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Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States. Rape and sexual assault are steadily growing crimes in the United States, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimating that 72 out of every 100,000 females in the United States is sexually assaulted. 1 In 2002, there were 247,730 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. 2 In addition, research has shown that some women who have a disability are at an increased risk of sexual assault and rape. 3

In General

  • 5.3 million sexual assaults occur each year among U.S. women ages 18 and over. 4
  • 91% of rape victims/survivors are women and 9% are men. 5
  • One in five (21 %) women report having been raped or physically or sexually assaulted in her lifetime. 6
  • In 75-85% of rape cases reported to the police, the perpetrator was known to the victim/survivor—a relative, parent, friend, co-worker, date, acquaintance or caregiver. 7
  • Approximately 28 percent of victims are raped by husbands or boyfriends, 35 percent by acquaintances, and 5 percent by other relatives. Only 32 percent of victims reported that the offender was a stranger. 8

For Women with Disabilities

  • The risk of being physically or sexually assaulted for adults with developmental disabilities is likely 4 to 10 times as high as it is for other adults. 9
  • In one study, the rate of repeat sexual abuse among women with developmental disabilities was found to be at more than 70%. 10
  • Research suggests that 97% to 99% of abusers are known and trusted by the victim/survivor who has an intellectual disability. Of those, 32% were family members or acquaintances and 44% had a relationship with the victim/survivor specifically related to the person’s disability (such as a residential care staff, transportation provider or personal care attendant). 11
  • For individuals with psychiatric disabilities, the rate of violent criminal victimization including sexual assault was 2 times greater than in the general population (8.2% vs. 3.1%). 12

1Uniform Crime statistics published by the U.S. Department of Justice.


2U.S. Department of Justice. Criminal Victimization, 2002. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, 2002. 21 Aug. 2006.


3Mahoney, P., and L. Williams. Sexual assault in marriage: Prevalence, consequences and treatment of wife rape. In Partner violence: A comprehensive review of 20 years of research. Eds. J. Jasinski & L. Williams. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998; Bergen, R. K. Wife rape: Understanding the response of survivors and service providers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1996


4Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women In the United States. Center for Disease Control, 2003. 21 Aug. 2006.


5Greenfeld, Lawrence A. Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault. Bureau of Justice Statistics: February 1997


6Tjaden, Patricia and Nancy Thoennes. Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey. U.S. Department of Justice: November 1998


7Tjaden, Patricia and Nancy Thoennes. Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey. U.S. Department of Justice: November 1998 (p.8)


8Uniform Crime Reports. Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1990. 21 Aug. 2006.


9Sobsey, 1994.


10Sobsey and Doe, 1991??


11Baladerian, N. Sexual Abuse of People with Developmental Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 9 (4), 323-335. 1991.


12Hidday, V.A., M. Swartz, J. Swanson, R. Borum, and H.R. Wagner. Criminal Victimization of Persons with Severe Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services 50 (1999): 62-68.