Sexual abuse is any form of non-consensual sexual contact or behavior, including rape, child molestation, incest, and other forms of sexual violence. Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 2.0 defines these acts as violations that can profoundly impact survivors' physical, emotional, and mental well-being. While sexual abuse affects people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds, immediate crisis assistance and long-term therapeutic support can prove invaluable for healing and recovery.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.org. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. Remember that healing is possible, and support is available.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Sexual Abuse
- Types of Sexual Assault and Abuse
- Prevalence and Impact
- Sexual Violence in Specific Populations
- Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Mental Health Effects
- Treatment and Recovery
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Therapy Can Help
Understanding Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse encompasses a range of unwanted sexual behaviors that violate a person's consent and autonomy. CSA, classified as an adverse childhood experience, heightens the risk of developing chronic, life-limiting conditions, including emotional, behavioral, social, and physical health impairments. Importantly, sexual abuse is never solely about sex—it's fundamentally about power, control, and violation of boundaries.
Key facts about sexual abuse:
- An estimated 443,635 people age 12+ experience sexual violence each year in the U.S.
- Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted
- Almost half of all rape survivors were first raped as minors
- Sexual abuse affects all demographics, though certain populations face disproportionate risk
Types of Sexual Assault and Abuse
Sexual Assault Categories
Sexual abuse and assault encompass multiple forms of violence, each with specific legal and clinical definitions:
Rape: Forced sexual penetration without consent, including situations where the victim is incapacitated, threatened, or unable to give legal consent. Rape is any completed or attempted unwanted vaginal (for women), oral, or anal penetration using physical force (such as being pinned or held down, or by the use of violence) or threats to physically harm.
Sexual Assault: Any non-consensual sexual contact, including:
- Unwanted touching of sexual body parts
- Forced sexual acts
- Sexual contact with minors
- Sexual violence involving force, threats, or incapacitation
Child Sexual Abuse: Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements, Version 2.0. Atlanta (GA): National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2014 defines this as any sexual contact with a child, including:
- Physical sexual contact
- Non-contact abuse (exposure, voyeurism, pornography)
- Online sexual exploitation
- Sexual abuse by family members (incest)
Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence: Modern forms include:
- Non-consensual sharing of intimate images
- Online sexual harassment
- Sextortion
- Digital sexual coercion
Prevalence and Impact
Current Statistics
Recent data from the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reveals the widespread nature of sexual violence:
- Nationally, almost half of women and more than 1 in 6 men in the United States experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes
- Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence
- Meta-analysis of 22 unique samples (N = 2,106) indicated that 74.58% (95% CI: 67.21, 81.29) and 41.49% (95% CI: 32.36, 50.92) of individuals met diagnostic criteria for PTSD at the first and twelfth month following sexual assault, respectively
Gender-Specific Findings
While sexual violence affects all genders, patterns differ:
- One-quarter of women and about one in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape
- 1 in 5 male victims reported only male perpetrators, 1 in 2 had only female perpetrators, and about 1 in 6 had both male and female perpetrators
- Walker and colleagues interviewed 40 male rape survivors, leading to a detailed and descriptive analysis of the impact of the assault on men
Sexual Violence in Specific Populations
Military Service Members
Sexual violence remains a significant concern within military settings:
- This report contains information on sexual assault reports made during FY24 shows recent improvements
- This year's annual report shows that the estimated prevalence of sexual assault and harassment declined in the active force, compared to levels last measured in 2021. This is the first time in nearly 10 years that the Department has seen a decrease in sexual assault prevalence
- Pentagon officials said they believe some 6,800 fewer active-duty service members experienced unwanted sexual contact in fiscal year 2023 than in 2021 based on confidential surveys that the Defense Department sends active-duty troops every other year. The drop last year to about 29,000 sexual assaults — ranging from unwelcome groping to rape — was statistically significant
Despite progress, challenges remain:
- Many survivors still don't report due to fear of retaliation
- Less than half of women in the military trust their chain of command to properly handle reports of sexual assault
- Male service members face particular barriers to reporting
LGBTQ+ Communities
LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately high rates of sexual violence:
- Nearly 50% of transgender people report experiencing sexual assault at some point in their lives
- Native Americans are at the greatest risk of sexual violence (twice as likely to experience rape or sexual assault compared to all races)
- 23% of LGBTQ+ young people reported that they have been physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity
- Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women are more than five times more likely than non-LBT women to experience violent victimization
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Sexual violence disproportionately affects communities of color:
- More than 1 in 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States were raped in their lifetime
- 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime
- More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Prevalence and Characteristics
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) remains alarmingly common:
- About one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience childhood sexual abuse
- Of sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of juvenile victims knew the perpetrator
- Children are most vulnerable between ages 7-13
- Children who were sexually abused report symptoms such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, self-harm, and inappropriate sexual behavior
Warning Signs in Children
Parents and caregivers should be aware of potential indicators:
Physical signs:
- Torn or stained underwear
- Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections
- Unexplained injuries to genital areas
- Regression in toilet training
Behavioral and emotional signs:
- Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior
- Nightmares or sleep disturbances
- Withdrawal from activities or relationships
- Excessive anger or tantrums
- Sudden changes in school performance
- Fear of specific people or places
Long-Term Impact
The overall prognosis varies widely and depends on the severity and duration of the abuse, the relationship with the perpetrator, the presence of supportive caregivers, and access to mental health care. With timely diagnosis and intervention, trauma-informed counseling, and a strong support system, many children demonstrate resilience and recover without long-term psychological harm. However, CSA can adversely affect physical and mental health and lead to lifelong complications. Early identification, therapeutic support, and interprofessional care significantly improve the prognosis.
Mental Health Effects
Immediate and Short-Term Effects
Sexual assault can produce immediate psychological responses:
- Immediately following sexual assault, the majority of survivors experience PTSD symptoms. Prospective studies demonstrate that, over the months following sexual assault, many survivors experience at least some natural remission of their initial symptoms
- In a meta-analysis published in Trauma, Violence & Abuse, researchers found that 81% of sexual assault survivors had significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTSD) one week after the assault. One month afterward – the first point in time that PTSD can be diagnosed – 75% of sexual assault survivors met criteria for the disorder
Long-Term Psychological Impact
Research consistently shows sexual violence survivors face elevated risks for:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Meta-analysis indicated that 74.58% and 41.49% of individuals met diagnostic criteria for PTSD at the first and 12th month following sexual assault, respectively. PTSD symptom severity was 47.94% and 29.91% of scales' maximum severity at the first and 12th month following sexual assault
- Most symptom recovery occurred within the first 3 months following sexual assault, after which point the average rate of recovery slowed. Findings indicate that PTSD is common and severe following sexual assault, and the first 3 months postassault may be a critical period for natural recovery
Depression and Anxiety
- People exposed to SA were significantly more symptomatic than unassaulted comparisons across a range of forms of psychopathology, including anxiety (g = 0.53), depression (g = 0.60)
- Results indicated that most disorders were more prevalent in survivors of SA, and depressive disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were especially prevalent
Other Mental Health Concerns
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Self-harm behaviors
- Suicidal ideation
- Sleep disturbances
- Relationship difficulties
Impact on Male Survivors
Male survivors face unique challenges:
- Studies have also identified higher rates of mood disturbances, anxiety, suicidal ideation and behavior, non-suicide self-injury, grief and loss reactions, drug abuse, somatic problems, sleep difficulties, sexual difficulties, increased changes in self-perception, social dysfunction, stigma, shame, lower self-esteem, hostility, fantasies about revenge, and an increase in a sense of vulnerability
- Research shows that men—whether civilian or military—are less likely to report sexual assault or harassment, to identify experiences they have had as abusive, and to seek formal treatment for such harms. Men may not feel they can come forward if they have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, often because of attitudes and stereotypes surrounding masculinity. These societal perceptions and pressures can lead to complex trauma
Treatment and Recovery
Evidence-Based Therapies
Recent systematic reviews have identified several effective treatments for sexual assault survivors:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Dworkin and colleagues (2023) found that 1 week following SA, 81% of survivors experienced symptoms of ASD, a precursor to PTSD. One month later, when PTSD can be diagnosed, 75% met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria for PTSD (APA, 2013). The majority of SA survivors experience PTSD symptoms
- Particularly effective for survivors with PTSD symptoms
- Helps process trauma memories and develop coping skills
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Both TF-CBT and EMDR are recommended by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for treating PTSD in child and adult populations, with a common form being a cycle of eight to 12 individual outpatient sessions
- Helps process traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation
- Effective for reducing PTSD symptoms
Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy
- Gradual, controlled exposure to trauma-related memories
- Helps reduce avoidance and process emotions
- Strong evidence base for PTSD treatment
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts related to trauma
- Effective for PTSD and depression symptoms
- Can be delivered individually or in groups
Treatment Considerations
For Children and Adolescents:
- Single-group pretest-posttest designs and randomized controlled designs produced consistent findings that almost all sexually abused children improve significantly after the completion of treatment
- Within single-group pretest-posttest designs, the mean weighted effect sizes for PTSD symptoms (d = .51), externalizing (d = .47) and internalizing (d = .50) problems were medium. These meta-analytic results suggest that psychological treatment is effective in reducing levels of PTSD symptoms, externalizing, and internalizing problems following childhood sexual abuse
- Family involvement often enhances treatment outcomes
- Play therapy may be appropriate for younger children
Treatment Duration and Setting:
- Most evidence-based treatments involve 8-16 sessions
- Individual therapy is most common
- Group therapy can provide peer support
- Online/telehealth options increasingly available
Barriers to Treatment
Several factors may prevent survivors from seeking help:
Stigma and Shame
- Fear of not being believed
- Self-blame and guilt
- Cultural or religious barriers
- Men's hesitation in disclosing past abuse may come from concerns about the stigma of homosexuality or tension with the male ethic of self-reliance, in which help-seeking behaviors are perceived as unmasculine
Practical Barriers
- Cost of treatment
- Lack of specialized providers
- Transportation challenges
- Work or childcare conflicts
System Barriers
- Long waitlists
- Limited culturally competent care
- Inadequate insurance coverage
- Geographic isolation
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a sexual assault?
Your safety and well-being are the top priorities. Consider:
- Getting to a safe place away from the attacker
- Calling a trusted friend, family member, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE)
- Seeking medical care at a hospital emergency room or specialized clinic
- Preserving evidence by not showering, changing clothes, or cleaning up if you're considering reporting
- Remember that what happened is not your fault, regardless of the circumstances
How do I know if what happened to me was sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse includes any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without your explicit consent. This includes situations where you were:
- Physically forced or threatened
- Unable to consent due to age, intoxication, or incapacitation
- Manipulated, coerced, or pressured
- Touched sexually without permission
If you're unsure, speaking with a trained counselor can help you process your experience.
Will therapy really help? How long does healing take?
Research shows that therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety following sexual assault. One of the main takeaways is that the majority of recovery from post-traumatic stress happens in the first three months, though healing is a personal journey that varies for each individual. Many survivors report that while they may always carry the experience, therapy helps them reclaim their lives and find meaning beyond the trauma.
What if the abuse happened years ago?
It's never too late to seek help. Many survivors don't disclose abuse until years or even decades later. I still have a kind of anger that is always present. Against institutions, against justice, actually. Against French laws which are really… not even badly made, actually, but which are made against the victims, really. Trauma can have lasting effects, but effective treatments are available regardless of when the abuse occurred.
How can I support a loved one who has been sexually abused?
Supporting a survivor requires patience, compassion, and respect for their autonomy:
- Believe them and thank them for trusting you
- Listen without judgment or pressure to share details
- Respect their decisions about reporting or seeking help
- Offer practical support (accompanying to appointments, helping with daily tasks)
- Educate yourself about trauma and its effects
- Maintain their confidentiality unless they're in immediate danger
- Take care of your own emotional needs through self-care or counseling
What if I'm a male survivor? Will people take me seriously?
Male survivors face unique challenges due to societal stereotypes, but your experience is valid and deserving of support. Sexual violence perpetrated against men is under-studied. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey estimates approximately 42% of men in the United States experience completed or attempted penetrative sexual assault, with over 10% of men reporting being made to penetrate another person during their lifetime. Men are less likely to formally report sexual assault. Only 15% of sexual assaults against men are reported—compared to approximately 30% of sexual assaults against women. Many therapists are trained to work sensitively with male survivors, and support is available through specialized resources.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy provides a safe, confidential space to process trauma and develop coping strategies. A skilled therapist can help you:
Process Traumatic Memories
- Work through difficult emotions at your own pace
- Reduce intrusive thoughts and flashbacks
- Develop a coherent narrative of your experience
Build Coping Skills
- Learn grounding techniques for anxiety
- Develop healthy emotional regulation strategies
- Improve sleep and daily functioning
Address Related Concerns
- Work through feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
- Improve relationships and intimacy
- Address substance use or self-harm behaviors
Reclaim Your Life
- Rediscover your sense of safety and control
- Reconnect with your values and goals
- Build resilience and post-traumatic growth
Finding the Right Therapist
When seeking a therapist, consider:
- Specialized training in trauma and sexual assault
- Experience working with survivors of your gender/age group
- Therapeutic approach that resonates with you
- Cultural competence and understanding
- Your comfort level and sense of safety with them
Remember, you have the right to:
- Ask questions about their experience and approach
- Take time to find the right fit
- Change therapists if needed
- Set the pace of your healing journey
[Find a trauma-informed therapist through the GoodTherapy directory](/find-therapist)
Recovery from sexual abuse is possible. With appropriate support, many survivors not only heal but discover newfound strength, purpose, and connection. You deserve support, and help is available when you're ready.
References:
- Human Rights Campaign. (2024). An epidemic of violence 2024: Fatal violence against the transgender and gender expansive community in the United States in 2023/2024. https://reports.hrc.org/an-epidemic-of-violence-2024
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2024). About SAAM 2024: Building connected communities. https://www.nsvrc.org/about-saam-2024/
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). (2025). Statistics: The scope of the problem. https://rainn.org/statistics
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). (2025). Statistics: Campus sexual violence. https://rainn.org/facts-statistics-the-scope-of-the-problem/statistics-campus-sexual-violence/
- The Trevor Project. (2023). 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/
- The Trevor Project. (2025). Sexual violence and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ young people. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/sexual-violence-and-suicide-risk-among-lgbtq-young-people/
