A new analysis evaluating changes in in sexual harassment from 2018 to 2024 reported that the odds of someone self-reporting sexual harassment rose nearly three times between 2018 to 2024. The report specified that it’s unclear if incidents or just disclosure rates increased, but that there was no statistically significant difference between reporting by women and men.

The report, “Trends in Sexual Harassment in the United States: Analysis of the 2018 and 2024 #MeToo Surveys” by the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University with support by Stop Street Harassment, ValorUS®, and RALIANCE, also reports other, more unpleasant findings:

  • Lifetime prevalence of sexual harassment largely remained the same
    • Among women: 81% in 2018 – 82% in 2024
    • Among men: 43% in 2018 – 42% in 2024
  • Sexual harassment experienced in the last year doubled
    • Total – 10.7% in 2018 – 24.3% in 2024 
    • Among women: 14.3% – 31.8%
    • Among men: 6.7% – 15.2%

While the data shows more work needs to be done, the 3x increase of self-reporting between 2018 and 2024 suggests that the #MeToo Movement brought more attention, education, and awareness of sexual harassment and violence, opening opportunities for increased prevention initiatives, survivors accessing support and healing services, and action to shift culture. 

Read VALOR’s analysis of the 2024 #MeToo Survey and the corresponding Sexual Harassment and Assault in California: Findings from the #MeToo 2024 Survey for a more comprehensive view of the most recent survey’s findings and how we can prevent sexual harassment and violence in our communities.