A new nationwide analysis reveals a striking shift in reported rape cases across the United States — with some states seeing double-digit declines in just one year. At the top of the list is Louisiana, which recorded the steepest drop, with reported cases falling by more than 40% from 2023 to 2024. New York and Delaware followed closely behind, both showing significant year-over-year decreases.
Conducted by the Simmrin Law Group, the study draws on data from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Crime Data Explorer (CDE) to identify which states experienced the most dramatic changes — and raises pressing questions about whether the numbers reflect meaningful progress or a deeper issue of underreporting.
- Louisiana tops the list with the steepest decline in reported rapes, showing a 41.3% drop from 2023 to 2024.
- New York (-32.9%) and Delaware (-27.3%) rank second and third in a year-over-year reported rape cases decline.
- On the other hand, Illinois reported the sharpest increase, with cases rising 12% between 2023 and 2024.
A new study reveals that Louisiana has the largest decline in reported rape cases in the U.S. from 2023 to 2024.
The research by personal injury law firm Simmrin Law Group analyzed reported rape case data from the U.S. Department of Justice Crime Data Explorer (CDE) across all 50 U.S. states between 2023 and 2024. The percentage rise or fall was calculated to determine which states saw the steepest declines or increases.
Louisiana ranks first in the nation, reporting a 41.3% fall in rape cases from 2023 to 2024. Cases dropped from 2,034 in 2023 to 1,193 in 2024, a decline of 841 reports.
New York holds the second position, with a reported 32.9% decrease. Cases fell from 5,184 in 2023 to 3,476 in 2024, representing 1,708 fewer reports in just one year for the Empire State.
Delaware takes the third spot nationwide, showing a 27.3% decline. The First State saw reported rape cases fall from 227 in 2023 to 165 in 2024, marking a difference of 62 fewer incidents.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Simmrin Law Group commented:
“The data reveals striking declines in reported rape cases across many states, with Louisiana, New York, and Delaware showing the steepest drops. While these reductions may suggest improvements in prevention, law enforcement, or survivor services, they could also reflect underreporting driven by stigma, fear, or systemic barriers.
“Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported crimes in America, meaning statistics often fail to capture the full scale of the problem. Real progress requires fewer reports and ensuring survivors feel safe and supported in coming forward.
“State-level disparities highlight the complex interplay between public policy, social awareness, law enforcement practices, and community trust. Policymakers must take care not to confuse reduced reports with reduced violence.”
Hawaii ranks fourth nationwide, reporting a 21.5% decrease with cases dropping from 474 in 2023 to 372 in 2024, a difference of 102 fewer reports in the Aloha State.
Kansas holds the fifth position, showing a 19.1% decline. The Sunflower State recorded 1,319 cases in 2023 compared to 1,067 in 2024, a drop of 252 reports.
Rhode Island (6th) reported a 19% fall with cases dropping from 405 in 2023 to 328 in 2024, followed by Alabama (7th) at -18.6% with 1,595 to 1,299 cases, Iowa (8th) at -16.7% with 1,325 to 1,104 cases, Florida (9th) at -15.1% with 5,037 to 4,277 cases, and Connecticut (10th) at -14.4% with 770 to 659 cases.
Table for Extended Results:
| Top 10 U.S. States With the Steepest Decline in Reported Rape Cases (2023–2024) | ||||
| State | Rape Cases 2023 | Rape Cases 2024 | % Rise / Fall | Rank |
| Louisiana | 2034 | 1193 | -41.3% | 1 |
| New York | 5184 | 3476 | -32.9% | 2 |
| Delaware | 227 | 165 | -27.3% | 3 |
| Hawaii | 474 | 372 | -21.5% | 4 |
| Kansas | 1319 | 1067 | -19.1% | 5 |
| Rhode Island | 405 | 328 | -19.0% | 6 |
| Alabama | 1595 | 1299 | -18.6% | 7 |
| Iowa | 1325 | 1104 | -16.7% | 8 |
| Florida | 5037 | 4277 | -15.1% | 9 |
| Connecticut | 770 | 659 | -14.4% | 10 |
The study was conducted by Simmrin Law Group, an experienced personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting clients’ rights and maximizing claim value.
While the data paints an encouraging picture for several states, experts caution that fewer reports don’t necessarily mean less violence. A drop in numbers could reflect improved prevention and response — or, conversely, persistent barriers that keep survivors from reporting assaults.
The findings highlight an urgent need for nuance in how we interpret crime data. True progress, advocates say, depends not only on reducing incidents but also on ensuring survivors feel supported, believed, and safe in seeking justice. Only then can the nation know whether the decline represents a step forward — or a silence that still speaks volumes.
