Rise in reports of child-on-child sexual assaults
ALLEGATIONS of children sexually assaulting other children in Greater Manchester have gone up nearly 250 per cent in four years, figures show.
Greater Manchester Police data shows that since 2013, around 2,800 reports of sexual assault on under 16s by other children made.
Of the cases investigated by detectives, 264 – less than 10 per cent – have resulted in a charge to date.
MP Ann Coffey, who has campaigned extensively for action against child sexual abuse, said it was encouraging that an increasing number of young child are coming forward to report assaults. have been
But she said the sheer number of reports was concerning. The Stockport MP said many children have a ‘distorted view’ of what is ‘acceptable’ behaviour because of their access to the internet and social media.
“One of my concerns is that because of material available, particularly to boys, children are developing the view that certain sexual behaviour is acceptable when not,” she said.
“This material is distorting their views of what is normal.”
The data, obtained by our sister paper the M.E.N. following a Freedom of Information request, revealed reports of sexual assault have increased year on year since 2013.
That year, there were 256 allegations. The number of reports rose to 468 the following year.
GMP investigated 554 cases in 2015; 637 in 2016; and 892 in 2017.
The number of charges resulting from reports remained steady it is between 2013 to 2015, averaging around 70 each year. In 2016, there were 46 charges from 637 cases; and 16 from 892 in 2017.
Some cases reported last year are still being investigated.
Inspector Zaheer Ali said victims now have more trust in the police and judicial system, meaning more children have the confidence to come forward.
Greater public awareness is also said to be a factor.
Insp Ali said: “We have been working alongside our partners including local authorities, education providers and St Mary’s Sexual Health Referral Centre to increase confidence in parents and victims to report this crime.
“By providing appropriate advice and support we have been able to create a level of trust which has been reflected in these figures.
“Recent high profile cases where action has been taken against offenders has resulted in an increase in reports by members of the public.
“This activity highlights how police and partners take such reports seriously and will see that justice is served,” he said.