#MeToo2024: Rising California Sexual Assault Rates Point to Prevention Opportunities

March 27, 2025 |
VALOR

A new report from the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University, Sexual Harassment and Assault in California: Findings from the #MeToo 2024 Survey, points to rising rates of sexual assault and harassment against women in California. 

Photo of several people speaking. At the top left corner, there is black text that reads, "#MeToo." Underneath the photo is a blue bar with white text that reads, "Sexual Harassment and Assault in California: Findings from the #MeToo 2024 Survey." At the bottom of the graphic are logos for VALOR, Stop Street Harassment, Newcomb Institute at Tulane University, and RALIANCE.

The survey expands on the 2018 study “The Facts Behind the #MeToo Movement: A National Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault,” which examined national sexual harassment and assault trends since the #MeToo Movement went viral in 2011. In the newest iteration, “MeToo 2024: A National Study on Sexual Harassment and Assault in the United States,” supported by Stop Street Harassment, ValorUS®, RALIANCE, and the Center on Gender Equity and Health, researchers looked specifically at four states, including California, to compare to national averages. 

The updated survey found that not much has changed between the rates of sexual harassment and assault nationally between the studies. Not only that, but the authors recognized that the data is inadequate to understand the size of the problem that women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and transgender people are disproportionately facing in the United States.

In California, the survey found that rates of sexual harassment and sexual assault have decreased for men, but not for women since the last California Specific study was released in 2019. 

According to the new data, the number of Californian women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault increased to nearly 9 in 10, or 88%, compared to the national average of 82%. 

On the other hand, rates of sexual harassment and assault against men dropped from 56% to 44% since 2019, slightly higher than the national 42% average. 

The survey also states that long-standing sexual harassment and assault trends continue: people who experience sexual harassment predominantly do not know the harm-doer while family members and acquaintances are more likely to commit sexual assault.

While growing rates of sexual harassment and assault can appear discouraging, the research also strongly concludes that prevention is possible. Researchers explain that prevention would be most impactful by educating younger children about how to identify sexual violence and distinguish behaviors and beliefs that feed into it. They also argue that there is room for policy opportunities to ensure safe spaces are available for women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and all Californians. 

Researchers agree that prevention can result in the largest and most widespread impact on decreasing rates of sexual violence. 

The potential of prevention and education provides a clear opportunity for collective and collaborative work across the anti-sexual violence field. When preventionists, researchers, community organizers, advocates, educators, and families come together and focus on holistic approaches to prevention, focusing on people most impacted by violence, a safer and thriving California is possible. 

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