Sexual violence

Rape and sexual assault are serious crimes and cause significant public health problems. They have a devastating impact on the victim, their family and friends, and society as a whole. 


Cross-government action plan

The Government’s Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse, published in April 2007, sets out a series of current and planned measures to:

Tackling sexual assault and supporting victims

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (introduced in May 2004) clarified the law on sexual assault, for example, by establishing a legal definition of consent. It also created new offences and strengthened the previous laws.

We have extended the existing network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and, over the last few years, we have invested in other statutory and voluntary sector support services for victims of sexual crime.

Key publications

• Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence - 2006/07 Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2006/07, Home Office Statistical Bulletin 03/08
• A gap or a chasm? Attrition in reported rape cases, Home Office Research Report 293, 2005
• Sexual Assault Referral Centres: Developing good practice and maximising potentials, Home Office Research Report 285, 2004

See also

• Crime in England and Wales 2007/08

For practitioners

• More about sexual violence and abuse on the Home Office website
• Read the Cross-government Action Plan on Sexual Violence

Related links