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The Facts About Sexual Assault

Survivors of sexual assault often face significant challenges in overcoming their trauma, including diminished mental and physical health, lack of financial resources to access medical care, difficulties maintaining regular routines (including stable employment, housing and parenting) and a lack of familiarity with accessing resources and trusting service providers.

Sexual Assault: The Facts

  • Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. (Source)
  • Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault. (Source)
  • More than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives. (Source)
  • Approximately 1 in 5 women in the U.S. reported completed or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime. About 1 in 14 men was made to penetrate someone else (attempted or completed) at some point in their lifetime. (Source)
  • 21% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted, compared to 18% of non-TGQN females, and 4% of non-TGQN males. (Source)
  • American Indians are twice as likely to experience a rape/sexual assault compared to all races. 41% of sexual assaults against American Indians are committed by a stranger; 34% by an acquaintance; and 25% by an intimate or family member. (Source)
  • An estimated 80,600 inmates each year experience sexual violence while in prison or jail. (SourceVictims of sexual violence who are incarcerated are most likely to be assaulted by jail or prison staff. (Source)
  • The likelihood that a person suffers suicidal or depressive thoughts increases after sexual violence. Sexual violence also affects victims’ relationships with their family, friends, and co-workers. (Source)

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