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Sexual Offences against Children
Baroness Lockwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many prosecutions there have been against sex abusers of children on a comparative basis over the last five years and what penalties were imposed.[HL3324]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Tables containing the available information for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been placed in the Library. It should be noted that for England and Wales and Scotland it is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.
| Offence | Sex | Total prosecuted | Total found guilty(2) | Total sentenced | Discharge | Fine | Community sentence | Immediate custody | Other |
| Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal | M F | 293 1 | 135 1 | 135 1 | 7 -- | 4 -- | 12 -- | 106 -- | 6 1 |
| Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal | M F | 15 -- | 20 -- | 20 -- | 4 -- | -- -- | 5 -- | 10 -- | 1 -- |
| Indecent assault on male person under 16 years | M F | 419 13 | 287 6 | 289 6 | 14 -- | 6 -- | 94 3 | 152 3 | 23 -- |
| Indecent assault on a female under 16 | M F | 1,877 19 | 1,193 12 | 1,193 12 | 58 -- | 31 -- | 440 7 | 609 4 | 55 1 |
| Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 | M F | 97 -- | 76 -- | 76 -- | 4 -- | -- -- | 21 -- | 50 -- | 1 -- |
| Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 | M F | 187 2 | 169 1 | 171 1 | 37 -- | 20 1 | 58 -- | 55 -- | 1 -- |
| Incest with a girl under 13 | M F | 52 -- | 50 1 | 50 1 | -- -- | -- -- | 3 1 | 44 -- | 3 -- |
| Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse | M F | 2 -- | 2 -- | 3 -- | -- -- | -- -- | 2 -- | 1 -- | -- -- |
| Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 | M F | 8 -- | 6 -- | 6 -- | -- -- | 4 -- | -- -- | 2 -- | -- -- |
| Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. | M F | -- -- | -- 1 | -- 1 | -- -- | -- -- | -- 1 | -- -- | -- -- |
| Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 | M F | 13 -- | 6 -- | 6 -- | 1 -- | -- -- | 1 -- | 3 -- | 1 -- |
| Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 | M F | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- | -- -- |
| Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under | M F | 100 2 | 75 5 | 75 5 | -- 1 | 2 -- | 37 1 | 35 3 | 1 -- |
| Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under | M F | 155 -- | 121 2 | 119 2 | 9 -- | 2 -- | 49 1 | 54 1 | 5 -- |
| Total | M F | 3,218 37 | 2,140 29 | 2,143 29 | 134 1 | 69 1 | 722 14 | 1,121 11 | 97 2 |
M = Males.
F = Females.
(1) It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 or under.
(2) Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.
M = Males.
F = Females.
(3) It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 or under.
(4) Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.
(5) Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.
(6) Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.
(7) Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.
(8) It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.
(9) Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.
M = Males.
F = Females.
(10) Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.
(11) Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.
(12) Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.
(13) It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.
(14) Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.
M = Males.
F = Females.
(p) = provisional.
(15) Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 143.
(16) Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 144.
(17) Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 Section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 142.
(18) It is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is aged 16 years or under.
(19) Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.
M = Males.
F = Females.
(20) It is impossible to identify all of the cases where children are involved because the Scottish Office Home Department's classification of crimes and offences does not contain information on the victims of crime. The above table contains crimes within the classification which by definition involve children.
(21) Charge not proved includes proceedings dropped or halted, plea not guilty accepted or deserted, acquitted not guilty and acquitted not proven.
(22) Community sentence includes probation and community service orders.
(23) Other includes admonition or caution, absolute discharge, compensation orders, insanity, hospital and guardianship orders and remits to children's hearings.
Note:
All offenders were males and all victims were aged 16 years or under.
(24) Magistrates courts only.
(25) All courts (magistrates and the Crown Court).
Offence description Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(4) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 342 3 133 2 133 2 9 -- 4 -- 19 -- 93 2 8 --
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 21 -- 16 -- 16 -- 1 -- -- -- 1 -- 12 -- 2 --
Indecent assault on male person under 16 years M F 430 19 316 8 316 8 12 2 1 -- 123 3 170 2 10 1
Indecent assault on a female under 16 M F 2,019 17 1,350 5 1,344 5 97 - 29 -- 500 1 654 3 64 1
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 M F 88 -- 64 -- 65 -- 2 -- 1 -- 22 -- 36 -- 4 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 202 -- 205 -- 204 -- 38 -- 14 -- 81 -- 64 -- 7 --
Incest with a girl under 13 M F 40 1 35 -- 35 -- -- -- -- -- 9 -- 25 -- 1 --
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse M F 5 -- 4 -- 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4 -- -- --
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F -- -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. M F -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 M F 23 4 8 1 8 1 -- -- -- -- 2 -- 5 1 1 --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under M F 85 2 74 3 74 3 5 -- -- -- 33 2 32 1 4 --
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under M F 127 2 111 1 109 1 5 -- 3 -- 47 1 46 -- 8 --
Total M F 3,382 49 2,321 20 2,310 20 169 2 52 -- 837 7 1,143 9 109 2
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(9) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 124 1 86 -- 86 -- 2 -- -- -- 5 -- 75 -- 4 --
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 6 -- 14 -- 14 -- -- -- -- -- 3 -- 11 -- -- --
Buggery by a male of a male under 16(5) M F 48 -- 29 -- 29 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 28 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17(5) M F 1 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged 16 or 17(5) M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Buggery by a male with a female under 16(5) M F 25 -- 7 -- 7 -- 1 -- -- -- 2 -- 4 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17(5) M F 2 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a female aged 16 or 17(5) M F -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- --
Indecent assault on male person under 16 years M F 392 8 331 8 329 8 16 2 5 -- 94 4 203 1 11 1
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18(6) M F 10 -- 11 -- 11 -- 1 -- 2 -- 2 -- 4 -- 2 --
Gross indecency by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged under 18(6) M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Rape of a female aged under 16(7) M F 330 6 111 2 111 2 -- -- -- -- 4 1 94 1 13 --
Rape of a male aged under 16(7) M F 18 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 --
Attempted rape of a female aged under 16(7) M F 32 -- 21 -- 21 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 16 -- 3 --
Attempted rape of a male aged under 16(7) M F -- -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Indecent assault on a female under 16 M F 1,787 10 1,440 6 1,444 6 83 1 23 -- 441 2 823 3 74 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 M F 77 -- 81 -- 81 -- 4 -- -- -- 21 -- 54 -- 2 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 195 -- 203 -- 203 -- 39 -- 12 -- 67 -- 85 -- -- --
Incest with a girl under 13 M F 22 -- 21 -- 21 -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- 12 -- 3 --
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse M F 3 -- 5 -- 4 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 2 -- -- --
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- --
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(9) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. M F -- -- 2 1 2 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- --
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male(7) M F 1 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 M F 11 -- 6 -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 5 -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 M F -- 1 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 --
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under M F 62 -- 56 -- 57 -- 1 -- 3 -- 25 -- 28 -- -- --
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under M F 105 4 98 1 99 1 2 -- 1 -- 36 -- 57 1 3 --
Total M F 3,254 31 2,536 19 2,539 19 151 3 46 -- 714 7 1,511 8 117 1
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(14) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 16 -- 5 -- 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 -- -- --
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal M F 3 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Buggery by a male of a male under 16(10) M F 66 -- 66 -- 66 -- -- -- -- -- 4 -- 62 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17(10) M F 2 -- 3 -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged 16 or 17(10) M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Buggery by a male with a female under 16(10) M F 26 -- 17 -- 17 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 14 -- 1 --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17(10) M F -- -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a female aged 16 or 17(10) M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Indecent assault on male person under 16 years M F 315 10 349 6 348 6 8 1 6 -- 109 4 213 1 12 --
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18(11) M F 9 -- 11 -- 11 -- -- -- 1 -- 6 -- 4 -- -- --
Gross indecency by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged under 18(11) M F 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Rape of a female aged under 16(12) M F 474 3 209 1 208 1 1 -- -- -- 4 -- 185 1 18 --
Rape of a male aged under 16(12) M F 19 1 13 -- 13 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 4 -- 8 --
Attempted rape of a female aged under 16(12) M F 43 1 35 -- 35 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 27 -- 6 --
Attempted rape of a male aged under 16(12) M F 4 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Indecent assault on a female under 16 M F 1,587 17 1,590 7 1,577 7 61 1 34 -- 493 2 911 3 78 1
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 M F 40 -- 54 -- 54 -- 2 -- -- -- 13 -- 35 -- 4 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 164 -- 207 -- 210 -- 20 -- 20 -- 76 -- 86 -- 8 --
Incest with a girl under 13 M F 26 -- 19 -- 19 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 18 -- -- --
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse M F 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 2 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(14) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. M F -- 2 -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- --
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male(12) M F -- -- 3 -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 2 -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 M F 9 -- 3 -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 M F 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- --
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under M F 60 1 53 -- 52 -- 3 -- 1 -- 25 -- 20 -- 3 --
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under M F 96 1 108 1 109 1 1 -- -- -- 45 -- 58 -- 5 --
Total M F 2,965 38 2,752 16 2,740 16 96 2 62 -- 783 8 1,655 5 144 1
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(19) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Buggery by a male of a male under 16(15) M F 106 1 70 -- 70 -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- 67 -- 1 --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17(15) M F 6 -- 6 -- 6 -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- 4 -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged 16 or 17(15) M F 3 -- 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Buggery by a male with a female under 16(15) M F 34 1 21 2 21 -- 1 -- -- -- 1 -- 18 -- 1 --
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17(15) M F 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Buggery by a male aged 18-20 with a female aged 16 or 17(15) M F 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Indecent assault on male person under 16 years M F 355 18 353 10 343 10 9 2 2 -- 111 3 208 2 13 3
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18(16) M F 30 -- 17 -- 16 -- 2 -- 7 -- 3 -- 4 -- -- --
Gross indecency by a male aged 18-20 with a male aged under 18(16) M F 3 -- 2 -- 2 -- -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- --
Rape of a female aged under 16(17) M F 581 11 198 -- 198 -- -- -- -- -- 7 -- 173 -- 18 --
Rape of a male aged under 16(17) M F 45 -- 24 -- 23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 18 -- 5 --
Attempted rape of a female aged under 16(17) M F 74 -- 52 1 52 -- -- -- -- -- 3 -- 45 -- 4 --
Attempted rape of a male aged under 16(17) M F 5 -- 5 -- 5 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 -- -- --
Indecent assault on a female under 16 M F 1,627 12 1,621 6 1,581 6 59 3 40 -- 492 -- 910 3 80 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 M F 40 -- 44 -- 44 -- 1 -- -- -- 12 -- 30 -- 1 --
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 153 -- 199 -- 198 -- 26 -- 6 -- 70 -- 86 -- 10 --
Incest with a girl under 13 M F 14 -- 19 -- 19 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- 15 -- 2 --
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse M F 7 -- 3 -- 3 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- --
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 M F 2 1 1 1 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Offence Sex Total prosecuted Total found guilty(19) Total sentenced Discharge Fine Community sentence Immediate custody Other
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. M F -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- --
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male(17) M F 6 -- 6 -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 5 -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 M F 6 -- -- 1 -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- --
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 M F -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under M F 61 2 55 1 54 1 1 -- 1 -- 25 -- 24 1 3 --
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under M F 105 4 110 1 111 1 5 -- -- -- 42 -- 60 1 4 --
Total M F 3,265 50 2,808 23 2,756 19 107 5 59 -- 773 4 1,675 7 142 3
Outcome of proceedings
Year of sentence Crime Charge not proved(21) Custody Community sentence(22) Fine Other(23) Total
1992 Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 -- 5 2 -- -- 7
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 12 5 17 12 26 72
Handling obscene material 1 -- 1 3 -- 5
Lewd and libidinous practices 33 66 65 15 13 192
Total 46 76 85 30 39 276
1993 Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 -- 3 3 2 -- 8
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 14 3 17 18 16 68
Handling obscene material -- -- -- -- -- --
Lewd and libidinous practices 29 59 74 16 9 187
Total 43 65 94 36 25 263
1994 Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 -- -- 3 -- -- 3
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 7 11 17 26 17 78
Handling obscene material -- -- 1 1 -- 2
Lewd and libidinous practices 48 96 64 17 11 236
Total 55 107 85 44 28 319
1995 Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 -- 4 1 -- 1 6
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 8 11 17 13 10 59
Handling obscene material 1 2 -- 1 -- 4
Lewd and libidinous practices 36 94 50 13 9 202
Total 45 111 68 27 20 271
1996 Sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 3 2 4 1 -- 10
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 9 14 19 15 11 68
Handling obscene material 3 -- -- 7 -- 10
Lewd and libidinous practices 39 94 49 6 7 195
Total 54 110 72 29 18 283
Disposal
Year Offence Number prosecuted (24) Number convicted (25) Immediate custody Suspended custody Community supervision Fine Conditional discharge
1993 Gross indecency with a child 11 4 2 1 1 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 2 -- 1 1 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 8 7 2 2 2 1 --
Taking indecent photographs of a child -- 1 -- -- 1 -- --
Total 22 14 4 4 5 1 --
1994 Gross indecency with a child 11 7 3 -- 4 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 4 4 3 -- -- 1 --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 14 16 2 5 5 3 1
Total 29 27 8 5 9 4 1
1995 Gross indecency with a child 8 8 4 2 2 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 3 -- 1 2 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 19 16 2 5 3 1 5
Total 30 27 6 8 7 1 5
1996 Gross indecency with a child 8 7 1 2 2 2 --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 2 3 1 1 1 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 10 9 1 5 2 -- 1
Distributing indecent photographs of a child 1 1 -- 1 -- -- --
Possessing indecent photographs of a child 1 1 -- -- 1 -- --
Total 22 21 3 9 6 2 1
1997 Gross indecency with a child 3 2 -- 1 1 -- --
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 2 4 1 1 1 -- 1
Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 7 7 2 1 3 -- 1
Possessing indecent photographs of a child 1 1 -- -- -- 1 --
Total 13 14 3 3 5 1 2