Statistics on Sexual Violence

51% of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of violence since the age of 16.
(Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Sexual Assault Fact Sheet. Ottawa: C.A.C.S.W., 1985).

Approximately 60% of sexual assaults occur in private homes. The majority of them (38%) in the victim's home. Another common location is in the attacker's car.
(Sexual Assault: The Reality. Ontario WomenÕs Directorate Fact Sheet, 1992).

A Canadian study of sex offenders reveals that overwhelmingly they represent the average male. The vast majority of men who assault are white (71.9%) and Canadian born (63%).
(Sexual Assault: The Reality, Ontario WomenÕs Directorate Fact Sheet, 1992).

89% of sexual assault victims/survivors have no visible physical injuries. (Statistics Canada, Violence Against Women Survey, 1993).

Only 1 in 10 sexual assaults is reported to the police. Of those that are acquaintance rapes, only 1 in 100 is reported to the police.
(Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Sexual Assault Fact Sheet. CACSW., 1985; and S. Litch Mercer, "Not A Pretty Picture: An Exploratory Study of Violence Against Women in High School Dating Relationships", Toronto: Education Wife Assault, 1987).

Ottawa-Carleton has the highest rate of reported sexual offenses in the province, at 280 per 100,00 people.
(Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Juristat Service Bulletin, 1992).

83% of Canadian women fear walking to their cars in a public garage after dark alone. 75% fear waiting for/using public transportation. 60% fear walking alone in their own area. 39% fear being at home alone. (Statistics Canada, Violence Against women Survey, 1993).

80% of First Nations women have been assaulted of abused.
(Metro Action Committee on Public Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC), Sexual Assault Fact Sheet. Toronto: METRAC, 1992).

People with disabilities are 150% more likely to be sexually abused or assaulted, than people without disabilities.
(Dick Sobsey, "Sexual Offenses and Disabled Victims: Research and Practical Implications", A National Newsletter on Family Violence, Vol. 6, No. 4, Winter 1988).

Rates of sexual assault experienced by young Canadian women, age 18 to 24, are over three times the national average.
(Statistics Canada, Violence Against Women Survey, 1993).