Sexual offences are a concern

The island’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre has helped 34 people in the first half of this year. Almost half of them were under-18.

The numbers who accepted a forensic medical examination are already on a par with the whole of last year. Others were signposted or referred to specialist independent advisers.

One deputy asked relevant questions expressing concern about the high proportion of young victims indicated in the statistics.

It appears that more cases of a sexual nature are reaching the courts, especially those involving young people. Offences of this type are extremely sad, often leaving lasting damage on victims, as well as a record which perpetrators find harder to overcome than for other types of crime committed when young.

It’s hard not to conclude that sexual behaviour among many young people has changed in ways which society is finding hard to address – but needs to, and quickly.

BLE continues to make victims of sexual offences a priority in its service delivery plan, with 10 sexual offences investigative trained officers, trauma-informed training, including enhanced training for operational front-line officers as first responders, and information and support for those reporting sexual offences.

Among its priorities is to set victims on a positive path to recovery. But it appears that this issue is going to increasingly challenge law enforcement and the authorities more widely.