EXCLUSIVE: Nearly 6,000 reports of sexual assaults with under 18 victim
There have been just under 6,000 sexual assaults or rapes reported where a child under the age of 18 was the victim in just 5 years in Northern Ireland.
Downtown Radio & Cool FM got the exclusive statistics from the PSNI as we speak to police about the crime and those helping victims.
In the past five years, 5,999 victims of sexual assault or rape have been teenagers, children and infants.
Nearly 1,000 of those victims were under the age of 5.
In the last year alone 1,139 sexual assaults or rapes were reported by a victim under 18.
Most of the reports to police happened in a house or a dwelling, according to the PSNI figures.
Another place where these many of these attacks took place was in public or an open space.
We spoke to the PSNI and The Rowan to find out more about these worrying figures and what they are doing to try and prevent them happening.
Service Manager for The Rowan, Claire Galloway, said: : “At the Rowan we understand the devastation sexual violence can have on the lives of individuals and families. The Rowan is there for each and every person affected and will work at their pace, with their wishes at the forefront, to ensure they receive the best care possible and whatever support may be required to rebuild their lives.”
Further information on the services provided can be found on The Rowan website at www.therowan.net
Detective Chief Inspector Siobhan Ennis said: “The national theme of this week has been ‘the silence surrounding abuse must be broken’.
“As a police service we couldn’t agree more with this statement and even more people in Northern Ireland than ever before are taking that incredibly brave step to come forward and report.
“As a society, we must continue to dispel harmful myths and move away from a victim blaming culture."