Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Rape Victimization: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey

• NCJ Number: 210346
• Author(s): Patricia Tjaden; Nancy Thoennes
• Date Published: January 2006
• Length: 46 pages
• Publication Series: NIJ Research Report
• Grant Number(s): 93-IJ-CX-0012
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

This report presents findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) conducted to measure the extent, nature, and consequences of violence against women.

Abstract

The findings in the report underscore the need for law enforcement agencies and victim service providers to expand their services to rape victims. In the United States, close to 18 million women and almost 3 million men have been raped. One of every six women has been raped at some time. In a single year, more than 300,000 women and approximately 93,000 men are estimated to have been raped. Although the word "rape" is gender neutral, most rape victims are female and most rapists are male. Women who reported being raped as minors were twice as likely to be raped as adults. Even though the prevalence rates were the same for minority and non-minority women, differences were found by specific racial and ethnic group. Female victims are more likely to be raped by a current or former intimate partner. Many rape victims suffer serious mental health consequences. Lastly, only one in five adult women reports their rape to the police. This report, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice and directed towards criminal justice and public health researchers and practitioners, as well as legislators, policymakers, and intervention planners at all levels of government, presents results from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS). Exhibits