SERIOUS sexual offences reported to Essex Police have rocketed by more than 50 per cent in the wake of the Jimmy Savile paedophile scandal.
Since the investigation into the DJ began in October 2012, some 3,395 serious sexual crimes, including rape, sexual assault of a child, trafficking for sexual exploitation and indecent assault, have been recorded across the county by the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner.
Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said: "There have been significant increases in recorded violent crime and serious sexual offences in Essex, and these increases are reflected in figures for all of England.
"It is clear that there has been increased reporting of serious sexual offences to police forces in the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile and other high-profile sexual abuse cases."
Adult survivors of child sexual abuse make up around 29 per cent of the caseload of Rape Crisis Centres in Essex, with the numbers seeking help growing.
In the 12 months up to and including March, there have been 1,926 serious sexual offences reported in Essex, 457 more than the same time the 12 months previous.
Maldon, which has one of the lowest crime rates in Essex, experienced a 91.3 per cent increase in cases of serious sexual crime with 44 reported, 21 more than in the previous year.
Meanwhile, serious sexual crime in Chelmsford has risen by 22.1 per cent from 140 cases to 171 in the timeframe and, in Braintree, reported cases rose by 26.4 per cent from 91 to 155.
Essex Police says one reason for an increase in sex crimes is victims’ increasing confidence to come forward.
A spokeswoman for the force said: "Dealing with domestic abuse is a key priority for Essex Police and the force has been focused on supporting victims and encouraging reporting. This has led to an increase in the number of offences recorded and, although we have seen a decrease in the percentage of solved crimes, in real terms the numbers detected have actually increased by 350 offences."
Nationally, two women per week are killed by current or ex-partners, and one in four women in the UK will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
A spokesperson for domestic abuse charity Safer Places, based in Braintree and Chelmsford, said: "Domestic abuse affects all sections of society regardless of age, nationality, gender, sexuality, financial standing and religion.
"Women are most often the victims but this does not mean that men do not also suffer at the hands of their female partners."
Anyone who has been a victim of violent or sexual crime should call Essex Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
