Over 2,200 incidents of rape and sexual offences were reported to Devon and Cornwall Police in the past year; however, hardly 2% led to charges or summons, as per statistics acquired by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice (SACA).
The data, spanning from September 2023 to 2024, indicates that out of 2,209 reports received by the police department, merely 50 resulted in formal action.
The predominant reported crime was sexual assault against females, with 781 occurrences recorded; however, only 18 led to charges. There were 721 reports of rape against a female, although just 18 charges or summons were issued within the same timeframe.
The research underscores alarming trends in the age demographics of victims and suspects. The predominant age group of victims was 10 to 19 years, whereas the most prevalent age range for offenders was 30 to 39 years.
Alongside police data, SACA provided insights from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government-supported entity that pays victims of sexual assault. In the previous year, the CICA processed 13,313 compensation applications from victims of sexual assault or abuse, resulting in 1,763 successful claims, which constitutes 13% of the total applications.
SACA specialist Ellie Lamey characterised the low acceptance rate as “remarkably low in relation to the volume of offences reported to police forces throughout the UK.”
SACA’s inquiry revealed multiple factors that could lead to the rejection of CICA applications:
- The event did not fulfil the criteria of a ‘crime of violence.’
- The application was submitted beyond the applicable deadline.
- Noncompliance with law enforcement or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority during enquiries
Notwithstanding these obstacles, £18.4 million in compensation was disbursed to victims in the preceding year.
Ellie underscored the need of victims being aware of their rights and pursuing assistance.
“It is crucial for victims to be aware of the support available to them and not to be discouraged or apprehensive about potential rejection.” Victims should recognise that they can report incidents of past abuse or assault to the police, irrespective of the elapsed time.
She stated that victims might bolster their cases by presenting medical evidence of injuries and fully participating with investigations:
“With pertinent evidence, we can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances that have led to the delay in a victim submitting an application.”
SACA provides a 24-hour helpline and live chat service for anyone seeking counsel and assistance after experiencing sexual assault or abuse. Additional information can be found on their website.
For individuals impacted, awareness of available options can substantially influence the quest for justice and restitution.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.