Statistics: Sexual Violence Against College Students

Campus Sexual Violence

College-age people face a high risk of rape.

In a 2018 paper on college party culture, law enforcement agencies documented one reported rape every 20 days for victims aged 17-24.

These college-age victims accounted for about one-third of all rapes reported to law enforcement.

Campus Sexual Violence

1 in 8 students experiences sexual violence during college.

The 2019 Campus Climate Survey found that 13% of undergraduate students experienced rape or sexual assault after enrolling in college.

That’s about:

• 1 in 4 undergrad women (26%)

• 1 in 14 undergrad men (7%)

who experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent since enrolling at their school.

Campus prevention must begin early, continue consistently, and reach students where they live, study, socialize, and seek support.

Campus Sexual Violence

The “red zone” is real.

For undergraduate women, the first year of college is a particularly high-risk time. The early months of a student’s college experience are often called the “red zone”.

Among undergraduate women, 16% reported nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent in their first year.

The rate slowly decreased in later years, with 14% of undergraduate women reporting sexual assault in the second year, 12% in the third year, and 11% in the fourth year or higher.

The data show why colleges must reach students before and during the first weeks of campus life, not only after harm has already occurred. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Rape reports spike on football game days.

At U.S. colleges with Division 1 football programs, women ages 17-24 reported 28% more rape victimizations on game days.

On away game days, rape reports increased by 15%.

On home game days, rape reports increased by 41%

Researchers suggest that game days may intensify partying, alcohol use, social contact, and perceived opportunity—all of which can be linked to increased reports of rape involving college-age victims. ¹Lindo, Jason M., Peter Siminski, and Isaac D. Swensen. 2018. “College Party Culture and Sexual Assault.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 10 (1): 236–65. DOI: 10.1257/app.20160031

Campus Sexual Violence

Risk rises with every year a student attends college.

The most recent Campus Climate Survey estimated the prevalence of rape and sexual assault among undergraduates who had reached at least their fourth year of college.

An estimated 1 in 5 (21%) experiences rape or sexual assault involving “physical force or inability to consent” when they attend college for four years or more.

The breakdown? 1 in 3 (32%) undergrad women and about 1 in 12 (8%) undergrad men experience rape or sexual assault during four-plus years in college. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Graduate & professional students are also at risk.

Students’ risk can vary by where they are in their education. 

After enrolling in graduate or professional programs, students still experience nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent—though the rate for these students is lower than for undergrads:

• 1 in 10 of women in graduate or professional programs

• 1 in 33 men in graduate or professional programs

This data shows why campus prevention must begin early and continue for every student group. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

2 in 5 college students experience sexual harassment.

According to the 2019 Campus Climate Survey, nearly 42% of students reported experiencing at least one sexually harassing behavior since enrolling at their school. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

3 in 5 perpetrators are not strangers.

Among reports of rape involving college-age victims aged 17–24, 60% involved a perpetrator known to the victim. 

Among known perpetrators, 69% were described as an acquaintance or friend.

Campus and community prevention must address harm that happens within social circles, not only harm by strangers. ¹Lindo, Jason M., Peter Siminski, and Isaac D. Swensen. 2018. “College Party Culture and Sexual Assault.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 10 (1): 236–65. DOI: 10.1257/app.20160031

Campus Sexual Violence

10% of college students experience abuse in relationships.

Among students in partnered relationships, 10% experienced intimate partner violence while in college.

Relationship abuse can include sexual violence along with patterns of control, fear, intimidation, physical harm, or isolation.

College prevention must help students recognize harmful relationship behavior early and know where to turn for support. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

6% of students experience stalking while in college.

Stalking usually involves someone the student knows. 

Among stalking perpetrators: 

• 31% were someone the victim recognized

• 25% were someone the victim considered a friend

• 33% were someone who dated the victim

Schools must recognize that stalking may not be committed by a stranger. It can come from someone familiar, such as another student, a faculty or staff member, or someone else tied to the student’s sense of safety. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Authority can play a role in sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment can be especially difficult to navigate when the harasser has influence over a student’s academic path, funding, research, evaluation, or future career.

This is the case when a faculty member or instructor sexually harasses a student.

The perpetrator was a faculty member or instructor in:

• 24% of incidents against undergraduate women

• 18% of incidents against undergraduate men

• 6% of incidents against women in graduate or professional programs

• 4% of incidents against men in graduate or professional programs

These numbers show why campus response must account for authority, retaliation concerns, and the risks students face in academic and professional settings. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Most rape survivors face serious mental health effects.

After any nonconsensual sexual contact, many students report behavioral or emotional consequences. These mental health effects can shape their entire college experience: how they navigate campus, attend class, maintain relationships, seek support, and feel safe.

Among student-survivors of rape, approximately 92% of women reported at least one behavioral or emotional consequence. 79% of men reported these consequences.

Campus response must recognize that sexual violence can affect far more than one moment. Survivors need support that helps them stay connected to support, school, and community. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is tied to lower grades & higher stress.

Across North American studies, sexual violence was linked to: 

• Poor GPA

• More academic difficulty

• Lower academic confidence

• Higher collegiate stress

• Lower connection to the school

• Lower scholastic conscientiousness

One study found that rape had the most pronounced negative effect on academic outcomes among the forms of harm studied.

Students who experience sexual violence need more than emotional support. They may also need academic support that helps them stay safe, remain connected, and continue their education. ¹Molstad, T. D., Weinhardt, J. M., & Jones, R. (2023). Sexual Assault as a Contributor to Academic Outcomes in University: A Systematic Review. Trauma, violence & abuse, 24(1), 218–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211030247

Campus Sexual Violence

Sexual harassment impacts campus life & academics.

Sexual harassment can shape whether students feel safe, how they participate, whether they can focus, and whether campus feels like a place where they belong.

Nearly 1 in 5 students (19%) reported sexually harassing behavior that interfered with academic or professional performance, limited their ability to participate in an academic program, or created an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Campus sexual harassment is not just inappropriate behavior. It can become a barrier to learning, participation, and safety. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Student survivors face 2x as many negative impacts.

After sexual assault, many student survivors find themselves trying to manage the effects of trauma—all while trying to keep up with classes, assignments, grades, and campus life.

One North American study found that 35% of student survivors of sexual assault experienced unwanted academic consequences, including: 

• Dropping a class

• Inability to complete assignments

• Falling grades

The same study found that student survivors of sexual assault experienced 200% more negative academic outcomes than other college students.

The impact on a student’s education is just one of the ways sexual violence can permanently affect a survivor’s life. Colleges must establish support pathways that help student survivors stay in school and build the future they deserve. ¹Molstad, T. D., Weinhardt, J. M., & Jones, R. (2023). Sexual Assault as a Contributor to Academic Outcomes in University: A Systematic Review. Trauma, violence & abuse, 24(1), 218–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211030247

Campus Sexual Violence

1 in 4 students see sexual violence as a serious problem.

About 1 in 4 college students said sexual assault and misconduct were “very” or “extremely” problematic at their schools.

Students are noticing the problem. Campus leaders need to listen, respond, and build prevention strategies that reflect what students are experiencing. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

About 1 in 7 students may have a chance to intervene.

When a college student witnesses the warning signs of abuse or assault, that could be an opportunity to intervene, prevent, and support.

• 26% of students report witnessing sexual comments that made others feel uncomfortable or upset.

• 15% report witnessing situations they believed could have led to sexual assault.

• 13% report witnessing controlling or abusive behavior. 

• 7% report witnessing sexual harassment.

Students, staff, and faculty need to know how to recognize warning signs, intervene safely, and connect people with support. These responses can stop harmful behaviors before they escalate further and increase safety for everyone on campus. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Too few students know where to find help.

Students cannot use resources they do not know exist. Clear information about sexual assault, support options, and reporting pathways must reach students before they are in crisis.

A little more than 1 in 3 students felt confident in their knowledge about the definition of sexual assault (37%), where to get help (37%), or how to report it (32%).

Campus response begins before a report is made. Students need accessible, repeated information about where to turn, what support is available, and what choices they have. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Fewer than 1 in 3 student survivors receive help.

When students experience rape, only 30% of women and 18% of men received help from a campus program or resource.

Women who did not seek help after experiencing rape gave these reasons:

• 20% said they preferred to handle it themselves.

• 17% did not think the incident was serious enough.

• 16% felt embarrassed, ashamed, or too emotionally overwhelmed to seek support.

These reasons show why campus resources must be visible, confidential, easy to reach, and prepared to respond without judgment.

Campus Sexual Violence

Trauma-informed counseling is central to survivor healing.

When college students sought help after experiencing sexual violence, 47% sought counseling.

Fewer contacted law enforcement: 

• 11% contacted campus police

• 9% contacted local police

These numbers show that many survivors may seek emotional support before, instead of, or without contacting police. Campus response should ensure that every pathway to help is clear and accessible. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Students give campus resources mixed reviews.

When students reached out to a campus program or resource after sexual violence: 

• 41% felt it was very or extremely helpful.

• 35% felt the program was minimally or “not at all” helpful.

Reaching out takes courage. When students ask for help, campus programs must be ready to respond with care, clarity, and practical support. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)

Campus Sexual Violence

Student survivors have less trust in their schools.

A student’s trust in their school can determine whether they seek help, report, or tell someone what happened.

Overall, 66% of students believed their school would take reports of sexual assault seriously.

Among students who had been victimized, however, that number dropped to 45%.

The gap shows why schools must do more than tell students they will be taken seriously. Colleges have to earn trust through clear policies, survivor-centered support, and consistent response. ¹Cantor, D., Fisher, B., Chibnall, S., Harps, S., Townsend, R., Thomas, G., Lee, H., Kranz, V., Herbison, R., & Madden, K., Association of American Universities, “Report on the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct”, (2019) (January 2020)