82% of Women and 42% of Men Face Harassment – 2024 Stats

Sexual harassment and assault remain alarmingly prevalent in the United States, as revealed in the #MeToo 2024 report. The statistics are sobering: 82% of women and 42% of men have experienced some form of harassment or assault in their lifetime.

These figures highlight the pervasive nature of these violations and the urgent need for support and legal pathways for survivors.

The Numbers Behind the Issue

The #MeToo 2024 report sheds light on the prevalence and contexts of harassment and assault. Below are key statistics illustrating the scope of the issue:

Statistic	Women	Men
Experienced harassment or assault ever	82%	42%
Verbal harassment	78%	29%
Dating coercion/sexual threats	50%	24%
Physically aggressive harassment	59%	21%
Cyber sexual harassment	31%	15%
Sexual assault	27%	8%

Harassment Begins Early

For many survivors, the first experience of harassment or assault occurs at a young age:

Age at First Experience	Women	Men
Before age 13	20%	8%
Between ages 13 and 17	36%	10%
After age 18	26%	25%

These early experiences often leave lasting emotional and psychological scars, underscoring the importance of timely support and intervention.

Where Harassment Happens

The report highlights the most common locations where harassment or assault occurs:

Location	Percentage of Women	Percentage of Men
Public spaces (e.g., streets, parks)	73%	24%
Workplaces	37%	14%
Schools	33%	12%
Nightlife venues	37%	10%
Residences (own or others’)	33%	13%

The Emotional Toll

Survivors of sexual harassment and assault face significant mental health challenges, as shown in the chart below:

Mental Health Impact	Women Who Experienced Harassment	Men Who Experienced Harassment
Anxiety	48%	32%
Depression	46%	28%
Suicidality (past year)	22%	12%

Seeking Justice: Legal Pathways for Compensation

While the numbers are harrowing, legal reforms and supportive services provide survivors a way to reclaim their voices. Laws such as New York’s Adult Survivor’s Act and the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Harassment Act aim to empower survivors by extending filing deadlines and reducing legal barriers.

At our firm, we specialize in guiding sexual assault survivors through the complex legal process, ensuring their cases are handled with the utmost care and confidentiality. Whether the incident occurred last week or decades ago, it’s never too late to seek justice.

Source: Raj A, Rao N, Patel P, Kearl H, Skolnick C. #MeToo 2024: A National Study of Sexual Harassment and Assault in the United States. Newcomb Institute. Tulane University. September 2024