Sexual Offences (Hansard, 9 December 2002)

§ Vera Baird
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a judicial direction that consent means free agreement. [84288]

§ Hilary Benn
Consultation with the Judicial Studies Board has confirmed our view that it would be inappropriate to incorporate a standard direction on consent in statute because the exact direction in any particular case will need to vary according to the individual circumstances.
Once the new sex offences legislation is in force, the Judicial Studies Board will be invited to consider whether there needs to be a specimen direction covering the various provisions relating to consent and, if so, what the appropriate terms of such a direction might be.

§ Vera Baird
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the list of reverse presumption situations in the White Paper Protecting the Public at paragraph 31 will be exhaustive. [84289]

§ Hilary Benn
The list of circumstances in which it will be presumed that consent is most unlikely to have been present will be exhaustive and will be clearly defined in the Sex Offences Bill. It will not be possible to amend it other than by means of further primary legislation.
However there are clearly numerous other situations in which consent will not be present and the alleged offence will be proveable in court. The list is confined to those circumstances where prima facie the position is so clear that it is justified to provide a rebuttable presumption that consent was not present.

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many sexual offences against children were reported in each of the last ten years, broken down by category of offence; and what proportion of these resulted in conviction; [85116]
(2) how many people have been convicted of sexual offences against children in each of the last ten years; and what percentage of the population has been convicted of a sexual offence against a child; [85117]
(3) what assessment he has made of the average number of children abused by each paedophile convicted in the last five years. [85118]

§ Hilary Benn
The available information, relating to recorded crime and persons convicted in England and in Wales for the years 1991 to 2000 (2000/01 for recorded crime), relates to those offences where the age of the victim is identified by the offence, Statistics for 2001 will be available shortly. Information is not held centrally on the number of children abused by each paedophile convicted, nor on the proportion of the population with convictions for sexual offences against children. Information is not held centrally on the number of children abused by each paedophile convicted, nor on the proportion of the population with convictions for sexual offences against children.
123W

Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales- Number of offences and number of persons Recorded Crime

Offences 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998–99¹ 1999–2000 2000–01

Indictable Offences

Sexual offences

Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male of a male under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged 16 to 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male with a female under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a female aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Indecent assault on male person under 16 years ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Gross indecency by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged under 18 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Rape of a female aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Rape of a male aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Attempted rape of a female aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Attempted rape of a male aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Indecent assault on a female under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 315 253 268 275 178 171 148 153 181 155

Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 1,949 1,563 1,433 1,446 1,260 1,261 1,112 1,135 1,270 1,237

Incest with a girl under 13 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with firl under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under 1,147 1,158 1,280 1,512 1,287 1,215 1,269 1,293 1,365 1,336

Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under 1,147 1,158 1,280 1,512 1,287 1,215 1,269 1,203 1,365 1,336

Other indictable offences

Take or make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, or children ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Summary Offences

Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph of a child ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³—

Total for England and Wales 3,411 2,974 2,991 3,233 2,725 2.647 2,529 2,581 2,816 2,728

Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales—Number of offences and number of persons Persons convicted²

Offences 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998–99¹ 1999–00 2000–01

Indictable Offences

Sexual offences

Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 168 163 136 135 85 5

Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 26 17 20 16 14 2

Buggery by a male of a male under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 29 66 70 57 57 51

Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— 2 3 6 7 1 5

Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged 16 to 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— ³— 1 1 1

Buggery by a male with a female under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 7 17 21 23 13 13

124W 125W

Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales-Number of offences and number of persons Persons convicted²

Offences 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998–99¹ 1999–2000 2000–01

Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— 2 2 1 1

Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a female aged 16 or 17 ³— ³— ³— ³— 1

Indecent assault on male person under 16 years 351 363 293 324 339 355 365 342 337 299

Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18 ³— ³— ³— ³— 11 11 17 18 10 11

Gross indecency by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged under 18 ³— ³— ³— ³— 2

Rape of a female aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 113 210 198 221 247 206

Rape of a male aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 2 13 24 15 37 24

Attempted rape of a female aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 21 35 52 41 44 32

Attempted rape of a male aged under 16 ³— ³— ³— ³— 2 2 5 14 7 2

Indecent assault on a female under 16 1,469 1,331 1,205 1,355 1,446 1,597 1,627 1,505 1,491 1,353

Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 105 89 76 64 81 54 44 55 52 53

Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 223 218 170 205 203 207 199 225 189 214

Incest with a girl under 13 68 52 51 35 21 19 19 19 13 12

Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual

intercourse 3 3 1 4 5 3 1 2

Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with firl under 16 1 3 6 2 3 1 2

Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. 2 1 3 1 1 1

Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male (3) (3) (3) (3) 2 3 6 7 3 4

Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 8 12 6 9 6 3 1 4 1 3

Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 1 1

Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under 91 99 80 77 56 53 56 61 73 58

Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under 128 129 123 112 99 111 153 144 135

Other indictable offences

Take or make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children 39 44 37 27 44 69 103 82 139 218

Summary Offences

Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph of a child 43 30 35 36 37 79 81 105 99 77

Total for England and Wales 2,728 2,553 2,241 2,401 2,635 2,916 3,011 2,958 2,962 2,774

¹ New Home Office rules for counting and classifying crime were introduced in April 1998: information on notifiable offences is presented on a financial year basis from that date.

² Data are on the principal offences basis.

³ Counts are not collected centrally for these detailed offences.

Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales- Number of offences and number of persons Recorded Crime
Offences	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998–99¹	1999–2000	2000–01
Indictable Offences
Sexual offences
Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male of a male under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged 16 to 17	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male with a female under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a female aged 16 or 17	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Indecent assault on male person under 16 years	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Gross indecency by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged under 18	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Rape of a female aged under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Rape of a male aged under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Attempted rape of a female aged under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Attempted rape of a male aged under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Indecent assault on a female under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13	315	253	268	275	178	171	148	153	181	155
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16	1,949	1,563	1,433	1,446	1,260	1,261	1,112	1,135	1,270	1,237
Incest with a girl under 13	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with firl under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Abduction of unmarried girl under 16	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Abduction of unmarried girl under 18	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under	1,147	1,158	1,280	1,512	1,287	1,215	1,269	1,293	1,365	1,336
Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under	1,147	1,158	1,280	1,512	1,287	1,215	1,269	1,203	1,365	1,336
Other indictable offences
Take or make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, or children	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Summary Offences
Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph of a child	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—	³—
Total for England and Wales	3,411	2,974	2,991	3,233	2,725	2.647	2,529	2,581	2,816	2,728