The number of sexual offences reported in Guernsey nearly doubled last year, with cases involving children more than doubling.
The latest annual report from Bailiwick Law Enforcement shows 232 cases of sexual offences were committed in 2024, up from 159 in 2023.
109 of these cases involved children – more than a 50% increase on the 49 cases reported the prior year.
Last year saw a total of 67 sexual assaults and 39 rapes reported. 36 cases of each were reported in 2023.
125 sexual offences were reported in 2022, a year when new legislation came into force which better defined consent and added new offences such as coercion.
Law Enforcement noted that a “significant proportion” of 2024’s reports involving children are digital offences such as sextortion.
These reported offences included:
- Sexual communication with a child went from one report to over 30.
- Rapes of a child under the age of 13 went from no reports to 11.
- Seven cases of child sexual assault.
- 15 cases of child sexual touching.
- Nine cases of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
- 11 cases of possessing indecent images of children.
Guernsey Police said it hoped the increase was down to the improved confidence and “reduced stigma” of victims to report crimes following local and international awareness campaigns.
“The strategy for tackling Violence Against Women and Girls has progressed during 2024, which has been focused on bringing sexual offenders to justice and ensuring people that are victims of these offences feel safe to report them,” it explained.
“A targeted awareness campaign was undertaken in schools last year to ensure students understand sextortion and how to avoid becoming a victim. It has been included on the PSHE curriculum, and Police staff have been teaching workshops, delivering assemblies, and holding staff awareness training across the Bailiwick’s schools.
“Likewise, educational campaigns around the dangers of SnapChat, and more generally ‘nudes’ and harmful online sexual behaviours, were run following substantial concerns raised about children being exposed to harmful content.”
A specialist digital safety officer has also been deployed in the community to educate and inform, particularly in schools.
Guernsey Police achieved a Good score in a national audit of victim focused outcomes in 2024 by the Force Crime Registrar, indicating at least 90% compliance for serious crimes including sexual offences.