GIRLS, TEENS AND WOMEN

Key Statistics in the US

Sexual abuse and sexual violence remain widespread and deeply underreported in the United States,

particularly among girls, adolescents, and women.

Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
Source: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

An estimated 434,000 people ages 12 and older experience rape or sexual assault each year in the U.S.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), cited by RAINN

1 in 5 women in the United States has experienced completed or attempted rape in her lifetime.
Source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), CDC

81% of women report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or sexual assault during their lifetime.
Source: NSVRC

Nearly 1 in 3 female rape survivors experienced their first assault between the ages of 11 and 17.
Source: CDC / NSVRC

Child and Teen Abuse in Girls

Approximately 1 in 4 girls in the U.S. is sexually abused before the age of 18.
Source: Darkness to Light; NSVRC

Among juvenile victims of sexual assault, 82% are female.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice

Teen girls ages 16–19 are at significantly higher risk of sexual assault than any other age group.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

Known Perpetrators

Over 90% of sexual abuse and assault is committed by someone known to the victim, such as a family member, acquaintance, or trusted individual.
Source: NSVRC; RAINN

National U.S. Data
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosure Timing and Reporting

1. Long Delays Before Disclosure
Over 70 % of child sexual abuse (CSA) victims do not disclose within five years of the abuse.
Most victims are only able to acknowledge and describe the abuse during adulthood.
Approximately 2 in 5 victims never disclose their experiences of abuse at all.
Among youth aged 10–17 years, 66 % of CSA was not reported to parents or any adult at the time of the abuse.

2. Late Age at First Disclosure
The average age of first disclosure in adults that experienced CSA is 52 years old.

Most people wait 50-70 years to disclose CSA.

3. Reporting to Authorities
The majority of sexual assaults are never reported to law enforcement.

U.S. Department of Justice estimated that 86 % of CSA cases went unreported by victims before adulthood.

Only 10–15 % of all CSA cases are reported to legal authorities.

* Sources: Ortiz, A. (2024). Delayed disclosure: A comprehensive report on delayed disclosure in cases of child sexual abuse — Insights, implications, and pathways forward. CHILD

COST OF PREDATORS IN THE US

The annual cost to incarcerate adults convicted of sex crimes against children in the United States approaches $5.4 billion.That staggering figure reflects incarceration alone. It does not include:

~Investigation and prosecution costs
~Court proceedings and appeals
~Administrative and judicial expenses
~Post-release supervision, monitoring, or registration
~Long-term civil commitment costs

A 2018 study estimated the lifetime economic burden of child sexual abuse in the U.S. at approximately $9.3 billion.

THE COST OF PREVENTING SEXUAL TRAUMA
Prevention isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Every year, billions of taxpayer dollars are spent responding to sexual crimes against children after the harm has already occurred. While accountability matters, our current system pours the majority of resources into incarceration, leaving prevention, education, and early intervention dangerously underfunded.

What if even a fraction of these billions were redirected toward:
Prevention education
Trauma-informed community programs
Early intervention and family support
Digital safety education for children and caregivers
Investing Upstream Saves Lives—and Money

True change happens before a child is harmed.

Every dollar invested in prevention reduces future trauma, lowers long-term costs, and protects lives that cannot be restored once broken

Prevention is not only more humane—it is far more cost-effective.

BEYOND INCARCERATION COSTS:
The immense long-term impact of abuse on survivors and society

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the lifetime economic burden of sexual trauma to be approximately $122,461 per victim, with the total societal impact in the U.S. reaching nearly $3.1 trillion.

For children, the average lifetime cost is estimated to be even higher, at $282,734 per female victim. These costs include child welfare, specialized education, and, most significantly, a long-term reduction in earning potential.

This accounts survivor's :

Healthcare and mental health treatment
Lost productivity and wages
Social services and support systems
Long-term impacts on families and communities

This figure DOES NOT represent the pain, lost potential, and lifelong consequences to each survivor—costs that no prison sentence can undo.

HIDDEN FINANCIAL COST OF CSA ON SURVIVORS

1. Long-Term Health and Mental Health Expenses

~Studies show that 29–33% of survivor's medical and mental health costs out-of-pocket

~Survivors frequently require long-term therapy to cope with PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
~Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs: Survivors face expenses for gynecological care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and chronic physical pain management.

2. Lost Productivity and Career Disruption

The largest component of the economic burden, estimated at over $1.6 trillion nationally, is lost productivity.
~Job Loss and Unemployment:

Survivors may be forced to quit their jobs, take extended unpaid leave, or face termination due to the trauma, leading to significant income loss.
~Reduced Earnings:

Research indicates that, survivors of sexual assault earn about $6,000 less per year than those who have not been assaulted.
~Decreased Productivity:

Long-lasting psychological effects survivors to concentrate, perform job duties, or work in specific environments.

3. Educational and Developmental Setbacks

For children and young adults, sexual trauma can have long-lasting, hidden financial implications.

Decreased Educational Attainment:

Survivors may experience disruptions in education, leading to lower lifetime earnings.

Special Education Costs: Sexually abused children are more likely to require special education services, adding to long-term costs.

4. Direct Costs of Safety and Security

Survivors often have to spend money to feel safe again.

Relocation Expenses: Costs associated with moving to a new home or changing schools to avoid an assailant.

Security Upgrades: Purchasing security systems, changing locks, or getting unlisted phone numbers.

Legal Fees: While criminal prosecution is free, victims may need to hire private attorneys for civil lawsuits.

Get Started

CRISIS REFERRAL RESOURCES

If you are experiencing an emergency please contact the below resources for appropriate help and guidance.

Life-threatening emergencies: 9-1-1
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673, rainn.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, thehotline.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
General assistance (USA and Canada): 211.org
Male survivors of child sexual abuse: 1in6.org
Reporting abuse: 1-800-4-A-CHILD, childhelp.org