Research & Statistics
Stay Informed
It is easy in today’s world to get lost in misinformation. People often get conflicting or confusing information, numbers that have been misinterpreted, or sometimes even full-on fiction. Although it is difficult to get clear-cut objective data from a sensitive topic like sexual assault, the team at SARC will attempt to provide the most up-to-date research and statistics available, including nationally-representative data and our very own experience as service providers.
Please note that some data may not add up neatly to 100% due to some survivors having experienced multiple separate assaults or assaults by multiple people. At times, “sexual assault” is shortened to “SA.”
National Statistics
An average of over 443,000 people ages 12+ are sexually assaulted or raped every year in the United States.
Less than half of SA/rape cases are reported to the police. In 2024, only 23.6% of cases were reported to law enforcement.
According to data from the National Crime Victims Survey cited below:
Tapp, S. N., Emilie, J. C. (2025). The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS): Criminal Victimization, 2024. U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/criminal-victimization-2024
Nearly 1/2 (47.6%) of women and a 1/4 (23.3%) of men in the U.S. have experienced unwanted sexual contact at some point in their lifetime.
Of those who reported experiencing unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime, about 1/2 (56.9% of women and 42.6% of men) first experienced it before turning 18 years old.
According to the 2016/2017 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey cited below:
Basile, K.C., Smith, S.G., Kresnow, M., Khatiwada S., & Leemis, R.W. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 Report on Sexual Violence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/124625
82% of Women and 42% of Men have experienced sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
According to data from surveys related to the #MeToo Movement cited below:
Raj, A., Rao, N., Patel, P., Kearl, H., Skolnick, C. (2024) #MeToo 2024: A National Study of Sexual Harassment and Assault in the United States. Newcomb Institute; Tulane University. https://newcomb.tulane.edu/content/metoo-research
American Native/Alaska Native women have shown to be at a significantly higher risk for sexual assault victimization than other races, although all races experience SA.
Most often, the perpetrator of SA is known to the victim. For women, it is more likely to be an intimate partner. For men, it is more likely to be an acquaintance.
According to Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey cited below:
Tjaden, P.G. and Thoennes, N. (2006). Extent, nature, and consequences of rape victimization: findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. National Institute of Justice (U.S.); National Violence Against Women Survey; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (U.S.). https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21950
Continuing Research
If you would like to investigate further into the research and data of sexual violence, SARC suggests visiting these websites among others:
SARC's Statistics
2025 Survivors
As we welcome in 2026, SARC will gain a better understanding of the clients served throughout 2025.
2024 Survivors
During 2024, SARC served 531 survivors and their loved ones (including, for example, the parent of a child survivor). SARC provided services such as 24/7 crisis line response, advocacy and intervention, medical, and counseling to these clients. The graphs represent the clients whose demographics are known to SARC.
