Sexual Assault & Harassment Statistics 2025: Why Documentation Matters More Than Ever

Sexual violence and harassment remain pervasive issues affecting millions of Americans every year. Understanding the scope of the problem, why incidents go unreported, and how documentation can help survivors is essential for anyone concerned about personal safety.

This comprehensive guide presents the latest statistics from authoritative sources including RAINN, the CDC, the Department of Justice, and the EEOC, along with practical information about how evidence collection can make a difference.

The Scope of Sexual Violence in America

How Often Does Sexual Assault Occur?

The numbers are staggering. According to [RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)](https://rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization:

**Every 68 seconds**, another American is sexually assaulted
An estimated **433,000 Americans** age 12 and older experience sexual violence each year
Over half of sexual violence victims are between ages **18 and 34**
**1 in 6 American women** has been the victim of attempted or completed rape
**1 in 33 American men** has been the victim of attempted or completed rape

These statistics represent reported and surveyed incidents. Experts believe the actual numbers are significantly higher.

Lifetime Prevalence: CDC Data

The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/about/index.html) provides even broader context through the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS):

**Over half of women** and almost **1 in 3 men** have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes
**1 in 4 women** and about 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape
**1 in 3 women** and about 1 in 9 men have experienced sexual harassment in a public place
The perpetrator is usually **someone the survivor knows**: a friend, intimate partner, coworker, neighbor, or family member

The Underreporting Crisis

Why Most Incidents Are Never Reported

Perhaps the most troubling statistic is how few incidents are ever reported to authorities. According to the [Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics](https://bjs.ojp.gov/taxonomy/term/sexual-assault):

Only **310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults** are reported to law enforcement
That means **more than 2 out of 3 incidents go unreported**
Among college age women who experience sexual violence, only **20% report** to law enforcement
When adults **65 and older** experience sexual violence, **72% do not report**

Why Survivors Don't Report

[RAINN's research](https://rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system) identifies the primary reasons survivors choose not to report:

**Fear of retaliation** from the perpetrator
**Belief that police won't help** or take it seriously
**Shame or embarrassment** about what happened
**Lack of evidence** to support their account
**Fear of not being believed** (he said/she said situations)
**Desire to protect the perpetrator** (often a known person)
**Concern about the legal process** being traumatic

The lack of evidence is particularly significant. Without documentation, survivors face an uphill battle in the legal system.

The Criminal Justice Reality

What Happens When Incidents Are Reported

Even when sexual assaults are reported, the path to justice is difficult. [RAINN's analysis of DOJ data](https://rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system) shows that out of every 1,000 sexual assaults:

| Stage | Number | |-------|--------| | Reported to police | 310 | | Lead to arrest | 50 | | Referred to prosecutors | 28 | | Lead to felony conviction | 25 | | Result in incarceration | 23 |

This means nearly 98% of perpetrators are never held fully accountable through the criminal justice system.

Why Cases Fall Apart

Cases fail to progress for several reasons:

**Insufficient evidence** to meet prosecutorial standards
**Delayed reporting** affects evidence collection
**Credibility challenges** without corroboration
**Witness reluctance** to get involved
**Resource limitations** in law enforcement

The pattern is clear: evidence matters. Cases with documentation, witnesses, or corroborating material are significantly more likely to progress.

Workplace Harassment: A Parallel Crisis

EEOC 2024 Statistics

Workplace harassment has reached historic levels according to the [U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)](https://www.eeoc.gov/data/enforcement-and-litigation-statistics-0):

The EEOC received **88,531 new discrimination charges** in FY 2024 (9% increase over 2023)
**35,774 charges alleged harassment**, constituting 40% of all charges
The agency secured nearly **$700 million** for over 21,000 victims, the highest recovery in EEOC history
Harassment charges have increased **over 47%** in the past three years

Sexual Harassment Trends

[EEOC data on sexual harassment](https://www.eeoc.gov/data/sexual-harassment-our-nations-workplaces) specifically shows:

| Fiscal Year | Sexual Harassment Charges | Monetary Recovery | |-------------|---------------------------|-------------------| | FY 2021 | 5,581 | $142.2 million | | FY 2022 | 6,201 | $144.1 million | | FY 2023 | 7,732 | $202.2 million | | FY 2024 | 8,000+ (est.) | $700M+ (total harassment) |

Workplace Harassment Prevalence

Recent studies paint a concerning picture:

**40% of working women** have experienced sexual harassment during their careers
Women under 30 are **just as likely** to experience harassment as women over 30, indicating the problem hasn't diminished
**60% of women** experience workplace sexual harassment according to some surveys
**50% of LGBTQI+ employees** have experienced workplace discrimination or harassment

The [McKinsey/LeanIn 2024 report](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/women-workplace-mckinsey-leanin-2024-report-sexual-harassment/) confirms that sexual harassment remains as common for women in the workplace as it was five years ago, despite increased awareness following the #MeToo movement.

The #MeToo Era: Progress and Challenges

What Has Changed

The 2024 #MeToo Report found:

**82% of women** and **42% of men** have experienced sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime
**73% of women** report harassment in public spaces (streets, parks, gyms, stores, public transit)
Reporting rates have increased slightly (34.8% vs 29.3% in 2004)
Monetary recoveries for victims have increased substantially

What Hasn't Changed

Despite increased awareness:

Overall prevalence rates remain largely unchanged
Young women face the same risks as previous generations
Most incidents still go unreported
Evidence remains the critical factor in successful cases

Why Documentation Changes Everything

The Evidence Gap

The single biggest factor in whether a case progresses is evidence. Survivors with documentation have significantly better outcomes:

**Recorded evidence** provides contemporaneous proof
**Transcripts** capture exact words and context
**Timestamps** establish when incidents occurred
**Patterns** become visible with ongoing documentation
**Credibility** is strengthened with corroboration

Types of Documentation That Help

Effective documentation includes:

**Audio recordings** of incidents or conversations
**Written logs** with dates, times, and details
**Screenshots** of messages, emails, or social media
**Witness information** and contact details
**Physical evidence** when applicable
**Medical records** if injuries occurred

Legal Considerations for Recording

Before recording, understand your jurisdiction's laws:

One party consent states (most US states): Only you need to know about the recording if you're part of the conversation.

Two party consent states (California, Florida, Illinois, etc.): All parties must consent to recording.

Always research your specific location's laws before recording conversations.

How Technology Can Help Survivors

The Role of Recording Apps

Modern technology provides tools that weren't available to previous generations. Voice recording apps can:

**Document incidents** as they happen
**Capture exact words** spoken by harassers or assailants
**Create timestamped evidence** for legal proceedings
**Preserve memories** that might otherwise fade
**Establish patterns** of ongoing behavior

Why Voice Activation Matters for Safety

In threatening or uncomfortable situations, traditional recording methods fall short:

You may not have time to unlock your phone
Fumbling with apps can escalate situations
Visible recording can provoke aggressors
Stress affects ability to operate devices

Voice activated recording solves these problems. Simply speaking a trigger phrase starts documentation without any visible phone interaction.

How Mic Buddy Helps

Mic Buddy was designed with personal safety in mind:

**Custom voice triggers**: Set any phrase to start recording instantly
**Hands free operation**: No need to touch your phone
**Background recording**: Works even when your phone is locked or in your pocket
**On device processing**: Your recordings never upload to external servers
**AI transcription**: Search and review recordings easily
**100+ languages**: Works for diverse communities

For survivors considering documentation, Mic Buddy provides a discreet, private way to capture evidence without alerting anyone that recording is happening.

Practical Steps for Personal Safety

Proactive Documentation

Consider documenting:

**Workplace interactions** that feel inappropriate
**Meetings** with people you don't fully trust
**Situations** where you feel uncomfortable
**Patterns** of behavior over time

Building an Evidence Record

If you're experiencing ongoing harassment:

**Start documenting immediately**, even if you're unsure it constitutes harassment
**Record specific incidents** with dates, times, and exact quotes when possible
**Save all digital communications** (texts, emails, DMs)
**Note potential witnesses** even if they didn't see everything
**Keep records in multiple secure locations**

Protecting Your Documentation

Use personal devices, not work equipment
Store backups in secure cloud storage
Don't share evidence until consulting an attorney
Maintain original files without editing

Looking Forward: What Needs to Change

Systemic Improvements Needed

The statistics make clear that current systems are failing survivors:

**Better reporting mechanisms** that protect survivors
**Improved investigation procedures** that don't retraumatize
**Stronger workplace protections** and enforcement
**More resources** for prosecution of cases
**Cultural change** that believes and supports survivors

Individual Empowerment

While systemic change takes time, individuals can:

**Educate themselves** about their rights and local laws
**Prepare documentation tools** before they're needed
**Support others** who come forward with their experiences
**Advocate** for better protections in workplaces and communities

Conclusion

The statistics are sobering: hundreds of thousands of Americans experience sexual violence each year, most incidents go unreported, and the vast majority of perpetrators face no consequences.

But within this reality lies an important insight: evidence matters. Cases with documentation are more likely to be believed, more likely to progress through the legal system, and more likely to result in accountability.

Technology like voice activated recording apps provides tools that previous generations didn't have. While no app can prevent assault or harassment, the ability to document incidents as they happen can be invaluable for survivors seeking justice.

Understanding your rights, knowing your local recording laws, and having documentation tools ready before you need them are practical steps anyone can take toward personal safety.

The goal isn't to live in fear. It's to be prepared. In an imperfect world where too many incidents go unreported and too few perpetrators face consequences, documentation can be the difference between being believed and being dismissed.

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[RAINN Statistics](https://rainn.org/statistics)
[CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey](https://www.cdc.gov/nisvs/about/index.html)
[DOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics](https://bjs.ojp.gov)
[EEOC Enforcement and Litigation Statistics](https://www.eeoc.gov/data/enforcement-and-litigation-statistics-0)
[EEOC Sexual Harassment Data](https://www.eeoc.gov/data/sexual-harassment-our-nations-workplaces)