Even as overall violent crime rates drop in the United States, millions of people continue to experience life-altering trauma each year. According to new research from High Rise Financial, there were more than 6.3 million violent victimizations reported in 2023. While that figure represents a 3% decline from the previous year, it still amounts to nearly 23 violent incidents per 1,000 people, a reminder that many communities are still grappling with very real safety concerns.
And that’s just the reported cases.
Many people never file a police report. Whether it’s fear, shame, or distrust in the system, countless survivors choose silence. That silence, however, doesn’t erase the harm. It’s a reminder that statistics only scratch the surface of how deeply violence affects people and communities.
This recent study aims to increase awareness of how widespread violent victimization still is, who is most at risk, and what needs to change so more people can feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and daily lives.
What Is Violent Victimization?
Violent victimization is an umbrella term that covers a range of crimes where individuals are physically or sexually harmed. Some of the most commonly reported offenses include:
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Simple assault
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Aggravated assault
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Sexual assault
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Robbery
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Homicide
In this study, we focused primarily on assault, breaking it into three major categories:
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Simple Assault is the most frequently reported form. It includes any situation where someone knowingly or recklessly causes harm to another person, with or without a weapon. Even threats of violence can fall into this category.
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Aggravated Assault involves more serious injuries, often with a weapon or intent to cause significant harm. These cases often lead to felony charges and commonly occur either at the victim’s home or on public roads.
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Sexual Assault includes any non-consensual sexual contact or advances. This can range from groping and harassment to attempted rape. It also includes coercion and any unwanted touching with sexual intent.
The Numbers Behind the Crime
The scope of violence is staggering:
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Simple assaults were the most common, accounting for roughly 3.9 million cases, or 13.8 incidents per 1,000 people.
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Aggravated assaults made up 1.27 million cases, or 4.5 per 1,000 people.
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Sexual assaults totaled 481,000 cases, translating to 1.7 per 1,000 people.
These figures reflect the sheer scale of the problem, and they don’t include the countless incidents that go unreported each year.
States With the Highest Assault Rates
Some states saw significantly higher numbers of violent crimes than others. According to 2023 reports:
Top 5 states for reported assaults:
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California: 198,036 cases
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Texas: 123,856 cases
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New York: 76,298 cases
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Florida: 65,621 cases
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Michigan: 45,888 cases
States with the lowest reported assault cases:
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Rhode Island: 1,839
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New Hampshire: 1,503
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Maine: 1,430
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Vermont: 1,362
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Wyoming: 1,116
Keep in mind, these numbers don’t necessarily reflect where assaults are happening most. A lot depends on how often people report them, and how those reports are recorded.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Some groups are more vulnerable to violence than others. According to the data:
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3.5 million women and 2.8 million men ages 12 and older reported experiencing violent victimization in 2023.
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Young adults between 18 and 24 were the most frequently targeted group, with a rate of 43.9 victimizations per 1,000 people.
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People aged 25–34 followed closely behind, with 33.2 per 1,000.
The Williams Institute also reports that transgender individuals are four times more likely than cisgender individuals to experience violent victimization, highlighting a deeply concerning and persistent safety gap.
The Relationship Factor
One of the more unsettling findings was how often victims knew their attackers.
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In 336,000 cases, the victim and the offender were in a romantic relationship.
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460,000 involved strangers.
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In over 600,000 incidents, the relationship between the victim and offender was unclear or not reported.
This points to the complexity of violent crime. It often comes from someone the victim knows or even trusts.
Why Raising Awareness Matters
High Rise Financial hopes that by sharing this data, more people will feel empowered to speak up, seek help, and protect themselves and their communities. Reporting violence, talking about it openly, and pushing for real solutions are all steps toward healing and prevention.
If you or someone you know is a victim of assault, know that you are not alone, and it is not your fault. You deserve support, safety, and justice.
