U.S. forcible rape/sexual assault victims 2023, by weapon presence

*Data should be interpreted with caution, based on 10 or fewer sample cases or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50%

Rape is defined here as: unlawful penetration of a person against the will of the victim, with use or threatened use of force, or attempting such an act. Includes psychological coercion and physical force. Forced sexual intercourse means vaginal, anal, or oral penetration by the offender. Also includes incidents where penetration is from a foreign object, such as a bottle. Includes male and female victims, and both heterosexual and homosexual rape. Attempted rape includes verbal threats of rape.

Sexual assault is defined here as: a wide range of victimizations, separate from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between victim and offender. Sexual assaults may or may not involve force and include grabbing or fondling. Sexual assault also includes verbal threats.

Rape and sexual assault are combined by the source into one victimization measure.

Only incidents of rape and sexual assault reported through the survey are counted here.