Sexual Abuse Statistics

Key Sexual Assault Statistics for 2025

Over 420,000 Americans ages 12 and up experience sexual abuse each year, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). However, the real number of people impacted by sexual abuse is likely much higher, as many survivors never come forward due to fear, shame, and other factors.

Sexual abuse and mistreatment affect people across all demographics. Understanding the scope of this issue is an important step in raising awareness and supporting survivors.

Statistics for Sexual Assaults in 2025

• In 60% of cases involving rape, the survivor knows the perpetrator.
• More than half of sexual abuse survivors in the U.S. are between the ages of 18 and 34, according to RAINN.
• Someone is sexually abused in the U.S. every 74 seconds.
• Over 50% of women and nearly 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).

Sexual abuse can have lasting effects on survivors, leading to relationship difficulties, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. However, healing is possible.

At Sokolove Law, our sexual abuse attorneys have been helping survivors seek justice for over 45 years. If you or someone you love has been harmed, we may be able to help you file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Sexual Assault Statistics in the United States

Hundreds of thousands of Americans experience sexual violence each year. Sexual violence is any form of a nonconsensual physical sex act, according to the University of California.

The United States had the highest number of reported rapes out of any country in 2022, with over 140,000 cases, per the World Population Review.

Statistics of Sexual Assault in the United States

• Around 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have suffered a rape or attempted rape, per the NSVRC.
• This rate is even higher for Black women, with nearly 1 in 3 affected.
• More than 4 in 5 Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced sexual violence.
• Over 80% of women and nearly 45% of men in the U.S. have suffered sexual abuse or harassment at some point in their lives, according to the NVRC.
• Over 99% of convicted perpetrators receive prison sentences, according to the United States Sentencing Commission. The average sentence is nearly 18 years.
• Rates of child sex abuse are unacceptably high. Roughly 25% of girls and 0.5% of boys experience sexual abuse in childhood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Far too many instances of sexual abuse in the U.S. are tied back to powerful entities. This includes major religious organizations, high-profile celebrities, and online platforms that have allowed sexual abuse to continue on their watch or directly perpetrated it themselves.

Sexual Assault Statistics by State

Cases of sexual abuse and mistreatment are reported across all 50 U.S. states. The rates of sexual assault vary by state, with crime levels, enforcement of laws, and other factors playing a role, according to the World Population Review.

Learn more about sexual abuse statistics by state:

• Alaska has the highest rates of rape, with over 118 cases reported for every 100,000 people, according to the World Population Review.
• Arkansas, Michigan, Colorado, and Oklahoma round out the top 5 states for sexual abuse.
• More than 9 out of 10 women in Hollywood, California’s entertainment industry reported instances of sexual abuse or harassment, according to the NSVRC.
• The 5 states with the lowest rates of rape are Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey.
• The top 5 states with the highest number of sexual abuse sentencings are Florida, South Dakota, Virginia, Texas, and Michigan, as noted by the United States Sentencing Commission.
• Many high-profile celebrities, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Harvey Weinstein, as well as medical professionals like Dr. Darius Paduch, have been tried for sex crimes in New York and California.

No matter where you live in the U.S., help is available for survivors of sexual assault or abuse. By speaking out, you may be able to access resources and hold those responsible for mistreating you accountable.

Global Sexual Assault Statistics

Sexual abuse is a worldwide problem. Nearly 1 in 3 women around the globe have experienced physical or sexual violence, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Find out about global sexual assault statistics:

• Around 1 in 4 women between the ages of 15 and 49 have been physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner at least once, per the WHO.
• Grenada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Panama report the highest rates of rape or sexual assault per population.
• Women who have experienced sexual abuse are 1.5 times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and twice as likely to have an abortion, according to the WHO.

“Globally, about 35% of women have faced sexual harassment, but fewer than 40% seek help, and less than 10% reach out to law enforcement.”
– World Population Review

Agencies like the WHO and governments across the world are taking action to help reduce rates of sexual abuse, particularly among women.

Over 1,700 legislative actions are in effect across nearly 200 countries to try and protect women and girls from sexual assault and other types of violence, per the international Women Count program.

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics

Children never deserve to suffer any form of sexual mistreatment, yet far too many do. The effects of childhood sexual abuse can last a lifetime, leading to a number of emotional and physical consequences.

However, we may never know how many children are impacted each year, as many cases go unreported. It can also take decades for survivors to fully process what they went through and speak out.

Notable childhood sexual abuse statistics include:

• Approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused or assaulted, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Children are at the highest risk of sexual abuse from ages 7 to 13, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC).
• In 34% of child sex abuse cases, the perpetrator was a family member.
• LGBTQI+ children are 3.8 times more likely to experience sexual abuse than cisgender children, as noted by the American Journal of Public Health.
• More than 9 out of 10 sexual abuse survivors aged 18 and younger know their abuser.
• Up to 20% of adult women and 5-10% of adult men remember being sexually abused in childhood.

If you were sexually abused as a child, you may still be able to take legal action against abusers and any institutions that failed to protect you from being harmed.

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics in the United States 2025

Each year, over 63,000 children in the U.S. are found or suspected to have suffered sexual abuse, according to RAINN. The abusers are often people or institutions the child has come to trust, including parents, teachers, and pastors.

Here are key statistics on childhood sexual abuse in the U.S.:

• A child is sexually abused every 9 minutes in the U.S., according to RAINN.
• Between 60% and 80% of child sex abuse survivors wait until adulthood to come forward about what they’ve experienced, according to RAINN.
• Girls make up the majority of reported abuse survivors, accounting for roughly 82% of those under age 18.
• Nearly 3 out of 4 children don’t report sexual abuse until at least a year has passed, according to the Houston Children's Assessment Center.
• Teen girls between the ages of 16 and 19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to experience rape or attempted rape.
• Up to 200,000 young adults in the U.S. are in the “troubled teen industry," which involves institutions like wilderness camps and boarding schools, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). Many of these facilities lack oversight, and alarming instances of sexual abuse have been reported.

Many adults who experienced sexual abuse as children only feel comfortable speaking out after decades have passed. If this describes you, it’s important to know that it’s not too late.

To date, 30 states have passed laws that extended or rolled back the statutes of limitations or deadlines to file lawsuits for child sex abuse cases, according to ChildUSA. We may be able to help you take the first steps towards getting justice.

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics Worldwide

Across the globe, child sexual abuse remains a significant problem. Around 1 billion children have been sexually abused, according to the WHO.

Worldwide child sex abuse statistics include:

• About 20% of children in Europe experience sexual violence, according to the Council of Europe.
• Over 12% of the world’s children have been exposed to unwanted sexual questioning, comments, or images online, accounting for more than 300 million survivors per the University of Edinburgh.
• Pakistan is the country with the highest rate of child sexual abuse statistics, as reported by the UN Dispatch.
• Other countries with poor child sexual abuse protections include Egypt, Vietnam, Mozambique, and China.

Some countries, like the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, have stronger laws in place to keep children safe from sexual mistreatment. Still, the rates of child sex abuse in these countries remain far too high.

Sexual Assault Perpetrator Statistics

Anyone can potentially commit sexual abuse. However, the perpetrator is usually someone the survivor already knows, according to sexual abuse statistics from the NSVRC.

Romantic partners, family members, friends, or community leaders like coaches and religious figures are all capable of sexually abusing the people who put their trust in them.

Depending on the case, we may be able to help you pursue compensation from the individuals responsible for your assault or institutions that enabled the abuse.

Sexual Abuse by Teachers Statistics

Children and their families rely on teachers, coaches, and other school staff daily. However, some school employees may use their position of power to commit abuse.

Abuse occurs in both public and private schools. Boarding schools in particular can be hotbeds of abuse, as children have fewer safeguards while away from home.

Find out more about teacher sex abuse statistics:

• Approximately 10% of students will experience sexual abuse by a school employee before they graduate high school, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Coaches committed nearly 20% of child sex abuse cases in school settings, as noted by Psychology Today.
• More than 40% of male students in college sports reported being told about at least 1 instance of sexual abuse or domestic violence, according to ESPN.
• Over 67 boarding schools in New England alone have more than 200 sexual assault claims against them, per The Boston Globe.
• Teachers were the perpetrators in over 63% of child sex abuse cases that occurred in schools, according to Psychology Today.

Sexual misconduct committed by teachers and school staff can range from inappropriate comments to statutory rape — none of which is acceptable.

Sexual Abuse of Women Statistics

Women are generally at a greater risk of sexual violence and more serious injuries than men, as noted by BMC Women’s Health.

Female sexual abuse statistics include:

• Globally, 1 in 5 women alive today experienced sexual violence when they were children. This amounts to over 650 million women total, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• Roughly 1 in 20 women become pregnant from rape or sexual coercion, according to the CDC.
• Since 1998, nearly 18 million women in America have suffered an attempted or completed rape, according to RAINN.
• Women between the ages of 16 and 49 are 4 times more likely to suffer from sexual abuse or rape compared to the general population.

Women never deserve to experience sexual abuse or the long-lasting complications that often follow, like anxiety or depression. If you or a woman you love is a survivor of SA, get a free case review now to find out how we may be able to help.

Men’s Sexual Abuse Statistics

While the reported rates are lower when compared to women, many men have experienced various forms of sexual mistreatment, including assault and rape.

Find out more about male sexual abuse statistics:

• Men make up 10% of all rape survivors, according to RAINN.
• Nearly 3 million men in the U.S. have been raped or experienced attempted rape since 1998.
• Nearly 5% of men have been coerced into unwanted sexual penetration either by an intimate partner or an acquaintance, according to the NSVRC.
• Up to 530 million men (1 in 7) experienced child sex abuse as boys, per UNICEF.

Men who have been sexually assaulted or abused may go on to have permanent or long-term psychological health issues. Yet many men don’t speak out until years or even decades later due to trauma, shame, and other factors.

Religious Sexual Abuse Statistics

Religious leaders may commit clergy sexual abuse against followers or parishioners who put their trust in them. Thousands of religious leaders have been accused of sexual mistreatment to date.

Instances of sexual abuse have been reported across religions, yet the true numbers are often not fully known. This is because religious organizations may pressure survivors to stay silent in an effort to protect their reputation.

Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Statistics

The Catholic Church has faced decades of accusations and over ten thousand claims involving sexual abuse carried out by priests and other members of the church. The allegations span congregations of the Catholic Church across the globe.

Key Catholic priest sexual abuse statistics include:

• Between 2004 and 2023, over $5 Billion has been paid to settle Catholic Church sex abuse lawsuits, according to the National Catholic Reporter.
• More than 4,000 Catholic priests have faced almost 11,000 sexual abuse allegations, as per the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
• Over 60% of Catholics believe that sexual abuse is still an ongoing problem within the church, according to the Pew Research Center.

There may be more cases than currently known, as it may take decades for those affected by sexual abuse to feel safe and report their stories. Survivors of Catholic Church sexual abuse deserve the care and support needed to move forward.

More Sexual Abuse Statistics by Religion

Besides the Catholic Church, many other survivors have come forward and accused leaders of other religious organizations of sexual abuse and mistreatment.

Religious sex abuse statistics have been reported among:

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Over 1,000 members of this religious group have been accused of sexually abusing more than 1,8000 people, according to ABC News Australia.
• The Church of Latter-day Saints: More than 100 people have filed sexual abuse lawsuits against the Church of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, according to the Guardian. The lawsuits claim Mormon leaders tried to cover up abuse to protect the church’s image.
• Southern Baptist Convention: Nearly 400 church members were found to have sexually abused over 700 people, according to the Houston Chronicle.

If you were sexually abused by a member of your church, it wasn’t your fault, and you may be eligible to pursue accountability through the legal system.

Elder Sexual Abuse Statistics

The risk of sexual abuse doesn’t go away as you age. Older adults, especially those who live in a nursing home or rely on others for care, could experience sexual mistreatment.

The lives of seniors and their families can be shattered in the wake of a sexual assault. Loved ones may need to step in to protect an older relative from more harm.

Learn more about elderly sexual abuse statistics:

• Adults aged 65 and up account for 3% of all sexual abuse survivors, according to RAINN.
• More than 7 out of 10 sexual abuse cases involving seniors happen in nursing homes, as noted by Minnesota’s Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care.
• Roughly 50% of elders who experience sexual abuse in a nursing home pass away within 1 year of the incident, per The Gerontologist.

Many cases of elder sexual abuse go unreported. Cognitive impairments like dementia can prevent survivors from speaking out, and some may fear retaliation from caregivers.

If you think that an older person you love has been sexually abused or mistreated, acting promptly can help protect them and ensure they get the support needed to start healing.

Medical Sexual Abuse Facts and Statistics

Thousands of patients have accused doctors and other medical providers across the country of sexual abuse and misconduct. In some cases, hospitals knew about the abuse but failed to adequately protect patients.

Sexual assaults by doctors can be incredibly traumatic, often breaking patients’ trust and leaving them with lasting physical and emotional effects.

Find out about statistics on sexual abuse committed by specific medical providers:

• Endocrinologist Dr. Reginald Archibald is suspected of abusing over 1,000 children.
• Neurologist Dr. Ricardo Cruciani was convicted of raping 6 patients.
• OB/GYN Dr. Robert Hadden was convicted of sexually abusing dozens of patients.
• Pediatrician Dr. Richard Kauff faces accusations of child rape and assault from at least 15 patients.
• Medical assistant Damien Knighton has been accused by at least 4 men of sexual abuse.
• Physician Dr. David Newman is accused of sexually abusing at least 4 female patients.
• OB/GYN Dr. Fabio Ortega has been accused of sexually abusing over 300 women in and around Chicago.
• Urologist Dr. Darius Paduch faces claims that he sexually assaulted over 300 men, including minors.
• Sanjai Syamaprasad, a former employee at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center in New York, recorded up to 13,000 patients, including minors, in bathrooms using hidden cameras.
• Rheumatologist Dr. Derrick Todd allegedly sexually abused over 200 former patients.

At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help you hold abusive medical professionals and hospitals legally accountable. Don’t wait to see if you may be able to take action.

Statistics on Sexual Abuse by Celebrities

Hundreds of survivors have come forward alleging that high-profile celebrities used their power and influence to commit horrific acts of sexual abuse.

Some of the top statistics related to sexual abuse by celebrities include:

• Bill Cosby lawsuits: Comedian Bill Cosby allegedly sexually abused over 60 women and is facing both civil and criminal lawsuits related to the matter.
• Diddy sexual abuse lawsuits: Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces over 120 sexual misconduct allegations. More than 50 civil lawsuits have been filed in addition to an ongoing criminal case.
• Harvey Weinstein lawsuits: Over 80 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexually assaulting or harassing them over the course of several decades. He has been convicted of sex crimes in both Los Angeles and New York.
• Smokey Robinson sexual abuse lawsuits: Motown singer and songwriter William ‘Smokey’ Robinson is accused of assaulting 4 women since 2006.

Celebrities may try to use their fame and fortune to avoid accountability after sexual abuse. At Sokolove Law, we have the resources and experience needed to even the playing field and help hold powerful figures like this accountable.

Other Statistics on Where Sexual Abuse Takes Place

Sexual abuse can occur anywhere, including on cruise ships or commercial flights, in schools or foster care settings, and via online platforms. Reports ranging from explicit comments to sexual assaults have made headlines in recent years.

No matter where you were sexually abused or assaulted, it’s possible to seek accountability from those who harmed you and the institutions that enabled the mistreatment.

Roblox^® Sexual Abuse Statistics

Roblox^® is a popular online video game primarily aimed at children. However, Roblox has come under fire for not doing enough to protect underage players from grooming, harassment, and sexual exploitation.

Multiple Roblox sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed by families seeking accountability from Roblox Corporation. These lawsuits claim Roblox failed to properly protect children from instances of grooming and exploitation.

Here’s what to know about Roblox sexual abuse incidents:

• Around 66% of all U.S. children between the ages of 9 and 12 have played Roblox, according to the BBC.
• Dozens of adults have been arrested for Roblox-related child sex abuse charges, according to NBC and Bloomberg.
• Hundreds of claims involving child sexual abuse related to Roblox are currently under investigation, ABC 7 Eyewitness News reports.
• Roblox has submitted 1,200+ cases of attempted child exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as of June 2025.

Outside of Roblox, other online platforms like Discord have also come under fire and faced lawsuits for allegedly enabling child sex abuse. Discord reportedly disabled over half a million accounts for issues related to child safety and filed more than 21,000 reports to the NCMEC in the second quarter of 2022 alone.

Statistics for Sexual Assault Through Dating Apps

Numerous dating apps have come under scrutiny for putting both children and adults at risk of sexual assault.

Match Group, which owns many online dating services, has kept a log of sexual assaults linked to their platforms dating back to 2016, but has failed to publicly release the data, according to The 19th News.

Here are key dating app sexual assault case statistics:

• Hundreds of cases of sexual assaults stemming from dating apps have been reported weekly since 2022, according to The 19th News.
• Nearly 75% of dating app users faced online sexual violence between 2018 and 2022, according to ABC News Australia.
• More than 50% of women and over 25% of men reported receiving unwanted, sexually charged messages over dating apps, as reported by the Pew Research Center.

Sexual abuse that occurs after using a dating app can have long-term or permanent consequences. At Sokolove Law, we have the skills and resources needed to hold companies that control these dating apps accountable for the harm done.

Statistics About Sexual Abuse on Cruise Ships and Airlines

There are many alarming reports of sexual abuse on cruise ships and airlines, often involving assaults carried out by staff members or other passengers.

Key statistics on sex assaults involving cruises and airlines include:

• Over 65% of reported crimes on cruise ships in 2025 were rapes or sexual assaults, according to Fox 6 Reports.
• Rates of sexual crimes committed on cruise ships have steadily risen since 2019, according to The Washington Post. The overall crime rate aboard cruises reached a 2-year high in 2025.
• Over 104 sexual assault complaints on commercial airlines were investigated by the FBI in 2024 alone, but the agency cautions that the actual number of cases could be higher due to a lack of reporting.
• Minors made up around 20% of all airline sex assault survivors, per the FBI.

“It's important to maintain a low threshold of what you might find creepy. If you find something to be creepy, then you should tell the flight attendant and look for a new seat because you're in too close of a space."
– Greg Tarbert, FBI Special Agent

Companies controlling cruise ships and airlines may try to sweep cases of sexual mistreatment under the rug to protect their image. Taking legal action may potentially allow you to hold perpetrators, as well as cruise lines and airlines that failed to properly protect you, accountable after sex abuse.

Foster Care Sexual Abuse Statistics

Sexual abuse of children in foster care settings is unfortunately a widespread issue. More than 10% of children in the foster care system have been sexually abused, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Learn more about statistics on child sexual abuse in foster care settings:

• Nearly 90% of youth sex trafficking survivors were in foster care or social service settings, according to a report from The Children’s Rights Legal Journal. The foster care system is frequently called a "pipeline to prostitution,” the report noted.
• In 66% of foster care sex abuse cases, the perpetrator was a member of the foster family, as noted by the International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect.
• In April 2025, Los Angeles County settled more than 6,800 foster care and juvenile detention center abuse claims for over $4 Billion, according to Reuters. The sexual abuse allegations reached as far back as 1959.

Similar risks exist for kids in what’s known as the “troubled teen industry,” which has come under scrutiny for child sex abuse incidents. Over 50,000 children are estimated to currently be enrolled in these programs.

Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse Statistics

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has come under fire for thousands of sexual assault claims involving minors. These claims span over 70 years, making this issue one of the largest sexual abuse cases in the history of the United States.

Boy Scout sexual abuse figures and statistics include:

• The BSA established a $2.46 Billion settlement fund for child sex abuse survivors in 2024.
• More than 90,000 child sex abuse lawsuits have been filed against the BSA, as noted by CNN.
• The BSA maintained a list of over 7,800 former leaders who were accused of committing child sex acts.
• Individual child sex abuse lawsuits filed against the Boy Scouts have awarded millions of dollars in some cases.

The organization was supposed to mold boys into confident men, not expose them to unthinkable sexual trauma. Even if the abuse occurred decades ago, survivors of Boy Scout sexual assault may still qualify to take legal action and to seek justice.

Uber^® and Rideshare Sexual Abuse Statistics

High rates of sexual assault and misconduct have been reported by Uber^® and Lyft^® passengers. While rideshare services maintain they are working to keep people safe, critics believe not enough is being done.

Here’s what you should know about Uber sexual abuse:

• According to court records, there were 400,181 reports of sexual assault or mistreatment during Uber rides between 2017 and 2021.
• Rates of Uber sexual mistreatment have been increasing over time since 2022, according to KTLA.
• More than 8 out of 10 Uber rape survivors were women, as noted by NBC.
• Uber drivers committed sexual abuse at least once every eight minutes between 2017 and 2022, according to The New York Times.

If you or someone you love suffered a rideshare sexual assault, it may be possible to seek legal accountability through the civil court system. While a lawsuit can’t undo the harm done, it may allow you to afford medical care, therapy, and more.

Family and Parental Sexual Abuse Statistics

While it can be unthinkable for many, family members and relatives are also capable of committing sexual abuse.

Here are key sexual abuse by family members statistics:

• Family members are the perpetrators in 34% of child sex abuse cases, as per RAINN.
• In cases of sexual abuse by a family member, 66% of survivors are under the age of 18, according to The Medical Science Monitor.
• Sexual abuse committed by family members is linked to long-term negative outcomes among survivors, such as trouble forming relationships, according to Children and Youth Services Review.

Sexual abuse committed by family members can be incredibly traumatizing for survivors, as they have their trust betrayed by those closest to them. Still, it’s possible to seek healing after experiencing sexual abuse by a family member.

Domestic Sexual Abuse Statistics

Many perpetrators of sexual violence are intimate partners. This is known as domestic sexual abuse, and it’s believed to impact an estimated 12 million people per year.

Learn more about sexual assault and domestic violence statistics:

• Nearly 15% of women and 4% of men suffer serious injuries due to stalking, rape, or a physical attack by an intimate partner.
• On average, 24 people per minute experience rape, stalking, or physical harm at the hands of a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S., according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
• Over half of women who report a rape name an intimate partner as the perpetrator, according to the NSVRC.

Domestic sexual abuse can be emotionally complex, as survivors may still feel romantically attached to or involved with the perpetrator. Strict religious doctrines may also be used to dissuade survivors from speaking out, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

Survivors of domestic sexual abuse can seek help from mental health professionals, family, and friends to begin the recovery process.

Sokolove Law: Helping Sexual Abuse Survivors Seek Justice

If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse, you are not alone. At Sokolove Law, we may be able to help survivors seek justice and compensation — even if the abuse happened years or even decades earlier.

Our sexual abuse attorneys can help families in all 50 states file lawsuits against perpetrators and any institutions that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse.

There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team, so you can get the answers and support you deserve without facing any financial risk.

Call (800) 995-1212 right now or get a free case review to find out if we can help you or someone you love file a sexual abuse lawsuit.

Statistics on Sexual Assault FAQs