Sexual Assault is Systemically Underreported

Sadly, sexual violence remains a serious problem. The Florida Department of Health explains that sexual violence includes many forms, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault, among others. It affects people of all sexes, ages, and communities. That broad definition matters because official police reports capture only a portion of the harm. The official reports almost certainly understate the scope of the problem. It is widely believed to be systematically underreported. Here, our Miami sexual assault lawyer provides a more comprehensive overview of the data.

National Survey Data Shows the Scope Is Enormous

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2023/2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that 45.1% of women in the United States reported experiencing some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetimes. The same CDC data found that 21.0% of women reported completed or attempted rape, 20.3% reported sexual coercion, and 39.0% reported unwanted sexual contact. For men, the CDC reported that 16.9% experienced some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetimes. These numbers are based on survey data, not police reports, which is important because surveys can capture experiences that were never reported to the criminal justice system.

Florida Data Also Shows Serious Prevalence

Florida-specific CDC data also shows substantial prevalence. In the 2023/2024 NISVS data brief, the CDC estimated that 42.2% of women in Florida experienced some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetimes. That represents an estimated 3,689,000 victims in Florida alone. The confidence interval was broad, but the bottom-line conclusion is clear: sexual violence is not rare in Florida. It is a widespread public health and safety problem. Official reports should therefore be read cautiously. They are important, but they are not a full measure of victimization.

Underreporting is a Consistent Finding in Sexual Violence Data

The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey is designed to collect information about crimes that are reported and not reported to police. In its 2024 criminal victimization report, BJS found that the percentage of rape or sexual assault victimizations reported to police decreased from 46% in 2023 to 24% in 2024. RAINN, relying on federal justice data, also reports that only about 1 in 3 victims report sexual assault to law enforcement, or approximately 310 out of every 1,000 survivors. Estimates vary by year and methodology, but the pattern is consistent: sexual assault is systematically underreported. Survivors may fear disbelief, retaliation, stigma, trauma, privacy loss, or being forced into a process they are not ready to enter. 

We Fight for Justice for the Victims of Sexual Assault in South Florida

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami civil sexual assault attorney is a compassionate advocate for justice. If you have any questions about the claims process, we can help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Our firm represents victims throughout South Florida, including in Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and beyond.

Source:

floridahealth.gov/individual-family-health/injury-prevention-wellness/sexual-violence-prevention/