Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests to police forces in England and Wales has revealed more than 8,500 sexual offences were committed against under-13s at or near schools between 2021 and last year. The findings indicate that multiple rapes are committed each year on school premises.
The majority of the under-13 victims were girls. While the overwhelming majority of such acts are carried out by boys, the exact proportion is not known, nor is the age gap between perpetrators and victims.
Only 33 out of 43 police forces provided data, meaning large areas, including Scotland, are not included in these figures. Becky Riggs, acting chief constable and lead for child protection and abuse investigation for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, suggested the figures could reflect an increased willingness to report sexual abuse rather than an increase in abuse itself.
The response to this issue has so far involved sex and relationships education, online safety laws including age verification and tighter pornography restrictions, and efforts to improve how the criminal justice system handles victims. Ministers aim to halve violence against women and girls, but resource and capacity problems are reportedly hampering courts and prisons.