around 16-17 years old
Women with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than women without disabilities
People aged 25-34 are among the most affected by sexual violence, accounting for nearly 23% of victims
About 60% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18, indicating the vulnerability of minors
1 in 3 rape victims experience childhood sexual abuse before the age of 13, highlighting early trauma
Victims of sexual assault are more likely to experience homelessness, with estimates suggesting up to 25% of homeless youth have experienced sexual violence

Vulnerable Populations and Age Groups Interpretation

These stark statistics illuminate a disturbing pattern: young women, especially minors and those with disabilities, are disproportionately vulnerable to assault—often by acquaintances—and the cycle of trauma frequently begins in childhood, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and support systems.