In London, a New Rape Case is Reported Every Hour
According to London police, the number of rape charges has more than doubled since 2022. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to police data released on Friday, a rape is reported every hour in London. In 2023, nearly 8,800 cases were recorded, averaging 24 incidents per day. The figures, obtained by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests, also reveal over 11,000 reports of other sexual offences.
The total number of reported cases has risen by 14% over the last five years, reaching almost 20,000 incidents in 2023. This translates to an average of reports of sexual violence or rape every 26 and a half minutes.
Charities focused on safeguarding children and women from sexual violence argue that the actual figures are significantly higher. The London-based Rape Crisis center described the statistics as “horrifying,” stating that “urgent change is needed.” They estimate that just one in six women who are raped report the crime, while for male victims, the reporting rate is one in five. Additionally, only one in four survivors will report other forms of sexual assault.
Disturbingly, police statistics reveal that more than 4,300 children reported being victims of rape or sexual assault in 2023. Ian Critchley, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, explained in February that the rise in abuse among under-18s could be linked to a “toxic” online culture, including exposure to violent pornography.
Authorities attribute the increase in reported offences to greater willingness to come forward. The number of charges for sexual crimes has also significantly risen in recent years. Charges in 2018 numbered 818, dropped to 800 the next year, but then steadily climbed to over 1,400 in 2023.
In August, the UK Home Office indicated that rape offences resulting in charges take the longest to investigate, averaging around 423 days. This is in stark contrast to 55 days for 'violence against the person' offences and 28 days for theft.
The issue of public confidence in policing has garnered more scrutiny following a series of high-profile violence cases involving serving officers from the London Metropolitan Police. A survey in April suggested that only four out of ten people in England trust the police, with the capital's officers receiving the lowest trust level. Last year, a total of 657 Metropolitan Police officers were under investigation for sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or both.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
The total number of reported cases has risen by 14% over the last five years, reaching almost 20,000 incidents in 2023. This translates to an average of reports of sexual violence or rape every 26 and a half minutes.
Charities focused on safeguarding children and women from sexual violence argue that the actual figures are significantly higher. The London-based Rape Crisis center described the statistics as “horrifying,” stating that “urgent change is needed.” They estimate that just one in six women who are raped report the crime, while for male victims, the reporting rate is one in five. Additionally, only one in four survivors will report other forms of sexual assault.
Disturbingly, police statistics reveal that more than 4,300 children reported being victims of rape or sexual assault in 2023. Ian Critchley, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, explained in February that the rise in abuse among under-18s could be linked to a “toxic” online culture, including exposure to violent pornography.
Authorities attribute the increase in reported offences to greater willingness to come forward. The number of charges for sexual crimes has also significantly risen in recent years. Charges in 2018 numbered 818, dropped to 800 the next year, but then steadily climbed to over 1,400 in 2023.
In August, the UK Home Office indicated that rape offences resulting in charges take the longest to investigate, averaging around 423 days. This is in stark contrast to 55 days for 'violence against the person' offences and 28 days for theft.
The issue of public confidence in policing has garnered more scrutiny following a series of high-profile violence cases involving serving officers from the London Metropolitan Police. A survey in April suggested that only four out of ten people in England trust the police, with the capital's officers receiving the lowest trust level. Last year, a total of 657 Metropolitan Police officers were under investigation for sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or both.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
