The vast majority of sexual misconduct claims are made against perpetrators known to the victim rather than strangers. Research and statistics from multiple sources including RAINN, the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, and university surveys indicate that 60% to over 80% of sexual misconduct or assault cases involve someone the victim knows, such as friends, acquaintances, intimate partners, family members, or colleagues. For example, 60% of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim, and 93% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser. Additionally, in the context of student sexual misconduct claims, many claims involve complex situations and often require thorough investigation, with the majority not being ultimately determined as false or solely retaliatory in nature but sometimes lacking key details needing further inquiry.

Thus, the vast majority of sexual misconduct claims emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between victim and perpetrator to improve prevention, support, and response efforts.