Sexual Assault Statistics
Contains:
Louisiana Sexual Assault Statistics
The rate of forcible rapes in 2009 in Louisiana was estimated at 30.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
The rate of forcible rapes in 2009 in Louisiana was estimated at 30.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
Campus Sexual Assault Statistics
In a nationally representative survey of adults, 37.4% of female rape victims were first raped between ages 18-24.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In a study of undergraduate women, 19% experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.
Krebs CP, Linquist CH, Warner TD, Fisher BS, Martin SL. College women’s experiences with physically forced, alcohol- or other drug-enabled, and drug-facilitated sexual assault before and since entering college. Journal of American College Health 2009; 57(6):639-647.
It is estimated that between 20% and 25% of women will experience a completed and/or attempted rape during their college career.
Fisher, B.S., F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. Sexual Victimization of College Women. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Freshmen and sophomore women appear to be at greater risk of being victims of sexual assault than are upperclassmen. A recent study employing a convenience sample of university women found that 84% of the women who reported sexually coercive experiences experienced the incident during their first four semesters on campus.
Gross, A.M., A. Winslett, M. Roberts, and C.L. Gohm. (2006). "An Examination of Sexual Violence Against College Women," Violence Against Women. 12(3): 288-300.
One study found that students living in sorority houses (3 times at risk) and on-campus dormitories (1.4 times at risk) were more likely to be raped than students living off-campus.
Mohler-Kuo, M., G. Dowdall, M. Koss, and H. Wechsler. "Correlates of Rape While Intoxicated in a National Sample of College Women." Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 65. (2004): 37-45.
More than half of raped college women tell no one of their victimization.
National Violence Against Women Survey. Office of Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1995-2000
19% of women reported experiencing completed or attempted sexual assault since entering college.
84% of the college women who reported a sexual assault experienced the incident during their freshman or sophomore years.
85% of victims were assaulted by someone they knew, usually a fellow student.
Krebs, C, Lindquist, C., Warner, T., Fisher, B, Martin, S. December, (2007). The Campus Sexual Assault Study. National Institute of Justice.
13.3% of college women indicated that they have been forced to have sex in a dating situation.
Johnson and Sigler. (2000). “Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Intimates,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15(1), 95-108.
One study found that of college-aged women who answered affirmatively to having been sexually victimized while in college, 38% had first been victims prior to entering college- making past victimization the best predictor of future victimization.
“Our Vulnerable Teenagers: Their Victimization, Its Consequences, and Directions for Prevention and Intervention,” National Council on Crime and Delinquency, The National Center for Victims of Crime, May 2002.
At least 50% of college student sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use.
“High Risk Drinking in College: What We Know and What We Need to Learn,” NIAAA Reports, April 2002.
75% of male students and 55% of female students involved in date rape had been drinking or using drugs.
National Violence Against Women Survey. Office of Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1995-2000.
Because rates of alcohol consumption are higher among white college students than among their African-American peers, it is not surprising that alcohol-related sexual assaults appear to be more common among white college students.
“High Risk Drinking in College: What We Know and What We Need to Learn,” NIAAA Reports, April 2002.
Fraternity men have been identified as being more likely to perpetrate sexual assault or sexual aggression than nonfraternity men.
Tyler, K.A., D.R. Hoyt and L.B. Whitbeck. (1998). “Coercive Sexual Strategies,” Violence and Victims, 13(1), 47-61.
Lackie, L. and A.F. deMan. (1997). “Correlates of Sexual Aggression Among Male University Students,” Sex Roles, 37, 451-457.
A recent study found that college men who had participated in aggressive sports (including football, basketball, wrestling and soccer) in high school used more sexual coercion (along with physical and psychological aggression) in their college dating relationships than men who had not. This group also scored higher on attitundal measures thought to be associated with sexual coercion, such as sexism, acceptance of violence, hostility toward women, and rape myth acceptance.
Forbes, G.B., L.E. Adams-Curtis, A.H. Pakalka, and K.B. White. (2006). “Dating Aggression, Sexual Coercion, and Aggression-Supporting Attitudes Among College Men as a Function of Participation in Aggressive High School Sports,” Violence Against Women, 12, 441-455.
In a nationally representative survey of adults, 37.4% of female rape victims were first raped between ages 18-24.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In a study of undergraduate women, 19% experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.
Krebs CP, Linquist CH, Warner TD, Fisher BS, Martin SL. College women’s experiences with physically forced, alcohol- or other drug-enabled, and drug-facilitated sexual assault before and since entering college. Journal of American College Health 2009; 57(6):639-647.
It is estimated that between 20% and 25% of women will experience a completed and/or attempted rape during their college career.
Fisher, B.S., F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. Sexual Victimization of College Women. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Freshmen and sophomore women appear to be at greater risk of being victims of sexual assault than are upperclassmen. A recent study employing a convenience sample of university women found that 84% of the women who reported sexually coercive experiences experienced the incident during their first four semesters on campus.
Gross, A.M., A. Winslett, M. Roberts, and C.L. Gohm. (2006). "An Examination of Sexual Violence Against College Women," Violence Against Women. 12(3): 288-300.
One study found that students living in sorority houses (3 times at risk) and on-campus dormitories (1.4 times at risk) were more likely to be raped than students living off-campus.
Mohler-Kuo, M., G. Dowdall, M. Koss, and H. Wechsler. "Correlates of Rape While Intoxicated in a National Sample of College Women." Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 65. (2004): 37-45.
More than half of raped college women tell no one of their victimization.
National Violence Against Women Survey. Office of Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1995-2000
19% of women reported experiencing completed or attempted sexual assault since entering college.
84% of the college women who reported a sexual assault experienced the incident during their freshman or sophomore years.
85% of victims were assaulted by someone they knew, usually a fellow student.
Krebs, C, Lindquist, C., Warner, T., Fisher, B, Martin, S. December, (2007). The Campus Sexual Assault Study. National Institute of Justice.
13.3% of college women indicated that they have been forced to have sex in a dating situation.
Johnson and Sigler. (2000). “Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Intimates,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15(1), 95-108.
One study found that of college-aged women who answered affirmatively to having been sexually victimized while in college, 38% had first been victims prior to entering college- making past victimization the best predictor of future victimization.
“Our Vulnerable Teenagers: Their Victimization, Its Consequences, and Directions for Prevention and Intervention,” National Council on Crime and Delinquency, The National Center for Victims of Crime, May 2002.
At least 50% of college student sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use.
“High Risk Drinking in College: What We Know and What We Need to Learn,” NIAAA Reports, April 2002.
75% of male students and 55% of female students involved in date rape had been drinking or using drugs.
National Violence Against Women Survey. Office of Juvenile Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1995-2000.
Because rates of alcohol consumption are higher among white college students than among their African-American peers, it is not surprising that alcohol-related sexual assaults appear to be more common among white college students.
“High Risk Drinking in College: What We Know and What We Need to Learn,” NIAAA Reports, April 2002.
Fraternity men have been identified as being more likely to perpetrate sexual assault or sexual aggression than nonfraternity men.
Tyler, K.A., D.R. Hoyt and L.B. Whitbeck. (1998). “Coercive Sexual Strategies,” Violence and Victims, 13(1), 47-61.
Lackie, L. and A.F. deMan. (1997). “Correlates of Sexual Aggression Among Male University Students,” Sex Roles, 37, 451-457.
A recent study found that college men who had participated in aggressive sports (including football, basketball, wrestling and soccer) in high school used more sexual coercion (along with physical and psychological aggression) in their college dating relationships than men who had not. This group also scored higher on attitundal measures thought to be associated with sexual coercion, such as sexism, acceptance of violence, hostility toward women, and rape myth acceptance.
Forbes, G.B., L.E. Adams-Curtis, A.H. Pakalka, and K.B. White. (2006). “Dating Aggression, Sexual Coercion, and Aggression-Supporting Attitudes Among College Men as a Function of Participation in Aggressive High School Sports,” Violence Against Women, 12, 441-455.
Female Sexual Assault Statistics
1 in 5 women (18.3%) in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
The rate of forcible rapes in the United States in 2009 was estimated at 56.6 per 100,000 female inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
Females were at higher risk of stalking victimization than males. During the study period, females experienced 20 stalking victimizations per 1,000 females age 18 or older. The rate of stalking victimization for males was approximately 7 per 1,000 males age 18 or older.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Female victims of stalking were significantly more likely to be stalked by a male (67%) than by a female (24%) offender.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
9 out of 10 rape victims were female in 2003.
2003 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2003.
Four out of five (80%) of the rapes against females were committed by males.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
73% of female victims of rape knew their attacker.
28% of female rape or sexual assault victims identified an intimate as the offender.
38% of rape and sexual assault victimizations came at the hands of someone the female victim called a friend or acquaintance.
7% were identified as “other relative.”
Catalano, Shannan. Criminal Victimization, 2005. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2006.
Over 11% of high school girls report having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse.
Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., et al. (2010). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance- United States 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 1-148.
Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape. Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for females.
2004 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2004.
Lifetime rate of rape or attempted rape for women by race:
• All women: 17.6%
• White women: 17.7%
• Black women: 18.8%
• Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8%
• American Indian/ Alaskan women: 34.1%
• Mixed race women: 24.4%
Tjaden, Patricia and Nancy Thoennes. Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1998.
1 in 5 women (18.3%) in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
The rate of forcible rapes in the United States in 2009 was estimated at 56.6 per 100,000 female inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
Females were at higher risk of stalking victimization than males. During the study period, females experienced 20 stalking victimizations per 1,000 females age 18 or older. The rate of stalking victimization for males was approximately 7 per 1,000 males age 18 or older.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Female victims of stalking were significantly more likely to be stalked by a male (67%) than by a female (24%) offender.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
9 out of 10 rape victims were female in 2003.
2003 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2003.
Four out of five (80%) of the rapes against females were committed by males.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
73% of female victims of rape knew their attacker.
28% of female rape or sexual assault victims identified an intimate as the offender.
38% of rape and sexual assault victimizations came at the hands of someone the female victim called a friend or acquaintance.
7% were identified as “other relative.”
Catalano, Shannan. Criminal Victimization, 2005. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2006.
Over 11% of high school girls report having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse.
Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., et al. (2010). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance- United States 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 1-148.
Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape. Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for females.
2004 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2004.
Lifetime rate of rape or attempted rape for women by race:
• All women: 17.6%
• White women: 17.7%
• Black women: 18.8%
• Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8%
• American Indian/ Alaskan women: 34.1%
• Mixed race women: 24.4%
Tjaden, Patricia and Nancy Thoennes. Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1998.
Male Sexual Assault Statistics
1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
4.8% of men reported they were made to penetrate someone else at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were male.
2003 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2003.
About 3% of American men- or 1 in 33- have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1998.
Juveniles (youth ages 17 and under) account for almost 90% of male victims in every type of sex crime. In other word, male sexual victimization almost entirely involves juveniles.
Finkelhor, David and Richard Ormond. Characteristics of Crimes Against Juveniles. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. June 2002.
Males were as likely to report being stalked by a male as a female offender. Forty-three percent of male stalking victims stated that the offender was female, while 41% of male victims stated that the offender was another male.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009
1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
4.8% of men reported they were made to penetrate someone else at some time in their lives.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were male.
2003 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2003.
About 3% of American men- or 1 in 33- have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1998.
Juveniles (youth ages 17 and under) account for almost 90% of male victims in every type of sex crime. In other word, male sexual victimization almost entirely involves juveniles.
Finkelhor, David and Richard Ormond. Characteristics of Crimes Against Juveniles. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. June 2002.
Males were as likely to report being stalked by a male as a female offender. Forty-three percent of male stalking victims stated that the offender was female, while 41% of male victims stated that the offender was another male.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009
Sex Offender Statistics
In a nationally representative survey:
• Among female rape victims, perpetrators were reported to be intimate partners (51.1%), family members (12.5%), acquaintances (40.8%) and strangers (13.8%).
• Among male rape victims, perpetrators were reported to be acquaintances (52.4%) and strangers (15.1%).
• Among male victims who were made to penetrate someone else, perpetrators were reported to be intimate partners (44.8%), acquaintances (44.7%) and strangers (8.2%).
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
99% of people who rape are men.
Greenfeld, L.A. Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
The National College Women Sexual Victimization study showed that respondents reported that the perpetrator was of the same race as the victim in nearly 80% of the incidents.
Fisher, B.S., L.E. Daigle, F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. (2003). Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 30(1):6-38.
The average age of a rapist is 31 years old.
52% of rapists are white.
22% of imprisoned rapists report they are married.
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
In 1 in 3 sexual assaults, the perpetrator was intoxicated.
• 30% with alcohol
• 4% with drugs
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
Juveniles are responsible for victimizing 40% of the child sexual assault victims under six years of age.
Snyder, Howard. Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Adult child abusers have 10 times more victims than offenders who rape adults.
Child abusers have an average of 76 victims whereas a rapist has an average of 7 victims.
Abel, G. and N. Harlow. “The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study,” Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute. 2001.
An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime.
Elliott, M., K. Browne and J. Kilcoyne. (1995). Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What Offenders Tell Us. Child Abuse & Neglect. 5, 579-594.
The overwhelming majority of molesters (68%) sexually abuse children in their own families.
Abel, G. and N. Harlow. “The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study,” Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute. 2001.
Most child sexual assault is perpetrated by men who are heterosexual and do not find sex with other men at all attractive. Many child molesters abuses both boys and girls.
Source: Hunter, “Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse,” 1990.
In 2001, 11% of rapes involved the use of a weapon.
• 3% used a gun
• 6% used a knife
• 2% used another form of weapon
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
A study of imprisoned sex offenders found that they committed sex crimes for an average of 16 years before they were caught.
Ahimeyer, S., K. English, and D. Simons. “The Impact of Polygraphy on Admissions of Crossover Offending Behavior in Adult Sexual Offenders,” Presentation at the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers 18th Annual Research and Treatment Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL. 1999.
A 1997 study reported that 40% of convicted rape and sexual assault offenders in state prison said they were drinking at the time of their crime.
Greenfeld, L. and M. Henneberg. (2001). Victim and Offender Self-Reports of Alcohol Involvement in Crime. Alcohol Research and Health, 25(1), 20-31.
Not even 1% of the entire prison population in the U.S. (both male and female) consists of female sex offenders.
James, Doris. Profile of Jail Inmates, 2002. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. July 2004.
In a nationally representative survey:
• Among female rape victims, perpetrators were reported to be intimate partners (51.1%), family members (12.5%), acquaintances (40.8%) and strangers (13.8%).
• Among male rape victims, perpetrators were reported to be acquaintances (52.4%) and strangers (15.1%).
• Among male victims who were made to penetrate someone else, perpetrators were reported to be intimate partners (44.8%), acquaintances (44.7%) and strangers (8.2%).
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
99% of people who rape are men.
Greenfeld, L.A. Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
The National College Women Sexual Victimization study showed that respondents reported that the perpetrator was of the same race as the victim in nearly 80% of the incidents.
Fisher, B.S., L.E. Daigle, F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. (2003). Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 30(1):6-38.
The average age of a rapist is 31 years old.
52% of rapists are white.
22% of imprisoned rapists report they are married.
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
In 1 in 3 sexual assaults, the perpetrator was intoxicated.
• 30% with alcohol
• 4% with drugs
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
Juveniles are responsible for victimizing 40% of the child sexual assault victims under six years of age.
Snyder, Howard. Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Adult child abusers have 10 times more victims than offenders who rape adults.
Child abusers have an average of 76 victims whereas a rapist has an average of 7 victims.
Abel, G. and N. Harlow. “The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study,” Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute. 2001.
An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime.
Elliott, M., K. Browne and J. Kilcoyne. (1995). Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What Offenders Tell Us. Child Abuse & Neglect. 5, 579-594.
The overwhelming majority of molesters (68%) sexually abuse children in their own families.
Abel, G. and N. Harlow. “The Abel and Harlow Child Molestation Prevention Study,” Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute. 2001.
Most child sexual assault is perpetrated by men who are heterosexual and do not find sex with other men at all attractive. Many child molesters abuses both boys and girls.
Source: Hunter, “Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse,” 1990.
In 2001, 11% of rapes involved the use of a weapon.
• 3% used a gun
• 6% used a knife
• 2% used another form of weapon
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997.
A study of imprisoned sex offenders found that they committed sex crimes for an average of 16 years before they were caught.
Ahimeyer, S., K. English, and D. Simons. “The Impact of Polygraphy on Admissions of Crossover Offending Behavior in Adult Sexual Offenders,” Presentation at the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers 18th Annual Research and Treatment Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL. 1999.
A 1997 study reported that 40% of convicted rape and sexual assault offenders in state prison said they were drinking at the time of their crime.
Greenfeld, L. and M. Henneberg. (2001). Victim and Offender Self-Reports of Alcohol Involvement in Crime. Alcohol Research and Health, 25(1), 20-31.
Not even 1% of the entire prison population in the U.S. (both male and female) consists of female sex offenders.
James, Doris. Profile of Jail Inmates, 2002. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. July 2004.
Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Statistics
90% of acquaintance rapes involve alcohol.
National Collegiate Date and Acquaintance Rape Statistics. 1996.
Sexual assaults involving alcohol consumption are more likely than other sexual assaults to occur between men and women who do not know each other well (e.g., strangers, acquaintances, or casual dates as opposed to steady dates or spouses). Furthermore, alcohol-involved sexual assaults tend to occur at parties or in bars, rather than in either person’s home.
Abbey, Antonia, T. Zawacki, P. Buck, M. Clinton and P. McAuslan. (2001). “Alcohol and Sexual Assault,” Alcohol Research and Health, 25(1).
In the National College Women Sexual Victimization study, 43% of the sexual victimization incidents involved alcohol consumption by victims and 69% involved alcohol consumption by the perpetrators.
Fisher, B.S., Daigle, L.E., Cullen, F.T., & Turner, M.G. Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 30(1):6-38.
Teenagers with alcohol and drug problems are 6 to 12 times more likely to have a history of being physically abused and 18 to 21 times more likely to have been sexually abused than those without alcohol and drug problems.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Nearly 90% of alcoholic women were sexually abused as children or suffered severe violence at the hands of a parent.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
75% of women in treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse report having been sexually abused.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
90% of acquaintance rapes involve alcohol.
National Collegiate Date and Acquaintance Rape Statistics. 1996.
Sexual assaults involving alcohol consumption are more likely than other sexual assaults to occur between men and women who do not know each other well (e.g., strangers, acquaintances, or casual dates as opposed to steady dates or spouses). Furthermore, alcohol-involved sexual assaults tend to occur at parties or in bars, rather than in either person’s home.
Abbey, Antonia, T. Zawacki, P. Buck, M. Clinton and P. McAuslan. (2001). “Alcohol and Sexual Assault,” Alcohol Research and Health, 25(1).
In the National College Women Sexual Victimization study, 43% of the sexual victimization incidents involved alcohol consumption by victims and 69% involved alcohol consumption by the perpetrators.
Fisher, B.S., Daigle, L.E., Cullen, F.T., & Turner, M.G. Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 30(1):6-38.
Teenagers with alcohol and drug problems are 6 to 12 times more likely to have a history of being physically abused and 18 to 21 times more likely to have been sexually abused than those without alcohol and drug problems.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Nearly 90% of alcoholic women were sexually abused as children or suffered severe violence at the hands of a parent.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
75% of women in treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse report having been sexually abused.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Statistics on the Possible Effects of Sexual Assault or Rape
Victims of sexual assault are:
• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
• 6 times more likely to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
• 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
Source: World Health Organization. 2002.
Chances that a woman will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after being raped are between 50% and 95%.
Population Information Program. “Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women.” The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. December 1999.
50% of sexual assault victims lost their jobs or were forced to quit after being raped.
Ellis, E.M., B.M. Atkeson, and K.S. Calhoun. (1993) “An Assessment of Long Term Reaction to Rape,” Abnormal Psychology, 90, 263-264.
Sexual abuse and physical abuse have been identified as significant childhood risk factors for the development of addiction in adulthood.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Girls who were raped are about three times more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders.
Kendler, Kenneth S., et al. Archives of General Psychiatry. Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University. 2000.
Sexual and domestic violence are linked to a wide range of reproductive health issues including sexually transmitted disease and HIV transmission, miscarriages, risky sexual health behaviors and more.
Violence Against Women: Effects on Reproductive Health. Outlook 20(1). 2002.
Victims of sexual assault are:
• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
• 6 times more likely to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
• 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
Source: World Health Organization. 2002.
Chances that a woman will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after being raped are between 50% and 95%.
Population Information Program. “Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women.” The Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. December 1999.
50% of sexual assault victims lost their jobs or were forced to quit after being raped.
Ellis, E.M., B.M. Atkeson, and K.S. Calhoun. (1993) “An Assessment of Long Term Reaction to Rape,” Abnormal Psychology, 90, 263-264.
Sexual abuse and physical abuse have been identified as significant childhood risk factors for the development of addiction in adulthood.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Girls who were raped are about three times more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders.
Kendler, Kenneth S., et al. Archives of General Psychiatry. Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University. 2000.
Sexual and domestic violence are linked to a wide range of reproductive health issues including sexually transmitted disease and HIV transmission, miscarriages, risky sexual health behaviors and more.
Violence Against Women: Effects on Reproductive Health. Outlook 20(1). 2002.
Law Enforcement Involvement Statistics
Sexual assault is the violent crime that is least often reported to law enforcement officials. A 2000 study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that only 28% of victims report their sexual assault to the police.
Rennison, Callie M. Criminal Victimization 1999: Changes 1998-1999 with Trends 1993-1999. National Crime Victimization Survey. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Only about 2% of all sexual assault accusations reported to police turn out to be false. This is the same rate of false reporting as other types of violent crime.
Reno, Marcus, Leary, and Turman. “First Response to Victims of Crime.” Office of Victims of Crime, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
When the offender was a current or former husband or boyfriend, about three-fourths of all victimizations were not reported to police (77% of completed rapes, 77% of attempted rapes, and 75% of sexual assaults not reported).
Rennison, Callie M. Rape and Sexual Assault: Reporting to Police and Medical Attention, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2002.
Almost half (47%) of the rape or sexual assaults against females in 2008 were reported to police.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Stalking victimization was equally likely to be reported to police whether the victim was male or female. Thirty-seven percent of male and 41% of female victimizations were reported to the police by the victim or another person aware of the crime.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Probability of arrest if the crime is reported to police – 50.8%
Probability of prosecution if a suspect is arrested – 80%
Probability of the suspect receiving a felony conviction if prosecuted – 58%
Probability of the suspect receiving prison time if convicted of a felony – 69%
Overall probability that a rapist will be sent to prison for his crime – 16.3%
Expected punishment for rape – 128 days
Crime and Punishment in America. NCPA Policy Report, 229, October 1999.
46% of rapists who were released from prison were re-arrested within 3 years of their release for another crime.
• 18.6% for a violent offense.
• 14.8% for a property offense.
• 11.2% for a drug offense.
• 20.5% for a public-order offense.
Langan, Patrick A. and David J. Levin. 2002 Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994 Study. 2002.
Sexual assault is the violent crime that is least often reported to law enforcement officials. A 2000 study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that only 28% of victims report their sexual assault to the police.
Rennison, Callie M. Criminal Victimization 1999: Changes 1998-1999 with Trends 1993-1999. National Crime Victimization Survey. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Only about 2% of all sexual assault accusations reported to police turn out to be false. This is the same rate of false reporting as other types of violent crime.
Reno, Marcus, Leary, and Turman. “First Response to Victims of Crime.” Office of Victims of Crime, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
When the offender was a current or former husband or boyfriend, about three-fourths of all victimizations were not reported to police (77% of completed rapes, 77% of attempted rapes, and 75% of sexual assaults not reported).
Rennison, Callie M. Rape and Sexual Assault: Reporting to Police and Medical Attention, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2002.
Almost half (47%) of the rape or sexual assaults against females in 2008 were reported to police.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Stalking victimization was equally likely to be reported to police whether the victim was male or female. Thirty-seven percent of male and 41% of female victimizations were reported to the police by the victim or another person aware of the crime.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Probability of arrest if the crime is reported to police – 50.8%
Probability of prosecution if a suspect is arrested – 80%
Probability of the suspect receiving a felony conviction if prosecuted – 58%
Probability of the suspect receiving prison time if convicted of a felony – 69%
Overall probability that a rapist will be sent to prison for his crime – 16.3%
Expected punishment for rape – 128 days
Crime and Punishment in America. NCPA Policy Report, 229, October 1999.
46% of rapists who were released from prison were re-arrested within 3 years of their release for another crime.
• 18.6% for a violent offense.
• 14.8% for a property offense.
• 11.2% for a drug offense.
• 20.5% for a public-order offense.
Langan, Patrick A. and David J. Levin. 2002 Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994 Study. 2002.
Child Sexual Assault Statistics
A 2011 survey of high school students found that 11.8% of girls and 4.5% of boys from grades 9-12 reported that they were forced to have sexual intercourse at some time in their lives.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1991-2011 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. Accessed on 8/24/2012.
In a nationally representative survey:
• 42.2% of female rape victims were first raped before age 18.
• 29.9% of female rape victims were first raped between the ages of 11-17.
• 12.3% female rape victims and 27.8% of male rape victims were first raped when they were age 10 or younger.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
Juveniles (youth ages 17 and younger) make up 12% of all crime victims known to police, including 71% of all sex crime victims.
Finkelhor, D., & Ormond, R. Characteristics of Crimes Against Juveniles. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Children ages 3-5 are most at risk of sex crimes perpetrated by babysitters.
Finkelhor, D., & Ormond, R. Crimes Against Children by Babysitters. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2001.
93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker. Only 7% were strangers to the victim.
• 34.2% of attackers were family members.
• 58.7% were acquaintances.
2000 Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept of Justice. 2000.
7% of girls and 3% of boys in grades 5-8 said they had been sexually abused.
12% of girls and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.
1998 Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Girls. 1998.
A study reported in the New York Times suggests that one in five adolescent girls become the victims of physical or sexual violence, or both, in a dating relationship.
Goode, Erica. (2001, August 11). Study says 20% of girls reported abuse by a date. New York Times.
Among juvenile girls identified by the courts as delinquent, more that 75% have been sexually abused.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
A 2011 survey of high school students found that 11.8% of girls and 4.5% of boys from grades 9-12 reported that they were forced to have sexual intercourse at some time in their lives.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1991-2011 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. Accessed on 8/24/2012.
In a nationally representative survey:
• 42.2% of female rape victims were first raped before age 18.
• 29.9% of female rape victims were first raped between the ages of 11-17.
• 12.3% female rape victims and 27.8% of male rape victims were first raped when they were age 10 or younger.
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
Juveniles (youth ages 17 and younger) make up 12% of all crime victims known to police, including 71% of all sex crime victims.
Finkelhor, D., & Ormond, R. Characteristics of Crimes Against Juveniles. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2000.
Children ages 3-5 are most at risk of sex crimes perpetrated by babysitters.
Finkelhor, D., & Ormond, R. Crimes Against Children by Babysitters. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2001.
93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker. Only 7% were strangers to the victim.
• 34.2% of attackers were family members.
• 58.7% were acquaintances.
2000 Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept of Justice. 2000.
7% of girls and 3% of boys in grades 5-8 said they had been sexually abused.
12% of girls and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.
1998 Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Girls. 1998.
A study reported in the New York Times suggests that one in five adolescent girls become the victims of physical or sexual violence, or both, in a dating relationship.
Goode, Erica. (2001, August 11). Study says 20% of girls reported abuse by a date. New York Times.
Among juvenile girls identified by the courts as delinquent, more that 75% have been sexually abused.
Jennings, Ann. The Damaging Consequences of Violence and Trauma. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. 2004.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. 2003.
Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of battering relationships.
Campbell, et al. (2003). Assessing Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Homicide. Intimate Partner Homicide, 250, 14-19.
In 2008 females age 12 or older experienced about 552,000 nonfatal violent victimizations (rape/sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated or simple assault) by an intimate partner (a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend).
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
The rate of intimate partner victimizations for females was 4.3 victimizations per 1,000 females age 12 or older. The equivalent rate of intimate partner violence against males was 0.8 victimizations per 1,000 males age 12 or older.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
One in five rape or sexual assaults against females (20%) was committed by an intimate partner.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Approximately one in five female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
Silverman, Jay G., Anita Raj, Loreli A. Mucci, and Jeanne E. Hathaway. (2001). “Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Abuse, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 286(5).
81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; 31% are also sexually assaulted by that partner.
Crime in the United States, 2000. Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2001.
The costs of intimate partner violence against women exceed an estimated $5.8 billion.
Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. 2003.
Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. 2003.
Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of battering relationships.
Campbell, et al. (2003). Assessing Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Homicide. Intimate Partner Homicide, 250, 14-19.
In 2008 females age 12 or older experienced about 552,000 nonfatal violent victimizations (rape/sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated or simple assault) by an intimate partner (a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend).
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
The rate of intimate partner victimizations for females was 4.3 victimizations per 1,000 females age 12 or older. The equivalent rate of intimate partner violence against males was 0.8 victimizations per 1,000 males age 12 or older.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
One in five rape or sexual assaults against females (20%) was committed by an intimate partner.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Approximately one in five female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
Silverman, Jay G., Anita Raj, Loreli A. Mucci, and Jeanne E. Hathaway. (2001). “Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Abuse, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 286(5).
81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; 31% are also sexually assaulted by that partner.
Crime in the United States, 2000. Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2001.
The costs of intimate partner violence against women exceed an estimated $5.8 billion.
Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. 2003.
Persons with Disabilities and Sexual Assault
Persons with a disability had an age-adjusted rate of rape or sexual assault that was more than twice the rate for persons without a disability.
Rand, Michael and Ericka Harrell. Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2007.
Females with a disability had a higher victimization rate than males with a disability; males had a higher rate than females among those without a disability.
Rand, Michael and Ericka Harrell. Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2007.
Persons with a disability had an age-adjusted rate of rape or sexual assault that was more than twice the rate for persons without a disability.
Rand, Michael and Ericka Harrell. Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2007.
Females with a disability had a higher victimization rate than males with a disability; males had a higher rate than females among those without a disability.
Rand, Michael and Ericka Harrell. Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2007.
Poverty and Sexual Assault
One study found that 61% of homeless girls and 16% of homeless boys reported sexual abuse as the reason for leaving home.
Estes and Weiner. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. University of Pennsylvania. 2001.
Research has shown that 13% of homeless women reported having been raped in the previous 12 months, and one-half of these women were raped at least twice.
Goodman, L., K. Fels and C. Glen. No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women. National Resource Center on Domestic Violence/Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2006.
In a four-state study, 20% of homeless adolescents reported that they knew of another street youth who sold sexual favors for food or shelter.
Whitbeck, Les and Danny Hoyt. Midwest Longitudinal Study of Homeless Adolescents. Dept. of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. April 2002.
In 2002, 32.3% of homeless women, 27.1% of homeless men, and 38.1% of homeless transgendered persons were sexually or physically assaulted while on the streets.
Evans, M., S. Perry, M. Robertson, and A. Moss. “No Door to Lock: Victimization Among Homeless and Marginally Housed Persons,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 163. November 10, 2003.
One study found that 61% of homeless girls and 16% of homeless boys reported sexual abuse as the reason for leaving home.
Estes and Weiner. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. University of Pennsylvania. 2001.
Research has shown that 13% of homeless women reported having been raped in the previous 12 months, and one-half of these women were raped at least twice.
Goodman, L., K. Fels and C. Glen. No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women. National Resource Center on Domestic Violence/Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2006.
In a four-state study, 20% of homeless adolescents reported that they knew of another street youth who sold sexual favors for food or shelter.
Whitbeck, Les and Danny Hoyt. Midwest Longitudinal Study of Homeless Adolescents. Dept. of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. April 2002.
In 2002, 32.3% of homeless women, 27.1% of homeless men, and 38.1% of homeless transgendered persons were sexually or physically assaulted while on the streets.
Evans, M., S. Perry, M. Robertson, and A. Moss. “No Door to Lock: Victimization Among Homeless and Marginally Housed Persons,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 163. November 10, 2003.
General
Sexual violence is a significant problem in the United States:
• In a nationwide survey, 8% of high school students reported having been forced to have sex. More female (11.8%) than male (4.5%) students reported experiencing forced sex in their lifetimes.1
• An estimated 20% to 25% of college women in the United States have experienced an attempted or complete rape during their college career.2
• Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.3
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011. MMWR, Surveillance Summaries 2012;61(no. SS-4). Available from www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6104.pdf
2. Fisher BS, Cullen FT, Turner MG. The sexual victimization of college women. Washington, DC: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice; 2000. Publication No.: NCJ 182369.
3. Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In 2009, the number of forcible rapes in the United States was estimated at 88,097.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
In 2009, the rate of forcible rapes in the United States was 28.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
80% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 30.
44% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 18.
29% of sexual assault and rape victims are 12-17.
15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12.
2004 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2004.
Based on the NCVS which interviews victims in the United States, females age 12 or older experienced an estimated 182,000 rapes or sexual assaults in 2008, and males experienced 40,000 rapes or sexual assaults.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
The rates of rape or sexual assaults against females and males in 2008 were 1.4 and 0.3 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, respectively.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred within 1 mile of their home or at their home.
• 4 in 10 take place at the victim’s home.
• 2 in 10 take place at the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative.
• 1 in 10 take place in a parking garage.
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997
A National College Women Sexual Victimization study showed that respondents reported that the perpetrator was of the same race as the victim in nearly 80% of the incidents.
Fisher, B.S., L.E. Daigle, F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. (2003). Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 30(1):6-38.
In the National College Women Sexual Victimization, victims were on a date with the perpetrator in 12.8% of completed rapes and 35% of attempted rapes.
Fisher, B.S., F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Dept of Justice. 2000.
About 1 in 10 of all victims were stalked by a stranger, and nearly 3 in 4 of all victims knew their offender in some capacity. Stalking victims most often identified the stalker as a former intimate (21.5%) or a friend, roommate, or neighbor (16.4%).
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Non-Fatal Injuries, Medical Treatment, and Health Conditions from sexual assault
Among sexual violence victims raped since their 18th birthday, 31.5% of women and 16.1% of men reported a physical injury as a result of a rape. 36.2% of injured female victims received medical treatment.
Tjaden P, Thoennes N. Extent, nature, and consequences of rape victimization: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington: US Department of Justice; Publication No. NCJ210346; 2006.
During 2004-2006, an estimated 105,187 females and 6,526 males aged 10-24 years received medical care in U.S. emergency departments as a result of nonfatal injuries sustained from a sexual assault.
CDC. Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons Aged 10-24 years —United States, 2002-2007. MMWR 2009; 58(ss06):1-58. Available from: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5806a1.htm
Based on 2005 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), for both women and men, links were found between history of nonconsensual sex and high cholesterol, stroke and heart disease; female victims of nonconsensual sex were more likely to report heart attack and heart disease compared to non-victims.
Smith SG. Breiding MJ. Chronic disease and health behaviours linked to experiences of non-consensual sex among women and men. Public Health 2011; 125:653-659.
Rape results in about 32,000 pregnancies each year.
Holmes MM, Resnick HS, Kilpatrick DG, Best CL. Rape-related pregnancy: estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1996; 175:320-324.
Among female victims of partner violence who filed a protective order, 68% reported they were raped by their intimate partner and 20% reported a rape-related pregnancy.
McFarlane J, Malecha A, Watson K, Gist J, Batten E, Hall I, & Smith S. Intimate partner sexual assault against women: Frequency, health consequences & treatment outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005; 105(1):99-108.
Sexual violence is a significant problem in the United States:
• In a nationwide survey, 8% of high school students reported having been forced to have sex. More female (11.8%) than male (4.5%) students reported experiencing forced sex in their lifetimes.1
• An estimated 20% to 25% of college women in the United States have experienced an attempted or complete rape during their college career.2
• Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives.3
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011. MMWR, Surveillance Summaries 2012;61(no. SS-4). Available from www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6104.pdf
2. Fisher BS, Cullen FT, Turner MG. The sexual victimization of college women. Washington, DC: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice; 2000. Publication No.: NCJ 182369.
3. Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, Chen J, Stevens MR. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
In 2009, the number of forcible rapes in the United States was estimated at 88,097.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
In 2009, the rate of forcible rapes in the United States was 28.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Crime in the United States, 2009. U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation. September 2009.
80% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 30.
44% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 18.
29% of sexual assault and rape victims are 12-17.
15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12.
2004 National Crime Victimization Survey. U.S. Dept. of Justice. 2004.
Based on the NCVS which interviews victims in the United States, females age 12 or older experienced an estimated 182,000 rapes or sexual assaults in 2008, and males experienced 40,000 rapes or sexual assaults.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
The rates of rape or sexual assaults against females and males in 2008 were 1.4 and 0.3 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, respectively.
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred within 1 mile of their home or at their home.
• 4 in 10 take place at the victim’s home.
• 2 in 10 take place at the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative.
• 1 in 10 take place in a parking garage.
1997 Sex Offenses and Offenders Study. Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice. 1997
A National College Women Sexual Victimization study showed that respondents reported that the perpetrator was of the same race as the victim in nearly 80% of the incidents.
Fisher, B.S., L.E. Daigle, F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. (2003). Reporting Sexual Victimization to the Police and Others: Results from a National-Level Study of College Women. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 30(1):6-38.
In the National College Women Sexual Victimization, victims were on a date with the perpetrator in 12.8% of completed rapes and 35% of attempted rapes.
Fisher, B.S., F.T. Cullen, and M.G. Turner. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Dept of Justice. 2000.
About 1 in 10 of all victims were stalked by a stranger, and nearly 3 in 4 of all victims knew their offender in some capacity. Stalking victims most often identified the stalker as a former intimate (21.5%) or a friend, roommate, or neighbor (16.4%).
Catalano, Shannon, Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, and Michael Rand. Female Victims of Violence. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2009.
Non-Fatal Injuries, Medical Treatment, and Health Conditions from sexual assault
Among sexual violence victims raped since their 18th birthday, 31.5% of women and 16.1% of men reported a physical injury as a result of a rape. 36.2% of injured female victims received medical treatment.
Tjaden P, Thoennes N. Extent, nature, and consequences of rape victimization: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington: US Department of Justice; Publication No. NCJ210346; 2006.
During 2004-2006, an estimated 105,187 females and 6,526 males aged 10-24 years received medical care in U.S. emergency departments as a result of nonfatal injuries sustained from a sexual assault.
CDC. Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons Aged 10-24 years —United States, 2002-2007. MMWR 2009; 58(ss06):1-58. Available from: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5806a1.htm
Based on 2005 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), for both women and men, links were found between history of nonconsensual sex and high cholesterol, stroke and heart disease; female victims of nonconsensual sex were more likely to report heart attack and heart disease compared to non-victims.
Smith SG. Breiding MJ. Chronic disease and health behaviours linked to experiences of non-consensual sex among women and men. Public Health 2011; 125:653-659.
Rape results in about 32,000 pregnancies each year.
Holmes MM, Resnick HS, Kilpatrick DG, Best CL. Rape-related pregnancy: estimates and descriptive characteristics from a national sample of women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1996; 175:320-324.
Among female victims of partner violence who filed a protective order, 68% reported they were raped by their intimate partner and 20% reported a rape-related pregnancy.
McFarlane J, Malecha A, Watson K, Gist J, Batten E, Hall I, & Smith S. Intimate partner sexual assault against women: Frequency, health consequences & treatment outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2005; 105(1):99-108.
LGBT Sexual Assault
52% of participants in a study of sexual coercion in gay/lesbian relationships reported at least one incident of sexual assault/coercion.
Waldner-Haugrud, Lisa K. and Linda Vaden Gratch. (1997). Sexual Coercion in Gay/Lesbian Relationships Descriptives and Gender Differences, Violence and Victims, 12(1), 87-98.
Approximately 10% of hate crimes against gay men and lesbians include sexual assault.
Comstock. Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. 1991.
52% of participants in a study of sexual coercion in gay/lesbian relationships reported at least one incident of sexual assault/coercion.
Waldner-Haugrud, Lisa K. and Linda Vaden Gratch. (1997). Sexual Coercion in Gay/Lesbian Relationships Descriptives and Gender Differences, Violence and Victims, 12(1), 87-98.
Approximately 10% of hate crimes against gay men and lesbians include sexual assault.
Comstock. Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men. 1991.
Global Sexual Assault
Around the world at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family.
Source: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. 2000.
A 2005 World Health Organization study reported that nearly one third of Ethiopian women had been physically forced by a partner to have sex against their will within the 12 months prior to the study.
WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women. 2005
More than 90 million African women and girls are victims of female circumcision or other forms of genital mutilation.
Source: Heise, 1994.
In eastern and southern Africa, 17 to 22% of girls aged 15 to 19 are HIV-positive, compared to 3 to 7% of boys of similar age. This pattern – seen in many other regions of the world – is evidence that girls are being infected with HIV by a much older cohort of men.
Source: UNICEF/UNAIDS 2007
1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.
The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005. U.S. Dept. of State. 2005
80% - Transnational victims who are women and girls.
Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007. U.S. Dept. of State. 2007.
70% - Female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.
Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons: 2004, U.S. Department of Justice. 2004.
Between 700,000 and 2,000,000 people, most of them women and children, are trafficked across international borders every year for forced labor, including sex work. Most of these victims of trafficking originate in Asia, but substantial numbers come from countries in the former Soviet Union (100,000), Eastern Europe (75,000), Latin America and the Caribbean (100,000), and Africa (50,000).
Orhant, M. Trafficking in Persons: Myths, Methods, and Human Rights. Population Reference Bureau. December 2001.
Around the world at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family.
Source: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. 2000.
A 2005 World Health Organization study reported that nearly one third of Ethiopian women had been physically forced by a partner to have sex against their will within the 12 months prior to the study.
WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women. 2005
More than 90 million African women and girls are victims of female circumcision or other forms of genital mutilation.
Source: Heise, 1994.
In eastern and southern Africa, 17 to 22% of girls aged 15 to 19 are HIV-positive, compared to 3 to 7% of boys of similar age. This pattern – seen in many other regions of the world – is evidence that girls are being infected with HIV by a much older cohort of men.
Source: UNICEF/UNAIDS 2007
1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.
The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005. U.S. Dept. of State. 2005
80% - Transnational victims who are women and girls.
Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007. U.S. Dept. of State. 2007.
70% - Female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.
Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons: 2004, U.S. Department of Justice. 2004.
Between 700,000 and 2,000,000 people, most of them women and children, are trafficked across international borders every year for forced labor, including sex work. Most of these victims of trafficking originate in Asia, but substantial numbers come from countries in the former Soviet Union (100,000), Eastern Europe (75,000), Latin America and the Caribbean (100,000), and Africa (50,000).
Orhant, M. Trafficking in Persons: Myths, Methods, and Human Rights. Population Reference Bureau. December 2001.
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For more Sexual Assault Statistics, try CALCASA's 2008 Statistical Report.
