Is Reporting of Rape on the Rise? A Comparison of Women With Reported Versus Unreported Rape Experiences in the National Women’s Study-Replication

TLDR

Rape affects one in seven women nationwide, yet historically most victims do not report to law enforcement. The study aims to identify barriers and correlates of reporting rape, including predictors, concerns, and experiences, to inform policy. Using a 2006 national sample of 3,001 women, the study assessed reporting prevalence and examined predictors, concerns, and experiences. The study found that only 15.8% of rapes were reported—a rate unchanged since the 1990s—, with drug/alcohol‑facilitated rapes less likely to be reported than forcible ones, and identified several predictors of reporting that have implications for public health and policy.

Abstract

Rape affects one in seven women nationwide. Historically, most rape victims do not report rape to law enforcement. Research is needed to identify barriers to reporting and correlates of reporting to guide policy recommendations that address such barriers. We investigated the prevalence of reporting rape among a national sample of women ( N = 3,001) interviewed in 2006. The study also examined predictors of reporting as well as barriers to reporting, concerns about reporting, and women’s experiences with the reporting process. Results demonstrated that the overall prevalence of reporting (15.8%) has not significantly increased since the 1990s. Differences were found between rape types, with rapes involving drug or alcohol incapacitation or facilitation being less likely to be reported than forcible rapes. Several predictors of reporting emerged in multivariable analyses. Implications for public health and public policy are discussed.