{"id":23965,"date":"2019-04-26T14:30:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T21:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/?page_id=23965"},"modified":"2026-06-14T13:54:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T13:54:05","slug":"sexual-assault-statistics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/downtownlalaw.com\/es\/practice-areas\/assault-and-battery-attorney\/sexual-assault-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Estad\u00edsticas sobre agresiones sexuales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sexual Assault Statistics<\/h1>\n
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SEXUAL ASSAULT ATTORNEYS<\/h1>\n

Sexual Assault\nStatistics<\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Free Case Review<\/h1>\n

(<\/span>855)<\/span> 339–<\/span>8879<\/a><\/h1>\n\"\"\n

Sexual assault statistics never tell the whole story, as many incidents are not reported or talked about. Victims are scared of retaliation and often ashamed of what was done to them. Some are afraid that they will lose their jobs, or their family and friends will not believe them. <\/p>\n

Statistics show that there are more than 320,000 sexual assault victims every year, and over 50% of female victims are assaulted by an intimate partner, while 40% of attacks are by an acquaintance. Around 50% of rapes and assaults against males are by acquaintances, and around 15% were attacks by strangers. As for child victims, minors between the ages of 7 to 13 are the most likely to be sexually assaulted. Three out of 4 underage victims were abused by someone they knew well, like a relative, teacher, coach, priest, or a friend\u2019s parent.<\/p>\n

Around 91% of all reported rape and sexual assault victims are female. Approximately 94% of these individuals have had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within two weeks of the incident, and 70% had moderate to severe emotional distress. One out of 3 incidents involved a perpetrator that was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and there is no denying that rapes and attempted rapes occur at higher rates in and around bars, nightclubs, liquor stores, and house parties. Rapes can also happen in workplaces or during the course of one\u2019s employment duties. <\/p>\n

While there is no way to stop the occurrence of sexual assaults altogether, recent changes in the laws provide victims with more avenues for justice. We encourage you to learn about these options and your rights as a victim of sexual assault by reaching out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. <\/p>\nWhat You Should Know about Sexual Assault<\/span>\n

Sexual assault is the act of touching someone in a sexual manner without their consent. Essentially, it involves any type of unwanted sexual contact, whether it\u2019s kissing, groping, grabbing, or penetration. As we mentioned before, most incidents of sexual assault occur between people that know each other. In fact, many cases involve minors who are sexually harassed and assaulted<\/a> by a parent, grandparent, cousin, uncle, or another member of the family. Children can also be targeted by predatory teachers, coaches, and other adults they see on a daily basis, and this explains the high rate of sexual assaults that happen at schools<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Alcohol and drugs can also contribute to sexual assault incidents because of how they impair the perpetrator\u2019s judgement and ability to think rationally. The victim may be intoxicated as well, making them extremely vulnerable to anyone with criminal intentions. This is why colleges and universities are prime locations for sexual and physical assaults, usually during parties. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s very common for the victim to blame themselves if they were drinking or taking drugs. They may also have little to no memory of what happened, and this is another reason that so many cases are unreported. But even if they are certain that they were raped or sexually assaulted in some other way, the victim may be reluctant to file charges against the perpetrator because of guilt, shame, and fear of social stigma.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Laws Related to Sexual Assault<\/span>\n

Various laws in California help victims obtain justice in the event they are sexually<\/a> assaulted. For an act to count as sexual assault, the victim must have been touched against his or her will. Additionally, the physical contact must have occurred for the purpose of sexual gratification for the perpetrator. The degree of force and power over the victim are used to determine if the defendant is guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.<\/p>\n

Sexual assault as a misdemeanor refers to unwanted groping, kissing, and other acts of touching without the victim\u2019s consent. More serious acts, like rape or sexual assault involving abuse of one\u2019s power and authority (the perpetrator is your boss, teacher, or police officer, for example), are typically classified as felonies. <\/p>\n

Per the laws in California, rape must involve sexual intercourse with someone who is unable or unwilling to consent. So, this includes victims who are medically incapacitated or intellectually handicapped, along with those who are able to say no. The act must also involve physical force, violence, threats, fraud, or another type of coercion. There is an exception for minors, however, who were groomed into sexual activity. <\/p>\n

Here, the perpetrator takes the time to form an emotional connection with the victim and slowly coaxes them into having sex or engaging in other sexually explicit activities. Many victims are brainwashed to the point where they believe themselves to be in a true and loving relationship, and this is why they tend to stay quiet and not say anything to a parent or someone else who can help them. In short, the idea of consent is not quite the same for a child as it is for an adult. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Date rape, or sexual assault between two intimate partners, is the most common form of rape. The state of California also has recognizes spousal rape and statutory rape (sex with an individual under 18 years old). It\u2019s essential to understand that minors cannot give \u201cinformed consent,\u201d meaning they lack the intellectual and emotional capacity to make a sound decision regarding sexual activity. This is why sex with a minor can be classified as rape, even if the individual claims they are a willing participant. <\/p>\nSexual Assault Claims Based on Negligence<\/span>\n

Aside from criminal charges against the person that assaulted you, there is the option of suing the abuser or another entity for monetary damages. A sexual assault lawsuit can be filed when someone fails to take measures that could have protected you. Or, they failed to act appropriately after they found out you were sexually assaulted<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say, for example, you were walking across a parking lot behind a strip mall. It\u2019s nighttime, and the parking lot should have better lighting, but the owners neglected to replace some of the bulbs that had burned out. Additionally, not all the security cameras are working, so certain parts of the parking lot are not being filmed. A rapist takes advantage of these security failures to assault you in the parking<\/a> lot. <\/p>\n

You may be wondering if physical injuries are required to prove a case of sexual assault. The laws generally recognize that forced sexual acts do not necessarily result in visible injuries<\/a>. Overall, the fact that you were forced to engage in a sexual act is considered bodily harm in itself, so you can go ahead with pressing charges and\/or filing a lawsuit even if you don\u2019t have cuts,<\/a> broken bones, and other obvious injuries.<\/p>\nProving Negligence in a Sexual Assault Case<\/span>\n

In the previous section, we talked about how someone other than the rapist can be sued by the victim for sexual assault. The key is to prove the following elements:<\/p>\n