Rise in South Yorkshire sex offence prosecutions and convictions

Prosecution numbers and conviction rates for rape and other sex offences increased in 2016/17 from the previous year.

At the same time, there was a slight fall in both the number of prosecutions and the proportion of convictions secured for all violent offences against women and girls, as well as the figures for domestic abuse.

The statistics show there was on average one rape prosecuted every three days in the county last year.

And despite a fall of almost five per cent, there were still around 40 domestic abuse prosecutions per week.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s tenth Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) report, which was published today, said there had been huge increases in convictions for rape (48 per cent up) and other sexual offences (79 per cent) in the years since the first such report.

In the past year prosecutions and convictions nationally rose by 11.8 per cent and 11.2 per cent respectively) for rape and by 12.5 per cent and 14.7 per cent respectively for other sexual offences.

These offences, along with domestic abuse, now account for almost a fifth (19.3 per cent) of the CPS’s caseload — up from just 7.1 per cent in 2008

Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “Over the past ten years, the CPS has made significant strides in prosecuting VAWG offences. 

“More offenders are being successfully prosecuted for sexual crimes than ever before, including those committed against children.

“We are also prosecuting an increasing number of defendants who have used the internet to target their victims. 

“Our social media legal guidelines were updated last year and we are working with partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that training and guidance keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape.”

Violence against women and girls:

2015/16: 2,642 (1,964 (74.3 per cent) successful; 678 (25.7 per cent))

2016/17: 2,559 (1,886 (73.7 per cent); 673 (26.3 per cent))

Total down 3.1 per cent.

Rape: 

2015/16: 115 (59 (51.3 per cent) successful; 56 (48.7 per cent) unsuccessful)

2016/17: 118 (62 (52.5 per cent); 56 (47.5 per cent))

Total up 2.6 per cent

Other Sexual offences

2015/16: 230 (171 (74.3 per cent) successful; 59 (25.7 per cent) unsuccessful)

2016/17: 256 (207 (80.9 per cent); 49 (19.1 per cent))

Total up 11 per cent.

Domestic abuse: 

2015/16: 2,297 (1,734 (75.5 per cent) successful; 563 (24.5 per cent) unsuccessful)

2016/17: 2,185 (1,617 (74 per cent); 568 (26 per cent))

Total down 4.8 per cent