Newly Released Sexual Violence Data Brief – Violence is Preventable

The newly released National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2023/2024 Sexual Violence Data Brief by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presents findings that we are familiar with: sexual violence continues to be high across the nation. The survey reports that over 45% of women and almost 17% of men in the United States have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes.

The NISVS report analyzes data on sexual violence in the US collected in 2023 and 2024, and the findings align with Newcomb Institute’s 2024 #MeToo survey report, which can provide social context and background to the data brief.

For the first time, the report includes data on technology-facilitated sexual violence, a significant statistic that gives us insight into a contemporary experience. Technology-facilitated sexual violence stats include receiving unwanted sexual messages or images and distributing sexual images without consent. as well as verbal sexual harassment in the workplace. The report also provides data on another new statistic: sexual harassment in the workplace, highlighting the impact of the #MeToo movement. 

What the Data Says:

During a woman’s lifetime in the US:

• Almost half experience some kind of contact sexual violence (rape, being made to sexually penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact)
• 1 in 3 experience verbal sexual harassment in the workplace or in public
  • 30.4% in the workplace
  • 29.5% in public
• 28.2% report technology-facilitated sexual violence
  • 26.9% receiving unwanted sexual message(s) or image(s)
  • 6.8% distributing a sexual image or images without consent

For men in the US, during their lifetime: 

• 1 in 6 men experience some kind of contact sexual violence (rape, being made to sexually penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact)
• 1 in 3 experience verbal sexual harassment in the workplace or in public
• 11.3% report verbal sexual harassment in the workplace, and 7.1% in a public space
• 15.4% experience technology-facilitated sexual violence 
  • 14% receiving unwanted sexual message or image
  • 4.2% distributing a sexual image or images without consent

While the continuing high rate of sexual violence in the survey’s findings is disappointing, the survey acknowledges what we at PreventConnect have been working toward for the past 20 years: preventing sexual violence is possible. By increasing comprehensive prevention education and efforts that teach skills, address problematic social beliefs, create protective environments, increase economic stability, and support survivors, preventing sexual violence and creating stronger, healthier communities across the U.S. is possible and can be done. 

The CDC is planning to release a report on intimate partner violence soon. Look out for future PreventConnect blogs, podcasts, and web conferences to increase your knowledge and action to prevent violence.