New report reveals prevalence of physical and sexual violence in US
Study finds more than half of US adults have experienced physical violence and nearly half sexual violence In their lifetime, more than half of US adults have experienced physical violence – and nearly half have experienced sexual violence, according to a startling new national study . The study, led by researchers from Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute and the University of California, San…
A recent study reveals that over half of US adults have experienced physical violence, and nearly half have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Led by Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute and the University of California, San Diego, the 2025 United States Violence Experiences Survey (USVEX) examined the prevalence of physical, sexual, and intimate partner violence, as well as their intersections with behavioral health, economic hardship, neighborhood safety, and substance use.
The survey, which surveyed 2,720 adults across all 50 states between October and December 2025, found that 52% of US adults experienced physical violence, with the rate being the same among women and men. Additionally, 49% of US adults experienced sexual violence during their lifetime, with a significantly higher prevalence among women (68%) compared to men (29%).
The study also found that women were most often physically abused by a spouse or romantic partner (61%), while men were most commonly abused by a stranger (38%). Physical violence was associated with significant mental health consequences, with 48% of women and 26% of men reporting anxiety or depression following the experience.
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