Sexual violence is a pervasive and deeply unsettling reality that affects millions of lives across the United States. The statistics paint a grim picture: about one in five women has experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, and nearly a quarter of men have encountered some form of contact sexual violence.
Behind these numbers are real people—individuals whose lives have been irrevocably altered. These figures are not just statistics. They are testimonies of pain, loss, and the enduring impact of trauma. We have to always remember that every percentage point represents countless stories of human suffering.
This page will provide the most recent data and statistics on the incidence rates for child sexual abuse in the United States. These statistics are current as of September 2024 and are drawn from a collection of sources including government agencies and various non-profit organizations.
Definition of Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse, for purposes of the data on this page, is generally defined as any type of sexual contact or touching of a minor by an adult that would be considered unlawful under applicable state laws. A “minor” is generally anyone under the age of 18, although in some states the age of majority is 21.
State laws are fairly consistent in terms of what type of sexual contact with a minor is considered “sexual abuse” and unlawful. Abuse is intentional contact or touching of sexual areas of the body done for the purpose of sexual gratification.
Prevalence of Child Sex Abuse Statistics
Prevalence attempts to measure how frequently or often something happens to individuals in the general population. The true prevalence rate of child sexual abuse is extremely difficult to accurately state primarily because many acts of child sexual abuse are never reported. Various methodologies have been developed to accurately estimate the true child sex abuse prevalence rate based on various data sets, including known incidence rates.
- 1 out of every 5 girls under the age of 18 will be the victim of sexual abuse
- 1 out of every 20 boys under the age of 18 will be the victim of child sexual abuse
- 20% of adult women and 5% of adult men recall being the victim of childhood sexual abuse or assault
- An estimated 28% of teens between the age of 14 and 17 are sexually victimized
- Children between the ages of 7 and 13 are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse
- 2 out of every 3 child sexual abuse victims are between age 12-17
- 70% of all sexual assaults reported to law enforcement involve victims that are age 17 and under
- The National Center for Victims of Crime notes that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are victims of child sexual abuse. It is estimated that during a one-year period, 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 in the U.S. have been sexually victimized.
Child Sex Abuse Demographics
Various studies over the years have collected data on child sexual abuse based on demographics such as race, educational level, economic level, etc. These studies and surveys found that Black children had the highest rate of sexual abuse and assault, followed by Hispanics:
Prevalence of Child Sex Abuse By Race:
White: 7%
Black: 13%
Hispanic: 10%
Native Am: 15%
Perpetrators of Child Sex Abuse
Below are some general statistics about the individuals who are perpetrating child sexual abuse.
- 91% of child sexual abuse perpetrators are male compared to 9% female
- According to data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission, 57% of sexual abuse perpetrators are White, 16% are Black, and 10% are Hispanic.
- The average age of individuals who are convicted of sexual abuse crimes is 38. Over 50% of offenders are over the age of 30.
- 93% of child sex abuse perpetrators are someone known to the victim. 59% are friends or acquaintances and 34% are family members. Only 7% of child sex abuse perpetrators are strangers.
- Around 40% of child sex abuse perpetrators have prior felony convictions
Impact of Sex Abuse on Victims
Child sexual abuse has profound and long-lasting impacts on survivors, affecting their physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The trauma from such abuse can permeate every aspect of a survivor’s life, often continuing into adulthood. The effects vary widely depending on factors like the nature of the abuse, the age of the child, the relationship with the abuser, and the support systems available to the child. Here’s a detailed overview of the impacts of child sexual abuse:
Psychological
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many survivors develop PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the trauma.
- Depression and Anxiety: Survivors often experience chronic depression and anxiety. Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and pervasive sadness can be prevalent.
- Dissociation: To cope with the trauma, some survivors may dissociate, or mentally disconnect from their experiences. This can lead to difficulties in memory, perception, and sense of identity.
- Low Self-Esteem and Shame: Survivors often blame themselves for the abuse, resulting in low self-esteem, guilt, and intense feelings of shame.
- Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation: Some survivors may engage in self-harm or have suicidal thoughts and behaviors as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
Behavioral
- Substance Abuse: To numb emotional pain or escape memories of abuse, survivors are at an increased risk of developing substance abuse issues, including alcohol, drugs, and other addictive behaviors.
- Eating Disorders: Some survivors may develop eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating as a way to exert control over their bodies or cope with feelings of shame and disgust.
- Sexual Risk-Taking or Aversion: Survivors might engage in risky sexual behaviors or, conversely, may develop an aversion to sexual activity altogether. This can result from distorted views of intimacy and trust.
- Difficulty in Relationships: Trust issues, fear of intimacy, and difficulties with emotional regulation can make forming and maintaining healthy relationships challenging.
Physical
- Chronic Health Problems: The stress from childhood abuse can lead to long-term physical health issues, such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and other stress-related conditions.
- Sleep Disturbances: Nightmares, insomnia, or other sleep disorders are common, often linked to trauma-related anxiety and fear.
- Increased Risk of Further Victimization: Survivors may be more vulnerable to future abuse or exploitation due to impaired judgment, low self-worth, or being perceived as easy targets. Women who were abused as children are 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence in adulthood.
Cognitive
- Academic Challenges: Survivors might struggle academically due to difficulties concentrating, low motivation, or emotional distress. Cognitive impairments can also occur, affecting memory, learning, and problem-solving abilities.
- Negative Beliefs and Worldview: The trauma of abuse can lead to a distorted worldview, where survivors may believe the world is unsafe, people are untrustworthy, and they are unworthy of love or care.
Rape and Sexual Assault Statistics
- About one in five women have experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime. Furthermore, nearly a quarter (24.8%) of men in the U.S. have encountered some form of contact sexual violence.
- Approximately 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) in the United States have experienced rape at some point in their lives. These include completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug-facilitated penetration.
- Only 40% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police. Most female victims of rape (79.6%) experienced their first rape before the age of 25, and more than one-quarter of male victims of completed rape (27.8%) experienced their first rape when they were ten years of age or younger.
- An estimated 13% of women and 6% of men have experienced sexual coercion in their lifetime. This includes unwanted sexual penetration after being pressured in a nonphysical way.