Figures reveal number of sex offences reported by women to Northumbria Police every day

Women report three indecent assaults and three rapes every single day in the Northumbria police area, new figures reveal.
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The disappearance and killing of former Durham University student Sarah Everard has turned the spotlight nationally on the risks faced by women.

She went missing in south London on the night of March 3, while walking home from a friend's flat in south London.

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A police diplomatic protection officer has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the disappearance of the marketing executive and police have today confirmed that they have found her body hidden in woodland in Kent.

Women are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than men in the Northumbria Police area according to statistics. Stock image posed by model.Women are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than men in the Northumbria Police area according to statistics. Stock image posed by model.
Women are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than men in the Northumbria Police area according to statistics. Stock image posed by model.

JPI Media’s data team has analysed the latest figures on reports of rape and sexual assault in police forces nationwide.

They show that in the 12 months to March 2020, the Northumbria force received 1,210 reports of sexual assault on a person aged 13 or over.

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Complaints from women outnumbered those from men by almost six to one.

An undated handout picture released by the Metropolitan Police on March 10, 2021, shows missing Sarah EverardAn undated handout picture released by the Metropolitan Police on March 10, 2021, shows missing Sarah Everard
An undated handout picture released by the Metropolitan Police on March 10, 2021, shows missing Sarah Everard
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There were 1,033 allegations of indecent assault on women – the equivalent of 2.8 per day – and just 177 of assaults on men.

The statistics do not break down the alleged perpetrators by gender.

Women are statistically more than 12 times as likely to be the subject of an alleged rape than men.

In the year to last March, the Northumbria force received 1,047 rape allegations, of which 969 – or 2.7 a day – came from female complainants and just 78 from male.

Kim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police PCCKim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police PCC
Kim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police PCC
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Unsurprisingly, given the size and population density of the area it covers, London’s Metropolitan Police dealt with more reports of sexual assault and rape than any other.

The Met received 5,805 reports of indecent assaults on women in the year to March 2020 and 5,546 reports that women had been raped, a rate of 15.9 and 15.2 incidents per day respectively.

Northumbria Police Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, said the force will ‘never stop’ in its efforts to protect women and girls in our region.

She said : “Like everyone else my thoughts are with Sarah’s loved ones and everyone affected by the sickening developments in London.

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"What has happened to Sarah is every woman’s fear but sadly, it’s a fear we all live with. Every woman I have spoken can relate. This may be rare and may have happened far away from our region but it’s shaken women everywhere. She just wanted to walk home – that is it.”

“Northumbria Police has a long-standing commitment to protecting women and girls from violence or abuse of any kind. Our campaigns on personal safety, encouraging people to report concerns, the training of door staff, working with schools, supporting victims – all this work and more will never stop.”

Commenting on the figures Northumbria Police Detective Superintendent Helen Anderson said the majority of these incidents would involve people who are known to one another.

She said: "We take reports of this nature extremely seriously and would encourage victims to come forward so we can help ensure they receive the support they need while doing everything we can to bring perpetrators to justice.

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“We have seen an increase in confidence from people to report such offences, which is welcomed as it means more victims are being given a voice and are accessing vital support services.

“It is also important to offer wider context and recognise that the overwhelming majority of these types of incidents involve people who are known to each other in some way, often taking place in a domestic setting. We would therefore ask that everyone looks out for their family, friends and neighbours and report any concerns they may have.

“We want to be clear that it is completely unacceptable to subject anyone to abuse.

“We are committed to ensuring the North East remains one of the safest places in the country to live, which includes working with partners to prevent such offences from occurring in the first place.”

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