According to recent police data, there is one rape report every hour in London, with almost 8,800 cases handled in 2023. This averages to 24 cases per day, with a further 11,000 reports of other sexual offences. Shockingly, over 4,300 children reported being victims of rape or sexual assault in the same year. Charities express concerns that the true number of incidents is much higher, as many cases are not reported to the police.
The London-based Rape Crisis center has labeled these findings as “horrifying,” emphasizing the urgent need for change. They reveal that only a fraction of women and men who are victims of sexual violence actually report the crimes. Notably, police statistics show a significant increase in charges for sexual crimes in recent years.
In light of high-profile cases involving London Metropolitan Police Officers, public confidence in policing has been called into question, with only four out of ten people in England expressing trust in the police. The issue of sexual and domestic abuse within the police force has also come under scrutiny, with 657 officers under investigation last year.