STARK figures have shown how rapes and sexual assaults reported to have happened in hospital environments are largely going unpunished.

The data was released by West Yorkshire Police through a Freedom of Information request.

According to the figures, 39 rapes and 124 sexual assaults were recorded by the force between the start of 2019 and September of this year, where the location was identified as ‘hospital’.

In the same time period, five rapes and 21 sexual assaults were recorded where the offence location was specifically given as a hospital ward.

No one has been charged over the rape reports and of the 145 sexual assaults, just eight cases have resulted in a charge.

West Yorkshire Police has urged caution over the figures and said the location identifier of ‘hospital’ “should not be interpreted to mean that the offence took place within a hospital building, or that the offender/victim was a patient and/or employee at that hospital”.

The force said: “Location identifiers can be subjective, and open to the interpretation of the individual recording a crime. It should therefore be noted that the identifier can be used in a wide variety of facilities.”

However, there is a possibility the numbers could actually be higher as “there may be additional offences whereby the location qualifier has not been used and as such they are not captured within this response”.

A spokesperson said: “Crimes relating to sexual offences are taken very seriously by West Yorkshire Police. Specially trained officers are responsible for the investigation of these offences and are situated within both District Safeguarding Units and Protective Services (Crime), a specialist department which deals with complex investigations. 

“All investigations involving victims of sexual offences, regardless of the age of the person responsible, are dealt within a multi-agency setting, involving our statutory safeguarding partners.

“This approach allows not only for an effective investigation but ensures appropriate safeguarding measures are considered for any person deemed to be at risk.”

The force said there has been an increase in the number of sexual offences recorded over the last five years.

It put this down to improved crime recording, but also well-publicised national cases that have given victims the confidence to go to the police.

“Any non-recent reports receive the same level of investigation and response from specialist officers in West Yorkshire Police as recent reports do,” said the force. 

“West Yorkshire Police strives to ensure all victims receive the best possible service and care from all officers and staff.”

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