Sexual Assault Sexual Assault in America Prepared by the American Medical Association In 2004, there were 209,880 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault according to the 2004 National Crime Victimization Survey.  Of these, 61% were under the age of 18.  Less is known about the frequency of rapes perpetrated against men. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that about 5% of sexual assaults are perpetrated against male victims. Because many of these attacks occurring daily go unreported and unrecognized, sexual assault can be considered a silent-violent epidemic in the United States today. Back to Top

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Rape Statistics Most of these statistics are from an April 23, 1992 report from the National Victim Center In the United States, 1.3 women are raped every minute. That results in 78 rapes each hour, 1872 rapes each day, 56,160 rapes each month, and 683,280 rapes each year. The United States has the world's highest rape rate of the countries that publish such statistics - 4 times higher than Germany, 13 times higher than England, and 20 times higher than Japan. 1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. 1 in 7 women will be raped by her husband. 61% of all rape cases are victims less than 18 years old. 22% are between the ages of 18 and 24. 78% of rape victims know the attacker. In a survey of college women, 38% reported sexual victimization which met the legal definition of a rape or attempted rape, yet only 1 out of every 25 reported their assault to the police. 1 in 4 college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape. In a study of college students, 35% of men indicated some likelihood that they would commit a violent rape of a woman who had fended off an advance if they were assured of getting away with it. 1 in 12 male students surveyed had committed acts that met the legal definition of rape. Furthermore, 84% of the men who had committed such acts said what they had done was definitely not rape. 75% of male students and 55% of female students involved in acquaintance rape had been drinking or using drugs. Rape has a devastating impact on the mental health of victims. 31% of all victims develop Rape-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (RR-PTSD) sometime in their lifetimes. Based on U.S. Census reports on the number of women in the United States, 1.3 million women currently have RR-PTSD and roughly 211,000 women will develop RR-PTSD each year. When compared with non-victims, rape victims have been found to be 8.7 times more likely to attempt suicide. Only 16% of rapes are ever reported to the police. In a survey of victims who did not report rape or attempted rape to the police, the following was found as to why no report was made: 43% thought nothing could be done, 27% felt it was a private matter, 12% were afraid of police response, and 12% felt it was not important enough.

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Myths and Facts About Sexual Violence
Prepared by the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Myth: "It can't happen to me." Rape is an isolated, infrequent event that only happens to certain kinds of people: attractive, young women, women who are promiscuous or provocative.
Fact: Anyone can be sexually assaulted. Studies show that "victims" include infants to people in their nineties, people of color, lesbians/gays, people with disabilities, and people from every racial, ethnic, religious, economic and social background. According to a study published by the National Victim Center and the Center for Crime Victims Treatment and Research (1992), approximately 683,000 American women were forcibly raped in 1990. Averaged over time, this comes to 1.3 rapes each minute; 78 each hour; 1,871 each day; 56,916 each month; and 683,000 each year. When the number of female children and males assaulted during that same period are added, it is likely that well over twice that many Americans were sexually assaulted.

Myth: "She asked for it." Women often provoke rape by their own behavior: wearing low-cut or tight clothing, going out alone, staying out late, being drunk, using drugs, kissing, etc.
Fact: No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Nor does anyone's behavior justify or excuse the crime. People have a right to be safe from a sexual violation at any time, any place and under any circumstances. The offender, not the survivor, must be held responsible for this crime.

Myth: Most offenders are African-American men.
Fact: Over 90% of sexual assaults occur between people of the same ethnic or racial background. The myth of the black rapist is rooted to the racist history of our country.

Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers at night in out-of-the-way places.
Fact: Familiar people and safe places are more dangerous. As many as 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows (FBI). Over 50% of sexual assaults occur in the home and as many occur during the daytime as happen at night.

Myth: Women frequently "cry rape".
Fact: Women don't lie about rape. The FBI reports that false accusations account for only 2% of all reported sexual assaults. This is no higher than false reports for any other crime.

Myth: Only women can be raped.
Fact: It is currently estimated by the FBI that one out of ten men are victims of adult sexual assault. Other researchers have found that between one of four and one out of seven male children are sexually abused.

Myth: Date rape only happens between people who just met or don't know each other well.
Fact: Rape (sexual intercourse against a person's will through the use of threat or force) has nothing to do with how well the person knows the assailant. It's not uncommon for a person to be raped by someone she or he has been dating for a long time, or by a former lover, or by a spouse.

Myth: The best way for survivors to get over a sexual assault is to act like it didn't happen, to put it behind them, get on with their lives and be 'normal' again.
Fact: Speaking out about sexual assault might be an essential part of the recovery process for survivors. However, no survivor should ever be forced to speak, publicly or privately, before they are ready. Every survivor is the expert on their own recovery. For many, recovery becomes an ongoing process of healing, change and empowerment. All survivors have a right to the support and validation of friends, family, and service providers, no matter where they are in their individual healing process or how long ago the assault occurred.

What to do if you are a victim of sexual assault or rape

Save Evidence.  Do not wash, comb, or clean any part of your body.  Do not change clothes if possible.  The hospital staff will collect clothing as evidence.  Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the attack.

Call the Police.  Even if you do not want the abuser arrested.  The police report can become evidence of prior assaults, which might prove helpful in future prosecutions.  The attacker will not be notified that you made a report.  The report should be made as soon as possible.

Seek Medical Attention.  Go to the nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible.  You need to be examined, treated for any injuries, and be screened for possible sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) or pregnancy.  The doctor will collect evidence using a "rape kit" for fibers, hairs, saliva, semen, or clothing that the attacker may have left behind.

Talk to Someone.  Call a friend or family member that you trust.  You can also call a crisis center or hotline to talk with a counselor.  Many police department's can provide a Victim Assistance counselor.  Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal.  It is important to get counseling from a trusted professional.

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