New Sexual Violence Data Report: Rates Remain High but Prevention is Possible

December 16, 2025 |
VALOR

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published the 2023/2024 Sexual Violence Data Brief, providing findings from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). 

The Sexual Violence Data Brief analyzes data collected in 2023 and 2024, and the report’s conclusions are not surprising: the number of women experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime remains high across the nation. The survey found 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

For the first time, the report includes measures on technology-facilitated adult sexual violence, as well as verbal sexual harassment in the workplace. By providing technology-facilitated sexual violence, which includes receiving unwanted sexual messages or images and distributing sexual images without consent, preventionists have insight into contemporary issues and can better plan technology-focused prevention initiatives. In their lifetime, over 30% of women have experienced verbal sexual harassment in the workplace, over 29% of women have experienced sexual harassment in a public place, and over 28% of women have experienced Technology-facilitated sexual violence.

In California, the survey was able to compile estimates of sexual violence.
For women in California over their lifetime:

  • An estimated 6,397,000 women have experienced physical sexual violence that includes rape, being made to sexually penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact
  • An estimated 2,920,000 women have experienced completed or attempted rape
  • An estimated 2,546,000 women have experienced sexual coercion
  • An estimated 5,769,000 women have experienced unwanted sexual contact

For men in California:

  • An estimated 2,223,000 men have experienced physical sexual violence that includes rape, being made to sexually penetrate someone else, sexual coercion, and/or unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime.

The report concluded by acknowledging that sexual harassment and violence are preventable and that increasing prevention initiatives at the local, state, and national levels is possible. Comprehensive efforts that include teaching prevention skills, addressing social belief systems, and creating protective environments, like economic stability and supporting survivors, can prevent sexual violence. Prevention is possible, so check out a few of VALOR’s resources to learn more about sexual assault in California and increasing sexual violence prevention in your community!

 

Read the report today and check out PreventConnect’s blog for insight on national data!