The latest facts and figures about sexual violence

Year end March 2022:

Rape

  • 150,000 rapes
  • 70,330 rapes recorded by police
  • 26% yr/yr increase in police reports
  • 2537 prosecutions (Note: There 5190 prosecutions in 2016/17)
  • 1733 convictions

Sexual Offences

  • 1,073,000 sexual offences
  • 124,353 sexual offences (excl rape) recorded by police
  • 35% yr/yr increase in police reports
  • 9175 prosecutions
  • 7676 convictions

Sexual Offences in Yorkshire and The Humber

18,907 sexual offences recorded by police in Yorkshire and Humber:

3.4 sexual offences per 1000 in Yorkshire/Humber, compared to 3.2 sexual offences per 1000 in England

Sources CSEW; ONS (2022); CPS (2022); CPS (2019)

The number of adults living with sexual trauma

An estimated 7.9 million people in England and Wales have been subjected to sexual violence since the age of 16. This equates to around 16.6% of people aged 16 yrs+. This includes an estimated 1.9 million victims of rape. That’s 7.7% women and 0.2% men that have been subjected to rape since the age of 16.

An estimated 1.1. million adults were subjected to sexual violence (incl attempts) in the year ending March 2022. This equates to 2.3% of adults, aged 16 yrs+, of which 798,000 were women (3.3%) and 275,000 men ( 1.2%).

An estimated 3.1 million adults were subjected to sexual violence before the age of 16. This equates to 7.5% of adults.

Impact of sexual trauma can be long-term and for some, lifelong, making every day life a struggle.

Sources CSEW; ONS (2022); CPS (2022); CPS (2019)

The Truth about...

Untruths about rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse minimise the gravity of the crimes and lessens the ability to hold perpetrators to account.

Myths surrounding sexual violence and abuse can stop survivors reporting what happened to them and getting the help they need to cope and recover.

Knowing the facts can help prevent misinformation spreading, in turn leading to a society that supports survivors more readily and makes it easier for them to tell someone what happened.

False allegations ShowHide

The Flight or Fight response ShowHide

Consent ShowHide

Perpetrators ShowHide

Please click here to find the sources and references used in the Facts and Figures section.

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