U.S.: reported forcible rape cases 2021

In 2021, there were 144,300 reported rape cases in the United States. This figure also includes attempts and assaults to commit rape, but unforced statutory rape and other sex offenses are excluded.

Sexual assault in the U.S.

What is particularly common when it comes to sexual assault, is that the vast majority of victims know their assailant. A rapist being a stranger lurking in the shadows is much less likely than people may like to think. Additionally, in around 401,157 cases of rape or sexual assault in the United States, it was reported that the assailant did not have a weapon on them. These are frightening thoughts for anyone, which has led the U.S. to take a deeper look at what exactly is happening.

#metoo

Sexual assault, in any form, has been a long simmering problem in the U.S.; one which has only recently begun to be addressed in the public spotlight. The #metoo movement began to go viral in October 2017 in response to sexual assault allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The movement aims to show just how widespread sexual assault is, and over half of Americans support the movement.

Number of reported forcible rape cases in the United States from 1990 to 2021

Characteristic	Number of reported cases
2021	144,300
2020	139,500
2019	143,224
2018	143,765
2017	135,666
2016	132,414
2015	126,134
2014	118,027
2013*	113,695
2012	85,141
2011	84,175
2010	85,593
2009	89,241
2008	90,750
2007	92,160
2006	94,472
2005	94,347
2004	95,089
2003	93,883
2002	95,235
2001	90,863
2000	90,178
1999	89,411
1998	93,144
1997	96,153
1996	96,250
1995	97,470
1994	102,220
1993	106,010
1992	109,060
1991	106,590
1990	102,560

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Release date

October 2022

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Region

United States

Survey time period

1990 to 2021

Supplementary notes

Forcible rape, as defined in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program prior to 2013, was the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Attempts or assaults to commit rape by force or threat of force are also included; however, statutory rape (without force) and other sex offenses are excluded.

*The FBI revised the definition of rape in 2013. The new definition is as follows: “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

The data from previous years can be accessed at the Uniform Crime Reports section on the Website of the FBI.

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