One In Five Women Will Be Raped In Her Lifetime
One Out Of Every Five Women Will Be Raped In Her Lifetime
Anna, a victim of sexual assault, during a news conference presenting legislation about curbing rape on campus.
In the midst of the government cracking down on sexual assault and rape, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), released a startling statistic that once again reminds us how much of a problem rape and sexual assault is throughout the United States. Nearly one in five women will be raped at some point in her life, the CDC reported. The data was discovered from the findings of the organization's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. The report stated that "A substantial proportion of U.S. female and male adults have experienced some form of sexual violence, stalking, or intimate partner violence at least once during their lifetimes," but noted that the rape epidemic has a greater impact on women. And the numbers back that statement up: If one in five American women have been raped, that means that over 23 million women throughout the country have been victims of this devestating form of assault.
The survey also showed that while both men and women are victims of sexual violence (23.4 percent and 43.9 percent, respectively), in nearly all cases, those who were committing the crimes themselves were male. Even more evidence that the conversation surrounding sexual violence needs to include men—and needs to start early on—if we ever want this number to drop.
Related
Sexual Assault Survivors Speak Out Against Campus Rape
President Obama Is Getting Serious About Campus Rape
White House to Colleges: Here's How to Curb Campus Rape
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
Photo via Getty Images
I'm an Associate Editor at the Business of Fashion, where I edit and write stories about the fashion and beauty industries. Previously, I was the brand editor at Adweek, where I was the lead editor for Adweek's brand and retail coverage. Before my switch to business journalism, I was a writer/reporter at PEOPLE.com, where I wrote news posts, galleries and articles for PEOPLE magazine's website. My work has been published on TheAtlantic.com, ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, PEOPLE.com, GoodHousekeeping.com and in Every Day with Rachael Ray. It has been syndicated by Cosmopolitan.com, TIME.com, TravelandLeisure.com and GoodHousekeeping.com, among other publications. Previously, I've worked at VOGUE.com, ELLE.com, and MarieClaire.com.
-
Prince William Says He Wants to "Challenge Homelessness" While Promoting New Documentary
"We see it every day in our lives."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Meghan Markle Connects to Little Boy She Says is "So Close" to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's Age
The Duchess of Sussex greeted young fans during a solo appearance at the Children's Hospital L.A. 2024 Gala.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Suki Waterhouse Wears Floral Maxi Dress Alongside Robert Pattinson in First Joint Appearance Since Becoming Parents
The pair welcomed their first child, a baby girl, back in March.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the Organization
Under Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State Legislators
Emily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
By Emily Cain Published
-
Your Abortion Questions, Answered
Here, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The Future of Afghan Women and Girls Depends on What We Do Next
Between the U.S. occupation and the Taliban, supporting resettlement for Afghan women and vulnerable individuals is long overdue.
By Rona Akbari Published
-
How to Help Afghanistan Refugees and Those Who Need Aid
With the situation rapidly evolving, organizations are desperate for help.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
It’s Time to Give Domestic Workers the Protections They Deserve
The National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, reintroduced today, would establish a new set of standards for the people who work in our homes and take a vital step towards racial and gender equity.
By Ai-jen Poo Published
-
The Biden Administration Announced It Will Remove the Hyde Amendment
The pledge was just one of many gender equity commitments made by the administration, including the creation of the first U.S. National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.
By Megan DiTrolio Published