How Common Is Sexual Harassment? Breaking Down the Stats + Speaking From Experience
By Trinity Barnette
Sexual harassment isn’t rare. It’s everywhere—on campus, at work, in DMs. In this post, I break down the actual statistics on how common it is, how it impacts different groups, and what it means when so many of us have stories we never asked to carry. I’ll also be sharing a personal reflection at the end, because these numbers aren’t just data—they’re my reality too.
26% of U.S. adults—or 68 million people—have experienced sexual harassment or assault in the past year alone.
81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime.
1 in 5 women and 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape.
38% of women and 14% of men have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
Who’s Most Affected?
Women are significantly more likely to experience harassment (32% vs. 15% for men).
LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk.
1 in 4 undergraduate women at major U.S. universities have experienced sexual assault or misconduct.
The Silence Behind the Numbers
Most incidents go unreported. Only about 25% of rape/assault cases were reported to police in 2018.
Between 2% and 10% of reports are false—far lower than what rape culture would have you believe.
Nearly half of female rape victims are assaulted by an intimate partner. For men, most assaults are by acquaintances.
A Personal Note from Me
As a blogger and content creator, I share my life online. But something I didn’t sign up for was the daily threat of unsolicited photos, sexual messages, and harassment from strangers. It’s dehumanizing to wake up to a notification that turns your stomach. It’s disturbing how normalized it’s become.
Being harassed is not just annoying—it’s traumatic. It erodes your peace of mind and makes something as simple as checking your phone feel unsafe. The sad part is, I’m not alone. I’m one of the 81%. But I’m also one of the loud ones. And I’m not letting this conversation stay silent.
The next time someone says, “It’s not that common,” send them the numbers. Or better yet, tell them your story—if it’s safe for you to do so. This blog is a reminder that we’re not crazy, we’re not overreacting, and we’re definitely not alone.
