DATA SNAPSHOT - NOVEMBER 2023 - Sexual Violence and Sex-based Harassment or Bullying in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year

Q: What does the CRDC collect regarding sexual violence in 2020-21?

For the CRDC, sexual violence includes rape or attempted rape and sexual assault (other than rape). School districts could opt to report certain student and staff incident counts for 2020-21, with additional requirements planned for 2021-22.

Q: How does the document define harassment or bullying on the basis of sex and sexual orientation?

It defines harassment or bullying on the basis of sex to include sexual harassment and harassment or bullying based on sex stereotyping. Harassment or bullying on the basis of sexual orientation refers to intimidation or abusive behavior based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

Q: What do the figures show about differences by sex and race/ethnicity?

Girls were reported as harassed or bullied on the basis of sex at a higher rate than boys, while boys were more often disciplined. The document also shows overrepresentation patterns for certain race/ethnicity groups among students reported or disciplined, with rounded percentage notes and an emphasis on unrounded calculations.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery

Data snapshot summarizing 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) findings on sexual violence and sex-based harassment or bullying in U.S. public schools. Defines CRDC scope for sexual violence, and harassment or bullying on the basis of sex and sexual orientation, including reporting practices and key exclusions. Reports incident counts for sexual assault and rape or attempted rape, along with allegations and disciplinary actions related to sex. Breaks down gender and race/ethnicity patterns for reported harassment/bullying and discipline, and highlights U.S. Department of Education initiatives responding to these harms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

About the Civil Rights Data Collection

Sexual Violence

Definitions and reporting approach

Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sex or Sexual Orientation

Definitions and scope

Figure 1: Harassment/Bullying and discipline by sex

Figure 2: Harassment/Bullying and discipline by sex and race/ethnicity

U.S. Department of Education initiatives

DATA SNAPSHOT NOVEMBER 2023 Sexual Violence and Sex-based Harassment or Bullying in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year 2020-21 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) U.S. Department of Education O ce for Civil Rights About the Civil Rights Data Collection The Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is a mandatory survey of all public schools and school districts in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It gathers information about student access to educational programs, activities, sta , and school climate factors from public schools serving students in preschool through 12th grade. For more information about the CRDC or to download the full 2020-21 CRDC public-use data ﬁle, please visit [https://civilrightsdata.ed.gov](https://civilrightsdata.ed.gov). SEXUAL VIOLENCE1 For the purposes of the CRDC, sexual violence includes rape or attempted rape and sexual assault (other than rape) . During the 2020-21 school year, school districts reported ... 2,700 350 Incidents of Sexual Assault Incidents of Rape or Attempted Rape 1.For the 2020-21 CRDC, school districts had the option of reporting the number of sexual violence incidents committed by students and the number of such incidents committed by sta . Also, reporting the number of allegations of sexual violence made against school sta was optional. School districts will be required to report these data for the 2021-22 CRDC. Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sex or Sexual Orientation During the 2020-21 school year, school districts nationwide reported ... 17,000 8,200 14,900 20,800 Allegations of Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sex2 Allegations of Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sexual Orientation3 Students Reported as Being Harassed or Bullied on the Basis of Sex Students Disciplined for Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sex 2.For the purposes of the CRDC, harassment or bullying on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment and harassment or bullying based on sex stereotyping. Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 3.For the purposes of the CRDC, harassment or bullying on the basis of sexual orientation refers to intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as non-verbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Note: The 2020-21 CRDC did not collect data on students reported as being harassed or bullied and students disciplined for harassment or bullying on the basis of sexual orientation. FIGURE 1 Students Reported as Being Harassed or Bullied and Students Disciplined for Harassment or Bullying by Sex Girls were reported as being harassed or bullied on the basis of sex at a higher rate than boys. Of the students reported as being harassed or bullied on the basis of sex, 63% were girls, and 37% were boys. Boys were more often disciplined for harassment or bullying on the basis of sex. Of the students disciplined, 78% were boys, and 22% were girls. Students Reported as Being Harassed or Bullied on the Basis of Sex Students Disciplined for Harassment or Bullying on the Basis of Sex FIGURE 2 Students Reported as Being Harassed or Bullied and Students Disciplined for Harassment or Bullying by Sex and Race/Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino of any race American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian or Other Paciﬁc Islander Black or African American White Two or more races Enrollment 15% <1% 3% <1% 8% 24% 2% | Disciplined | 14% | 1% | 1% | <1% | 10% | 48% | 4% | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Reported | 4% | 1% | 1% | <1% | 6% | 24% | 2% | | Enrollment

FAQs

What does the CRDC collect regarding sexual violence in 2020-21?

For the CRDC, sexual violence includes rape or attempted rape and sexual assault (other than rape). School districts could opt to report certain student and staff incident counts for 2020-21, with additional requirements planned for 2021-22.

How does the document define harassment or bullying on the basis of sex and sexual orientation?

It defines harassment or bullying on the basis of sex to include sexual harassment and harassment or bullying based on sex stereotyping. Harassment or bullying on the basis of sexual orientation refers to intimidation or abusive behavior based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.

What do the figures show about differences by sex and race/ethnicity?

Girls were reported as harassed or bullied on the basis of sex at a higher rate than boys, while boys were more often disciplined. The document also shows overrepresentation patterns for certain race/ethnicity groups among students reported or disciplined, with rounded percentage notes and an emphasis on unrounded calculations.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery