CalVEX 2025: New Study on Sexual Violence and Need for Prevention

May 26, 2026 |
VALOR

Millions of Californians experience many forms of violence, including sexual violence, according to a new study. UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy and the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University have released findings from their 2025 California Violence Experiences (CalVEX) Survey that give us greater insight into different forms of violence that Californians experience throughout their lives, specifically sexual violence, physical violence, and intimate partner violence (IPV). 

The survey results present compelling data on experiences for adults in California. 

During their lifetimes, an estimated:

  • 52% (~16million people) have experienced some form of sexual violence,
  • 51% (~16million people) have experienced physical violence, and
  • 52% (~16 million people) have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).

It additionally finds that transgender and gender non-conforming people experience disproportionately high levels of violence in their lifetimes, with almost: 

  • 9 in 10 experiencing physical violence, 
  • 4 in 5 experiencing some form of sexual violence, and 
  • 1 in 5 experiencing forced sex.

The CalVEX survey additionally provides insight into self-reported acts of violence, which most other reports don’t include in their survey or data. It found that 20% of adults indicated that they have physically harmed someone, and 14% indicated that they have sexually assaulted or harassed someone (with 1% indicating that they forced sex on someone else). Data also found that people who experienced sexual violence in the past year were 10x more likely to have sexually harmed someone else in the past year, and those who experienced physical violence were 28x more likely to have physically harmed someone else in the past year.

Data presented in the CalVEX report can be used in conjunction with information presented in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2023/2024 Sexual Violence Data Brief (NISVS), which presents predominantly national but also includes state-level data. Together, they can give a broad and in-depth picture of the violence that Californians are experiencing.

The CalVEX Report recommendations align with VALOR’s work in prevention. The report recommends support for communities with fewer social and economic protections that also often experience higher levels of sexual violence – LGBTQ+, Black, Native and Indigenous, Latinx, and immigrants –, provide physical and mental health care, including substance abuse services, and strengthen economic security and safety nets that are imperative to preventing sexual, physical, and intimate partner violence. 

 

On April 30th, VALOR and the CalVEX team hosted a web conference on the data presented in the report. Watch below!