Two social workers looking at an infographic in a printed briefing document

Infographics

Explore our key data and latest trends in identification and response to child sexual abuse in digestible infographics

CSA Centre Infographic, which shows an illustration of an iceberg partially submerged in water. The title says 'Far more children are sexually abused than services identify'. Above the water, the graphic says '2,400 children on a child protection plan due to child sexual abuse (England and Wales)', '10,500 children seen by sexual assault referral centres (England and Wales)', '45,000 children assessed as being at risk of sexual abuse (England)', and '101,000 child sexual abuse offenses recorded by the police (England and Wales)'. Below the water, the graphic says "500,000 children are estimated to be sexually abused every year'.

References: Updated with local authority data from Wales in June 2025

Children are disproportionately likely to be victims of sexual offences

References: Office for National Statistics, 2023: Sexual offences prevalence and victim characteristics, England and Wales

We must formally recognise that children represent a significant proportion of victims and ensure their specific needs are met with sufficient and appropriate support.

Sexual abuse is just as common as other forms of childhood abuse

References: Office for National Statistics, Child abuse in England and Wales, 2020

References: Department for Education, Characteristics of children in need 2023/24

References: Department for Education, Characteristics of children in need 2023/24

Where children live matters

References: Home Office, Police recorded crime and outcomes 2023/24

References: Department for Education, Characteristics of children in need 2023/24

Child sexual abuse is prevalent across England and Wales but where children live impacts whether that abuse is responded to.

These maps show the average rates within each region; there are wide differences in rates across regions between individual police forces and local authorities.

More recording of child sexual abuse but cases take longer to complete at court

References: Home Office, Police recorded crime and outcomes 2023/24

References: Home Office, Police recorded crime and outcomes 2023/24, Ministry of Justice, Criminal justice system statistics 2024; FOI request, Home Office, Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2020/21; 2023/24