I am a sexual abuse victim as a toddler. I am 60 and I still have cPTSD and need counseling. I cut off all local news to help with depression and anxiety and only read what I choose, yet in the past week there are literally over a dozen new cases with attempted kidnappings, peepers in bathrooms and showers, multiple rapes, CSAM from various religious organizations, and lawsuits going back decades. It seems like a pandemic of predators is happening.
It’s more reported. The numbers are surely smaller than before due to deterrent effects from more people being caught.
It’s the same as the violent crime statistics from the FBI. The crime rate pre-1960’s was vastly under-reported. During the 70’s and 80’s cultural acceptance of violent crime declined so more crimes were reported.
An excellent example is pre-1950’s spousal and child abusers were rarely if ever reported. Most people considered it a husbands right to beat the shit out of their wife and kids. As acceptance of the behavior decreased, reporting increased.
The most recent one that has seen a huge change is rape. The highest rate of rape are in communities with the lowest reporting. For example, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Scientologist, baptist and anabaptist groups have horrendous rape victim shaming cultures.
There is still large sections of the U.S. population that are okay with rape. Say anyone wearing a MAGA hat. However this is changing with the younger generations. Acceptance is declining and serial rapist are beginning to be held accountable.