Rape and Sexual Offence Prosecutions in the UK: Critical Issues and Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The past year has seen an alarming increase in reported rape and sexual offences in the UK, with a total of 3,909 incidents reported in 2020-2025, up from 3,353 in 2023-2024. This surge in reported crimes coincides with a worrying trend of decreased offenders being charged, from 309 charges two years ago to 193 in the past year. The number of rape prosecutions being abandoned across the UK has also risen dramatically, from 160 in 2020-2021 to 608 in 2024-2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The total number of reported rape and sexual offences in the UK has increased by 17.2% in the past year, with 3,909 incidents reported in 2020-2025, up from 3,353 in 2023-2024.
  • The number of offenders charged has dropped by 37.5% in the past year, from 309 charges two years ago to 193 in the past year.
  • The number of rape prosecutions being abandoned across the UK has increased by 279.4% in the past four years, from 160 in 2020-2021 to 608 in 2024-2025.
  • Only 5% of reported rape and sexual offences led to charge or summons by Derbyshire Constabulary in the past year.
  • The most common type of sexual offence reported to Derbyshire Constabulary since 2022 has been rape of a female aged 16 and over, totaling 2,655 offences.
  • The number of applications for sexual assault or abuse compensation has increased by 43.2% in the past two years, from 10,309 submitted in 2022 to 14,665 in 2024-2025.
  • Despite the increase in applications, the number of settled claims and compensation paid out by the CICA has dropped year-on-year.

Statistics:

  • 3,909: Total number of reported rape and sexual offences in the UK in 2020-2025
  • 3,353: Total number of reported rape and sexual offences in the UK in 2023-2024
  • 193: Number of offenders charged by Derbyshire Constabulary in the past year
  • 309: Number of offenders charged by Derbyshire Constabulary two years ago
  • 160: Number of rape prosecutions being abandoned in the UK in 2020-2021
  • 608: Number of rape prosecutions being abandoned in the UK in 2024-2025
  • 2,655: Number of rape of a female aged 16 and over reported to Derbyshire Constabulary since 2022
  • 14,665: Number of applications for sexual assault or abuse compensation in 2024-2025
  • 10,309: Number of applications for sexual assault or abuse compensation in 2022

Sources:

  • (https://www.sexualabusecompensationadvice.org.uk/sexual-abuse-claims/)
  • A recent inspection into the CPS
  • Lucy Duckworth, Policy Advisor at The Survivors Trust
  • The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)