Unheard No More: The Reality of Sexual Assaults in the U.S.
Out of 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free.
Rape Is Prevalent.
Rape is prevalent among young women and minorities. Roughly one in four women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime. Women and racial and ethnic minority groups experience a higher burden of sexual violence. The majority of sexual assault victims are under 30 years of age, with victims aged 18-34 comprising 54% of sexual assault victims. Of the women who reported being raped, 40.8% of those rapes was by an acquaintance, not an intimate partner.
Rape Is Underreported.
While rape is on the rise, only 139,380 rapes were reported to law enforcement (a reporting rate of only 25%), down from 40% reporting average in 2017. Of the reported cases, as little as 2% were false reports.
Sexual Violence in the military is likewise unreported. While only 6,053 military members reported experiencing sexual assault during military surveying in 2018, the Department of Defense estimates about 20,500 service members experienced sexual assault that year.
Rape Survivors Suffer Severe Consequences.
Sexual assault survivors suffer physical and psychological trauma, which impacts their ability to earn money, interact with family, friends, and society, and affects their overall health. Consequences of rape can be chronic. Survivors may suffer PTSD and experience recurring reproductive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and sexual health problems.
The consequences of sexual assault are severe:
94% experience symptoms of PTSD
33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide, 13% attempt suicide.
70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than any other violent crime.
The estimated monetary lifetime cost of rape is $122,461 per victim, which can include medical care, lost productivity, and criminal justice costs. This does not include emotional trauma, failed relationships, or other immeasurable costs.
Sexual violence survivors struggle to maintain relationships with their family, friends, and co-workers:
38% experience work or school problems.
37% experience family/friend problems, including increased arguments, inability to trust, and feeling isolated from friends and family compared to before the assault.
79% of survivors who were victimized by a family member, close friend, or acquaintance experience professional or emotional issues, including moderate to severe distress, or increased problems at work or school.
Concerning employment, a survivor may suffer economic and employment setbacks, such as needing more time off work, diminished performance in their role, job loss, or even the inability to work entirely. Survivors struggle with completing everyday tasks, maintaining personal relationships, and regaining a sense of normalcy.