From Policy Reform to Public Reckoning: Exploring Shifts in the Reporting of Sexual-Violence-Against-Women Victimizations in the United States Between 1992 and 2021

The current literature indicates that sexual violence against women (VAW) is chronically under-reported to law enforcement due to factors such as fear of retaliation, societal stigma, and practical obstacles. Using National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) incident-level data, this study examines changes in the reporting patterns of sexual VAW from 1992 to 2021. This period of focus is notable for significant and, at times, unprecedented societal shifts and legislative reforms. Our results suggest that there are three distinct time periods for sexual VAW reporting in the United States, each marked by various social and political movements. These results provide researchers and law enforcement practitioners alike with insights into the instability of shifts in the reporting of sexual VAW to the police, supporting changes in how reporting behaviors should be viewed over varying time periods.