Youths have higher rates of sexual assault victimization than adults.
- In 2000, the sexual assault victimization rate for youths 12 to 17 was 2.3 times (or 133%) higher than for adults, or 2.1 per 1,000, compared to an adult rate of .9 per 1,000, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.
A majority of sexual assaults reported to the police occur to juveniles.
- In 1999, 70% of forcible sex offenses and 97% of non-forcible sex offenses occurred against persons ages 0 through 17.
1999 National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data analysis, CCRC.
- According to a self-report study, 51% of lifetime rapes occur prior to age 18, and 29% prior to age 12.
Kilpatrick, D.C., Edmunds, C., Seymour, A. 1992. "Rape in America: A Report to the Nation" from "The National Women’s Study" sponsored by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Victim’s Center and National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. Washington, DC.
The rate of sexual assault of juveniles (12-17 years of age) has declined since 1993.
Changes in Rates of Sexual Assault 1993-2000
|
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
%Change 93-00 |
|
|
Number |
106,300 |
76,500 |
66,500 |
72,100 |
82,000 |
84,700 | 72,300 | 51,100 |
-52% |
|
Rate/1000 |
5.0 |
3.9 |
3.0 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.6 | 3.1 | 2.1 |
-58% |
CCRC data analysis using NCVS 1993-2000. See also, Jones, L. & Finkelhor, D. (2001). The Decline in Child Sexual Abuse Cases. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Delinquency and Prevention.
- Self-report studies suggest 20% of adult females and 5 to 10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident.
Finkelhor, D. 1994. Current Information on the Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse. The Future of Children, 4(2):31-53. Center for the Future of Children, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
