GITNUXREPORT 2025

Unreported Sexual Assault Statistics

Over 85% of sexual assaults remain unreported, hindering justice and prevention efforts.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70-80% of sexual assault victims experience PTSD, yet many do not disclose their trauma

Statistic 2

Approximately 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to authorities

Statistic 3

Only about 5 out of every 100 sexual assaults are reported to police

Statistic 4

Around 88% of victims do not report their assault to law enforcement

Statistic 5

Less than half of sexual assault cases reported to police lead to an arrest

Statistic 6

Victims often delay reporting sexual assault, with median delay being 1 year

Statistic 7

Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are twice as likely to experience sexual violence but report it less frequently

Statistic 8

54% of college women who experience sexual assault do not report it

Statistic 9

Up to 85% of sexual assault victims worldwide never report the crime

Statistic 10

Victims of sexual assault are often unaware of resources or afraid of retaliation, contributing to underreporting

Statistic 11

Only about 12% of sexual assault survivors seek formal help, including law enforcement or medical assistance

Statistic 12

Children and adolescents are less likely to report sexual abuse due to fear, shame, or manipulation

Statistic 13

Military sexual assault reports constitute less than 10% of actual incidents, according to estimates

Statistic 14

Socioeconomic factors and fear of losing housing decrease reporting rates among marginalized groups

Statistic 15

The majority of sexual assault cases involving acquaintances are not reported, with estimates around 80%

Statistic 16

Only 13% of sexual assaults involving strangers are reported to police

Statistic 17

Women have a higher reporting rate compared to men, but significant underreporting remains in both groups

Statistic 18

Personal shame and stigma are primary reasons victims choose not to report sexual assault

Statistic 19

The average delay in reporting sexual assault is around 3 years, affecting evidence collection

Statistic 20

Only a small percentage (less than 20%) of reported sexual assaults result in conviction, due to underreporting and evidentiary challenges

Statistic 21

Sexual assault survivors with disabilities face even higher underreporting, with estimates of over 80% unreported

Statistic 22

Ethnic minorities and immigrant populations often experience additional barriers to reporting, contributing to underreporting

Statistic 23

The media often underreports sexual assault statistics, leading to public misconceptions about prevalence

Statistic 24

Sexual assault cases involving minors constitute a significant portion of unreported cases, with many victims afraid to come forward

Statistic 25

The impact of reporting barriers is more severe in rural areas, where access to law enforcement and support services is limited

Statistic 26

Many victims do not report due to fear of not being believed, especially in cases involving consent and ambiguity

Statistic 27

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in underreported sexual violence due to isolation and reduced access to services

Statistic 28

Survivors often face cultural and religious barriers that discourage reporting, especially in conservative communities

Statistic 29

Marijuana and alcohol use are linked to increased likelihood of unreported sexual assaults, due to victim or perpetrator intoxication

Statistic 30

In some cases, police practices and biases contribute to underreporting or mishandling of sexual assault cases, according to studies

Statistic 31

The underreporting of sexual assault perpetuates cycle of violence and societal silence around the issue, hindering prevention efforts

Statistic 32

Many sexual assault survivors do not disclose until years after, often due to ongoing trauma processing

Statistic 33

Youth and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to unreported sexual violence, with many cases hidden due to fear of repercussions

Statistic 34

Studies indicate that sexual assault often goes unreported because of victim-blaming culture and lack of trust in authorities

Statistic 35

Underreporting influences statistics on sexual violence, leading to underfunded prevention and support programs

Statistic 36

Many sexual assault cases are dismissed due to lack of evidence, which is often affected by delayed reporting

Statistic 37

Public awareness campaigns on sexual violence have increased reporting rates but underreporting still remains significant

Statistic 38

The trauma associated with sexual assault often leads to silence among victims, contributing to underreporting

Statistic 39

An estimated 63% of women and 42% of men experience some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime

Statistic 40

75% of sexual assault victims know their attacker

Statistic 41

The rate of unreported sexual assault is higher among marginalized gender identities, including non-binary individuals

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Key Highlights

Approximately 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to authorities
Only about 5 out of every 100 sexual assaults are reported to police
An estimated 63% of women and 42% of men experience some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime
Around 88% of victims do not report their assault to law enforcement
Less than half of sexual assault cases reported to police lead to an arrest
Victims often delay reporting sexual assault, with median delay being 1 year
75% of sexual assault victims know their attacker
Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are twice as likely to experience sexual violence but report it less frequently
54% of college women who experience sexual assault do not report it
Up to 85% of sexual assault victims worldwide never report the crime
Victims of sexual assault are often unaware of resources or afraid of retaliation, contributing to underreporting
Only about 12% of sexual assault survivors seek formal help, including law enforcement or medical assistance
Children and adolescents are less likely to report sexual abuse due to fear, shame, or manipulation

Despite millions of victims suffering in silence, shocking statistics reveal that over 88% of sexual assaults worldwide go unreported, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and societal neglect.

Impacts of Sexual Assault and Barriers to Support

70-80% of sexual assault victims experience PTSD, yet many do not disclose their trauma

Impacts of Sexual Assault and Barriers to Support Interpretation

Behind the silent statistics, a staggering 70-80% of sexual assault survivors suffer PTSD in silence, revealing that the true scope of trauma remains concealed—highlighting the urgent need for a culture of disclosure and support.

Reporting and Underreporting Challenges

Approximately 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to authorities
Only about 5 out of every 100 sexual assaults are reported to police
Around 88% of victims do not report their assault to law enforcement
Less than half of sexual assault cases reported to police lead to an arrest
Victims often delay reporting sexual assault, with median delay being 1 year
Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are twice as likely to experience sexual violence but report it less frequently
54% of college women who experience sexual assault do not report it
Up to 85% of sexual assault victims worldwide never report the crime
Victims of sexual assault are often unaware of resources or afraid of retaliation, contributing to underreporting
Only about 12% of sexual assault survivors seek formal help, including law enforcement or medical assistance
Children and adolescents are less likely to report sexual abuse due to fear, shame, or manipulation
Military sexual assault reports constitute less than 10% of actual incidents, according to estimates
Socioeconomic factors and fear of losing housing decrease reporting rates among marginalized groups
The majority of sexual assault cases involving acquaintances are not reported, with estimates around 80%
Only 13% of sexual assaults involving strangers are reported to police
Women have a higher reporting rate compared to men, but significant underreporting remains in both groups
Personal shame and stigma are primary reasons victims choose not to report sexual assault
The average delay in reporting sexual assault is around 3 years, affecting evidence collection
Only a small percentage (less than 20%) of reported sexual assaults result in conviction, due to underreporting and evidentiary challenges
Sexual assault survivors with disabilities face even higher underreporting, with estimates of over 80% unreported
Ethnic minorities and immigrant populations often experience additional barriers to reporting, contributing to underreporting
The media often underreports sexual assault statistics, leading to public misconceptions about prevalence
Sexual assault cases involving minors constitute a significant portion of unreported cases, with many victims afraid to come forward
The impact of reporting barriers is more severe in rural areas, where access to law enforcement and support services is limited
Many victims do not report due to fear of not being believed, especially in cases involving consent and ambiguity
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in underreported sexual violence due to isolation and reduced access to services
Survivors often face cultural and religious barriers that discourage reporting, especially in conservative communities
Marijuana and alcohol use are linked to increased likelihood of unreported sexual assaults, due to victim or perpetrator intoxication
In some cases, police practices and biases contribute to underreporting or mishandling of sexual assault cases, according to studies
The underreporting of sexual assault perpetuates cycle of violence and societal silence around the issue, hindering prevention efforts
Many sexual assault survivors do not disclose until years after, often due to ongoing trauma processing
Youth and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to unreported sexual violence, with many cases hidden due to fear of repercussions
Studies indicate that sexual assault often goes unreported because of victim-blaming culture and lack of trust in authorities
Underreporting influences statistics on sexual violence, leading to underfunded prevention and support programs
Many sexual assault cases are dismissed due to lack of evidence, which is often affected by delayed reporting
Public awareness campaigns on sexual violence have increased reporting rates but underreporting still remains significant
The trauma associated with sexual assault often leads to silence among victims, contributing to underreporting

Reporting and Underreporting Challenges Interpretation

Despite alarming statistics that reveal over 88% of sexual assaults go unreported—fostering a cultural silence that not only hampers justice but also perpetuates harm—public awareness and systemic reform remain vital to transforming whispers into words and forgotten trauma into decisive action.

Victim Demographics and Vulnerable Populations

An estimated 63% of women and 42% of men experience some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime
75% of sexual assault victims know their attacker
The rate of unreported sexual assault is higher among marginalized gender identities, including non-binary individuals

Victim Demographics and Vulnerable Populations Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that sexual violence is a pervasive, often hidden epidemic—most victims know their assailants, yet the silence persists, especially among marginalized genders, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and systemic change.