For adult women, research consistently shows that most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, not a stranger.
Some credible statistics include:
- 60% of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim, while 31% are committed by strangers, according to analyses of U.S. Department of Justice data.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that among female rape victims, about 45–47% identified an intimate partner as a perpetrator and about 47% identified an acquaintance, meaning many women have more than one perpetrator over their lifetime.
- More than 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
For teens, the risk is also significant:
- Girls ages 16–19 are about four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape or attempted rape.
- Many victims are first assaulted while they are young: about 40% of female rape victims were first victimized before age 18, and nearly 8 in 10 before age 25.
Every woman and teen deserves the confidence to protect themselves. While many people imagine attacks by strangers, most assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Self-defense training teaches awareness, boundary setting, verbal de-escalation, and practical techniques that can help you avoid danger and escape if the unthinkable happens. Confidence is powerful. Preparation is priceless.
