The combined statistic covers four experiences
Pew asked whether users had received unwanted sexual messages or images, faced continued contact after saying they were not interested, been called an offensive name, or been threatened with physical harm.
Thirty-eight percent reported unwanted sexual content, 30% continued contact, 24% offensive names, and 6% physical threats. A person could report more than one, so the values should not be added.
Women under 50 reported substantially more exposure
Among women under 50 who had used online dating, 66% reported at least one measured behavior. Fifty-six percent had received unwanted sexual content, 43% continued contact, 37% an offensive name, and 11% a physical threat.
The survey captures whether an event ever occurred, not frequency, severity, platform, or when it happened.
The result is not a profile-level risk rate
Forty-eight percent of users reporting an experience does not mean 48% of matches or profiles were responsible. One bad actor can contact many people, and one user can have multiple incidents.
For safety decisions, pair population statistics with platform reporting tools, public-location first meetings, and independent identity checks where appropriate.