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The Shifting Landscape of Sexual Offence Convictions

A recent BBC article reported that the number of sexual offences against men and has increased more than threefold in the past decade, with statistics from the Office for National Statistics showing 12,130 offences reported in England and Wales in 2016-17, compared with 3,819 in 2006-07. We are also seeing a record number of women being convicted of sex crimes, with many of the attacks are carried out on children. 142 women were found guilty of sex offences in 2016 – almost double that of 2014’s figures (74 women convicted) and more than triple the number at the start of the decade.

Sexual assaults against males

Figures show that reports of sexual assaults against males went from 2,687 to 7,610 (183% rise over the decade) and rape reports rose from 1,132 to 4,520 (a 299% increase) between 2006-07 and 2016-17. Moreover, a recent survey also found that 94% of offences against males are estimated to go unreported.

Over the same period, reports of sexual assaults against females rose from 21,128 to 38,186 (an 80.7% increase over ten years), and rape reports went from 12,599 to 36,639 (a 190% increase).

The BLAST Project, the UK's leading male only sexual exploitation service based in West Yorkshire, said more than eighty boys and young men had been referred to their service in the past year because they complained of either being sexually exploited or were found to be at risk of being abused.

The statistics relate to allegations which did not necessarily take place in the year they were reported - what we are instead seeing is an increase in the number of reports (of historic sex abuse allegations) being made to police. Research by Survivors UK, a support group for male victims of sexual abuse, has shown the average time it takes for a male victim to come forward is 26 years.

Female sexual offences convictions

The UK is also seeing a record number of women convicted of sex crimes. Ministry of Justice figures show 142 were convicted of sexual offence crimes in 2016 – almost double that two years earlier (74 were convicted in 2015) and more than triple the number at the start of the decade.

Experts are saying the figures for 2016 reflect a shift in attitudes towards women engaging in sexual contact with adolescent males. Associate professor of criminology at the University of the West of England in Bristol, Dr Kieran McCartan says this is a trend we are seeing on an international scale. McCartan suggested this comes down to a number of factors, including an increase in the numbers of victims coming forward, more cases being referred to the courts, more attuned police investigations, and thus more successful convictions.

Although most sexual offences are carried out by men, in recent years there has been a sharp rise in women being hauled into court for these crimes, which include grooming schoolboys. Among them was married geography teacher Lauren Cox, 27, who was imprisoned for 12 months following an affair with a 16-year-old pupil. Cox, of Croydon, South London, admitted five counts of sex with a child in her charge. Cox pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 17 and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.

Steve Lowe, director of Phoenix Forensic Consultants which treats and assesses child sex abusers, said the rise has occurred because we are now more prepared as a society to accept that women can be sexual predators.

'We are beginning to change our perception of the idea that having sex with an adult woman is a rite of passage for a young male.'

‘Now we would question a 13-year-old boy having sex with a 28-year-old woman. In the past that was more likely to have been accepted. But if you reverse that, it is obvious that a 28-year-old man having sex with a 13-year-old girl is abusive.

‘Historically, sex with an older woman was routinely seen as a positive thing for young males. It's possible that films such as The Graduate reinforce this view. But I would never accept that. These are distorted relationships and connections.'

‘It is also likely that greater education of young males allows them to talk about having been sexually abused' said Lowe.

‘The police and the Crown Prosecution Service are being more proactive on these cases than ever before.’

Out of the 142 female sex offenders, 16 were convicted of sexually assaulting males, and 21 were found guilty of sexual offences against women and girls.

35 were convictions for internet child pornography offences, six women were convicted of rape, and four were for exposure and voyeurism offences.

Women were also found guilty of offences involving an abuse of trust convicted of abusing their position of trust to commit sexual offences, which can be brought against teachers and carers assaulting children in their charge. Other offences by women included causing sexual activity without consent and gross indecency with a child.

Mark Kelly Sexual Offences Barrister in London, UK

My professional experience, approachability and considerable expertise means that you will be in a very safe pair of hands when it comes to your defence, and my track record is second to none. I consistently obtain favourable results for clients accused of a variety of fraudsexual offences, and financial and regulatory cases.

Serving Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, London, Bristol and the rest of the UK. If you have any queries about issues raised in this blog, or if you want to discuss your case, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly on 020 8108 7186 or fill out a contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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