The most recent figure from theCrime Survey for England and Wales reveal thatone in five women across the country have experienced some type of sexual assault since the age of 16. This is according to their analysis of violent crime statistics.
More than three million women aged between 16 and 59 are estimated to have been subjected to sexual offences, including assault by penetration. In the last year alone, the figures show that 31.% of women (510,000) and 0.8% of men (138,000) in the same age group report having experienced some sort of sexual assault.
Assault as defined in the survey includes rape, assault by penetration, attempted attacks as well as incidents of indecent exposure or unwanted sexual touching. The later was more common (11.5 per cent of adults aged 16-59, 3.8 million people) than rape or assault by penetration (3.4 per cent, 1.1 million people).
Rape Crisis told The Debrief that 'these figures highlight once again the very high levels of sexual violence perpetrated each year' in this country and remind us of the 'millions of victims and survivors who are impacted'. They also pointed out that Rape Crisis Centres are 'experiencing unprecedented need and demand for their specialist services year on year.'
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'In the year covered by today's ONS report' Rape Crisissay their network in England and Wales 'answered its highest ever number of helpline calls - 202,666 in total, or nearly 4,000 a week - and delivered over 450,000 sessions of specialist support, including advocacy, emotional support and counselling, an increase of 29% since 2015-16'.
The Crime Survey clearly shows that women are five times more likely than men to have experienced a sexual assault in the last year. However, it's important to note that the Office for National Statistics have pointed out in their summary of the report that the scale of sexual assaults against women, as recorded in this particular survey, have increased slightly but actually changed little since 2005. So, it's not the case that the number of women being assaulted is rising.
The ONS also notes that 5 out of 6 victims (83%) did not report their experiences to the police. They added 'the increase in sexual offences recorded by the police is thought to be driven by improvements in recording practices and a greater willingness of victims to come forward to report such crimes, including non-recent victims'.
Another noteworthy and troubling statistic in this survey was that the majority of women who reported a sexual assault in the year ending March 2017 were single. That means you're almost three times as likely to be sexually assaulted if you're single woman than you are if you're in a relationship.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement it's clear that women are more likely to be affected by sexual assault are looking for support, leaving services overwhelmed. The government talks a good game when it comes to supporting survivors of assault - both sexual violence and domestic abuse. Much has been done to tackle FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) for instance and Claire's Law has enabled women to check whether or not their partner has a history of violence. And, let's not forget the long-awaited Domestic Violence And Abuse Act which Theresa May has been working on since she was Home Secretary.
However, it's also true that support services have suffered cuts. As feminist direct action group Sisters Uncut have repeatedly pointed out, one in sex domestic abuse refuges has closed down since 2010 because of funding issues. In 2017, on one day alone, Women's Aid reported that their refuges had to turn away 94 women and 90 children in need of help.
In light of the latest figures from the Crime Survey, Rape Crisis are calling for 'significant and sustained' investment in specialist services which, they say, 'have never been more clear or more urgent'.
Follow Vicky on Twitter @Victoria_Spratt
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.