U.S.: reported forcible rape cases 2023| Statista

In 2023, there were 127,216 reported rape cases in the United States. This figure also includes attempts and assaults to commit rape, but unforced statutory rape and other sex offenses are excluded.

Sexual assault in the U.S.

What is particularly common when it comes to sexual assault, is that many victims know their assailant. A rapist being a stranger lurking in the shadows is less likely than people may like to think. Additionally, most cases of rape or sexual assault in the United States often report the fact that the assailant did not have a weapon on them. These are frightening thoughts for anyone, which has led the U.S. to take a deeper look at what exactly is happening.

#metoo

Sexual assault, in any form, has been a long simmering problem in the U.S.; one which has only recently begun to be addressed in the public spotlight. The #metoo movement began to go viral in October 2017 in response to sexual assault allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The movement aims to show just how widespread sexual assault is, and over half of Americans support the movement.

Number of reported forcible rape cases in the United States from 1990 to 2023

Characteristic	Number of reported cases
2023	127,216
2022	140,384
2021	142,957
2020	132,870
2019	145,090
2018	146,310
2017	137,302
2016	131,702
2015	125,398
2014	118,466
2013*	114,927
2012	85,141
2011	84,175

80,00090,000100,000110,000120,000130,000140,000150,000

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Release date

September 2024

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

1990 to 2023

Supplementary notes

Forcible rape, as defined in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program prior to 2013, was the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Attempts or assaults to commit rape by force or threat of force are also included; however, statutory rape (without force) and other sex offenses are excluded.

*The FBI revised the definition of rape in 2013. The new definition is as follows: “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

The data from previous years can be accessed at the Uniform Crime Reports section on the Website of the FBI.

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