NEW : Highlighting the issue may help people form healthy relationships , an expert says . The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey interviewed more than 16,500 adults . It found that one in five women reported being sexually assaulted or raped by a partner during their lifetime. Linda Degutis , director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC , said the organization was very concerned by how large the numbers were , and by how great an impact such abuse has on people 's lives . More than a fourth of male rape victims say they were first raped as a child .
NEW : Highlighting the issue may help people form healthy relationships , an expert says . The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey interviewed more than 16,500 adults . It found that one in five women reported being sexually assaulted or raped by a partner during their lifetime. More than a fourth of male rape victims say they were first raped as a child .