Estimates vary, but researchers say date and acquaintance rape may account for 70 percent of all sexual assaults.
The problem is most visible on college campuses, where as many as one in five women may experience some type of physical or psychological sexual coercion.
But date rape isn’t limited to campuses, even though it’s most commonly reported by young women between the ages of 15 and 24. Still, guessing its actual incidence is difficult since so many date rapes go unreported.
Some experts estimate that only about 10 percent of all rapes are reported to police. Fewer still make it to court.
Alarming numbers of teens experience and accept abusive behavior in dating relationships. Many teens also feel physically and sexually threatened.
- 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
- 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
- 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would end if they did not give in.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure.
Adapted with permissin from Love Is Respect
