Sexual Assault Statistics

Learn About the Data on Sexual Assault in the United States

This is an active lawsuit and none of the allegations against the defendant(s) have been proven. The contents of this page reflect the allegations in the litigation.

Attorney Lynette S. Byrd
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Team Lead
Former DOJ Attorney

The statistics on sexual assault in the United States are alarming. Despite being illegal and having catastrophic consequences for victims and their families, sexual assaults are perpetrated every hour of every day in the United States. As a victim, it can be both helpful and sobering to know that you are not alone—and it is important that you speak up so that you can get the help you need and deserve.

Data on Sexual Assault, Rape, and Other Forms of Sexual Violence in America

On this page we have compiled sexual assault statistics from various reputable sources. While it can be hard to find accurate and up-to-date data online, these figures come from well-known government agencies, healthcare providers, and advocacy organizations. These include:

General Statistics on Sexual Assault in the United States

Just how prevalent is sexual assault in the United States? According to RAINN, “[e]very 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted[,] and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.” RAINN reports that 90 percent of sexual assault victims are female, and that every year:

433,648 Americans age 12 and older are victims of sexual assault.
60,000 children under the age of 12 are victims of sexual assault.
80,6000 inmates are victims of sexual assault.
18,900 members of the military are victims of sexual assault.

The NSVRC reports that, “[n]ationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.” Yet, the NSVRC also reports that only between 25% and 40% of sexual assaults are reported to the police.

Statistics on Sexual Assault on (and Off) College Campuses

According to the NSVRC, nearly 25% of female undergraduate students will experience some form of sexual assault or misconduct during their college careers. Johns Hopkins University reports that the majority of these assaults on young women occur during the “Red Zone,” which it defines as the six to ten-week period that lasts from the start of the fall semester through Thanksgiving break. As you might expect, alcohol is reported to play a major role, with “the majority of both perpetrators (67.0%) and survivors (69.8%) of sexual violence . . . using alcohol at the time of the violence.”

Despite these statistics, RAINN reports that women ages 18 to 24 who are not in college are even more likely to become victims of sexual assault. Notably, however, RAINN also notes that sexual assault is more prevalent on college campuses compared to other crimes.

Statistics on Sexual Violence

According to the CDC, “[o]ver half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.” The CDC defines sexual violence as, ”sexual activity when consent is not obtained or freely given.” While this includes rape, it is not exclusive to rape, and the CDC publishes rape statistics (which we discuss below) in addition to publishing broader statistics on sexual violence.

The CDC reports that women from ethic minorities are the most likely to experience sexual violence during their lifetime. This is consistent with data from RAINN and other sources, with RAINN noting that Native Americans in particular are twice as likely to fall victim. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s most recent report, the defendants in 64.9% of criminal sexual abuse cases, 65.2% of abusive sexual contact cases, and 90.7% of statutory rape cases were Native American.

Statistics on Rape

Rape is classified as a form of sexual assault. This classification recognizes that sexual assault casescan also take many different forms. According to the CDC, approximately 25% of women and 2% of men will experience a rape or attempted rape during their lifetime.

The CDC also reports:

“More than four in five female rape survivors reported that they were first raped before age 25 and almost half were first raped as a minor;” and,
“Nearly eight in 10 male rape survivors reported they were made to penetrate someone before age 25 and about four in 10 were first made to penetrate as a minor.”

The U.S. Sentencing Commission reports that the average sentence for a rape conviction in the United States is 212 months. In cases involving a mandatory minimum sentence, the average sentence is 360 months (compared to 156 months in cases without a mandatory minimum sentence). However, for statutory rape, the average sentence drops to just 48 months.

Statistics on Perpetrators of Sexual Violence

The substantial majority of individuals convicted of rape and sexual assault in the United States—93.8% according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission—are men. The U.S. Sentencing Commission also reports:

Of the defendants prosecuted in criminal sexual abuse cases, “55.4% were White, 16.0% were Black, 14.0% were Hispanic, 12.3% were Native American, and 2.2% were Other races.”
The average age of defendants in rape and sexual assault cases is 38 years.
Less than a third (31.5%) of defendants in rape and sexual assault cases have a prior criminal history.
The federal districts with the highest number of rape and sexual assault convictions are the Middle District of Florida, the District of South Dakota, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Michigan, the Western District of Missouri, and the District of Utah.

According to RAINN, in approximately 80 percent of sexual assault cases, the perpetrator knows the victim. In child sexual abuse cases, RAINN reports that 59% of perpetrators are acquaintances of the victim and 34% of perpetrators are family members.

Statistics on the Costs of Sexual Assault

Citing a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the CDC estimates that the lifetime cost of sexual assault for survivors is $122,461. However, this figure only includes “medical care, lost productivity from work, and criminal justice costs.” It does not include all of the other financial and non-financial costs associated with victimization.

For most victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, the lifetime costs will be far greater. From therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder to emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment of life, the financial and non-financial costs of sexual assault can be substantial. This is one of the reasons why taking legal action is so important. If you or someone you love is a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, our lawyers are available to help you, and we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information.

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

FAQs: Sexual Assault & Victims’ Rights

How Common is Sexual Assault in the United States?

The statistics show that sexual assault is alarmingly common in the United States. On average, more than 1,000 people are victimized every single day. These victims include adults and children, men and women, and individuals of all races and ethnicities.

What Are the Racial Statistics on Sexual Assault?

According to data from the CDC, among adult female victims of sexual assault, 22.5% are African American, 18.8% are White, and 14.6% are Hispanic. The CDC also reports that, “more than two in five non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native and non-Hispanic multiracial women [are] raped in their lifetime.”

What Are My Legal Rights as a Victim of Sexual Assault?

Victims of sexual assault have clear legal rights. These include the right to hold the perpetrator and any other at-fault parties accountable. For example, in many cases, businesses, colleges, prisons, and other organizations and institutions can be held accountable for failing to take the steps necessary to prevent sexual assaults on their premises.

It is important to note that the perpetrator’s criminal case is completely separate from any legal action you may be entitled to take to enforce your legal rights. To seek just compensation for your financial and non-financial losses resulting from your sexual assault, you will need to hire a lawyer to take legal action on your behalf.

Are Sexual Assault Victims Entitled to Financial Compensation?

Sexual assault victims are entitled to financial compensation for their losses—past, present, and future. Recovering this compensation generally involves hiring a lawyer to file a lawsuit, although victim compensation funds are available in some areas. You can speak with a lawyer about your legal rights for free (and in strict confidence), and then you can rely on your lawyer’s advice to make informed decisions about asserting your legal rights.

Should I Contact a Sexual Assault Lawyer?

Yes, if you are a victim of rape or any other form of sexual violence, we strongly recommend that you speak with a sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible, in addition to calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline if you wish to do so. At Oberheiden Law Group, we are more than happy to help, and we can take all necessary legal action on your behalf to seek the justice you deserve.

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Sexual Assault Lawyer at Oberheiden Law Group

If you need to know more about your legal rights as a sexually abused victim in the United States, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with an experienced sexual assault lawyer at Oberheiden Law Group in confidence, please call 866-781-9539 or tell us how we can contact you online today.

Further Information About Our Lawyers for Victims of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Lawsuit Services

Disclaimer:
The content on this site is informational only and describes mere allegations. The content does not suggest evidence, proof, or guaranteed liability. The merits of each case depend on specific facts. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. For more details, please see our FTC and general disclaimers. Oberheiden Law is the law firm in charge.