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The Prevalence of Sexual Violence in The U.S.
Sexual violence encompasses many facets of sexual crimes, including sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape — and is a widespread and concerning problem in the United States. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime. Colorado specifically has its own set of alarming statistics compared to the United States. Here are the numbers you need to know.
Colorado Sexual Violence Statistics
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), it’s estimated that 1 in 3 people in Colorado will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime, and 80% of survivors will have experienced sexual violence before the age of 25. Here are other statistics (2010) reported by the CDPHE:
- 42% of victims experienced their first completed rape before age 18
- The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence acts other than rape:
- Women: 47.4%, compared to 44.6% in the U.S. as a whole.
- Men: 26.5% compared to 22.2% in the U.S. as a whole
The 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Report included data collected from 46,537 students at 199 schools and found that:
- 10.1% of female students and 3.4% of male students reported being physically forced to have sexual intercourse without consent.
- 8% of surveyed students admitted making unwelcome sexual comments, jokes, gestures, or leering.
- 4% of Colorado students surveyed admitted to touching, grabbing, pinching, or handling someone sexually despite being unwelcome.
- 9.5% of the students reported they experienced physical dating or relationship violence.
How Survivors of Sexual Violence Can Get Help and Support
At Colorado Sex Abuse Law we understand that it’s challenging to speak out against your perpetrator and can mean reliving the experience all over again. Many survivors are afraid to tell their story due to fear of retaliation from their perpetrator or victim blaming. Know that the sexual assault you endured was not your fault, we believe you, and you are not alone.
Our team offers compassionate and trauma-informed representation to sexual assault survivors. When you are ready to speak out against your perpetrator, we are here to lend you support and guidance every step of the way.
Contact Colorado Sex Abuse Law at (303) 835-9227 to receive a free and confidential consultation with a compassionate legal advocate.