§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlie the increase in female rape in the year leading up to March 2003. [136243]
§ Beverley HughesSexual offences are significantly under-reported to the authorities. Police and Government action to support the victims of sexual assaults is likely to have increased the number of such incidents being brought to the attention of the police and therefore recorded by them. The introduction of the new National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) for all forces in April 2002 has further increased the recording rate because it requires the police to record all reported offences even if there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. Trends in the number of recorded sexual offences does not, therefore, necessarily reflect the real experience of such crimes. The Government are taking action on a variety of fronts to reduce the actual incidence of rape.