The prevalence of child sexual abuse is difficult to determine because the crimes are often not reported. The actual number of cases will always remain unknown due to the high number of unreported cases.The true number of cases are most definitely far greater than the recorded numbers. The statistics are therefore unrealistic and do not determine the full extent of child sexual abuse. We do know that images and videos are being downloaded and traded via the internet prolifically.
According to the statistics provided by the charity Rape Crisis, 1 in 6 children have been sexually abused before the age of 18, 1 in 4 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult, 1 in 18 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult.
According to the criminal injuries helpline, in England and Wales 1 in 5 (20%) of women and (4%) of men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
That is 85,000 women and 12,000 men a year, which is 11 sexual offences every hour.
