Preventing Sexual Violence

2017

What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence is a serious public health problem that affects millions of people each year. Sexual activity when consent is not 

obtained or not freely given is sexual violence. Sexual violence impacts every community and affects people of all genders, 

sexual orientations, and ages—anyone can experience or perpetrate sexual violence. The perpetrator of sexual violence is usually 

someone known to the victim, such as a friend, current or former intimate partner, coworker, neighbor, or family member.

Sexual violence is associated with several risk and protective factors. It is connected to other forms of violence, and causes serious 

health and economic consequences. By using a public health approach that addresses risk and protective factors for multiple 

types of violence, sexual violence and other forms of violence can be prevented.1

How big is the problem?

Sexual violence is a significant problem in the United States, but researchers know that the numbers underestimate the problem. 

Many cases go unreported—victims may be ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid to tell the police, friends, or family about the violence. 

Victims may also keep quiet because they have been threatened with further harm if they tell anyone or do not think that anyone 

will help them. 

Still, we do have data that show:

•	 Sexual violence is common. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during 

their lifetimes. About 1 in 5 women have experienced completed or attempted rape and 1 in 17 men have been made to 

penetrate someone else in their lifetime.2

•	 Sexual violence starts early. 1 in 3 female rape victims experienced it for the first time between 11-17 years old and 1 in 

9 reported that it occurred before age 10.2

•	 Sexual violence is costly. Recent estimates put the cost of rape alone at $122,461 per victim, including medical costs, 

lost productivity, criminal justice activities, and other costs.3 Sexual violence also has a high emotional cost for victims.

women experienced 

sexual violence involving 

physical contact during

her lifetime.

About 1 in 3

men experienced sexual 

violence involving 

physical contact during

his lifetime.

About 1 in 6 Estimated Lifetime

Cost of Rape

per victim

$122,461

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 

Division of Violence Prevention
What are the consequences?

The consequences of sexual violence are physical, like bruising and genital injuries, 

and psychological, such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.4

The consequences may also be chronic; victims may suffer from post-traumatic stress 

disorder, experience re-occurring gynecological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and 

sexual health problems. 4

Sexual violence is also linked to negative health behaviors. For example, victims are 

more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, use drugs, and engage in risky sexual activity.2

The trauma resulting from sexual violence can have an impact on a survivor’s 

employment in terms of time off from work, diminished performance, job loss, or 

being unable to work. These disrupt earning power and have a long-term effect 

on the economic well-being of survivors and their families. Readjustment after 

victimization can be challenging: victims may have difficulty in their personal 

relationships, in returning to work or school, and in regaining a sense of normalcy.2

In addition, sexual violence is connected to and perpetuates other forms of violence. 

For example, girls who have been sexually abused are more likely to experience other 

forms of violence and additional sexual violence, and be a victim of intimate partner 

violence in adulthood.1 Perpetrating bullying in early middle school is associated with 

sexual harassment perpetration in adolescence.5

 

How can we stop sexual violence before it starts?

CDC developed a technical package to help communities take advantage of the 

best available evidence to prevent sexual violence. The strategies and approaches 

in the technical package are intended to impact individual behaviors as well as the 

relationship, family, school, community, and societal factors that influence risk and 

protective factors for violence. 

Promote 

Social Norms that 

Protect Against 

Violence

• Bystander 

approaches

• Mobilizing 

 men and boys 

 as allies

Teach

Skills to 

Prevent Sexual 

Violence

• Social-emotional 

learning

• Teaching healthy, 

safe dating 

and intimate 

relationship skills 

to teens

• Promoting 

healthy sexuality

• Empowermentbased training

Provide Opportunities 

to Empower 

and Support Girls 

and Women

• Strengthening 

economic 

supports for 

women and 

families

• Strengthening 

leadership and 

opportunities 

for girls

Create 

Protective

Environments

• Improving safety 

and monitoring 

in schools

• Establishing and

consistently 

applying 

workplace 

policies

• Addressing 

community-level 

risks through 

environmental 

approaches

Support 

Victims/Survivors 

to Lessen Harms

• Victim-centered 

services

• Treatment for 

victims of SV

• Treatment for 

at-risk children 

and families to 

prevent problem 

behavior 

including sex 

offending

STOP

SV

STOP SV:

A Technical Package to 

Prevent Sexual Violence

A technical package is a collection 

of strategies based on the best 

available evidence to prevent or 

reduce public health problems. The 

strategy lays out the direction and 

actions to prevent sexual violence.

The approach includes the specific 

ways to advance the strategy through 

programs, policies and practices. The 

evidence for each of the approaches 

in preventing sexual violence and 

associated risk factors is also included.

References

1. Preventing Multiple Forms of Violence: A 

Strategic Vision for Connecting the Dots. 

(2016). Atlanta, GA: National Center for 

Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention.

2. Smith SG, Chen J, Basile KC, Gilbert LK, 

Merrick MT, Patel N, Walling M, Jain A. 

(2017). The National Intimate Partner and 

Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 

State Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center 

for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention.

3. Peterson C, DeGue S, Florence C, Lokey C. 

(2017). Lifetime Economic Burden of Rape 

in the United States. American Journal of 

Preventive Medicine 52(6): 691-701.

4. Basile KC and Smith SG. (2011). Sexual 

Violence Victimization of Women: 

Prevalence, Characteristics, and the Role 

of Public Health and Prevention. American 

Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (5): 407-417.

5. Espelage DL, Basile KC, Hamburger 

ME. (2012). Bullying perpetration and 

subsequent sexual violence perpetration 

among middle school students. Journal of 

Adolescent Health 50(1): 60-65.

1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) • www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention