New data show that reports of sexual harassment in the United States have risen sharply since the #MeToo movement began.
The rise prompts analysts to examine its cause.
Study finds more than double the 2018 rate
Researchers at Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute examined responses from a nationally representative sample of about 5,300 adults ages 18 and older. The surveys, conducted in 2018 and again in 2024, asked participants whether they had encountered unwanted conduct—from catcalling to stalking—during the prior year.
In 2018, just over 10 % of respondents said they had faced such behavior. By 2024, that share climbed to more than 24 %, a rise that persisted after adjusting for age, race, education and other demographic variables. The odds of reporting harassment were nearly three times higher in the later wave.
Related: Family Plans Boost Health of Overweight Children
Women continued to bear the brunt of the problem, reporting higher rates than men, though both sexes saw increases. The most pronounced jump occurred among residents of the southern United States.
Lifetime exposure remains high
Companion findings from the institute’s broader #MeToo report reveal that more than four out of five women and roughly half of men have experienced either harassment or sexual assault at some point in their lives. Public venues such as streets, parks, stores, gyms and transit hubs were frequently cited as settings where incidents took place, often involving strangers.
Early exposure is common: over half of women indicated their first encounter with harassment or assault happened before age 18.
These patterns suggest that harassment is not merely an isolated annoyance but a public‑health issue with long‑lasting consequences.
Related: Handwriting analyzed for dementia signs
While the study cannot definitively separate a true rise in misconduct from a shift in reporting behavior, the data show that awareness alone has not curbed the prevalence of unwanted conduct.
Future efforts must keep prevention on the public‑health agenda. Researchers call for continued education, stronger preventive strategies, meaningful accountability and robust support services for victims.
Even if part of the increase stems from heightened recognition, the sheer volume of people reporting harassment each year points to a persistent environment where many feel unsafe. Addressing that reality will likely require more than campaigns that raise consciousness; it will need concrete changes in how institutions respond to and deter such behavior.
