A new report released by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) reveals that in 2023-24, police brought proceedings against 10,359 individuals for sexual offences in Australia.
Sixty-one percent of male offenders and 56 percent of female offenders had been proceeded against for any offence in the nine years before their first or only police action for a sexual offence in 2023-24. Fourteen percent of adult offenders had been proceeded against for other sexual offences in the nine years prior to their police action for a sexual offence in 2023-24.
The report, which is based on data collected from state and territory police agencies, showed a slight increase in sexual offending from 42.61 per 100,000 in 2022-23 to 43.06 per 100,000 in 2023-24.
"The detailed breakdown of statistics pertaining to sexual offenders and their characteristics provides partner agencies, particularly state and territory police agencies, with an accurate picture of sexual offending in Australia," said AIC Deputy Director Rick Brown.
"The AIC established the Australian Sexual Offence Statistical Collection as a measure of the First Commonwealth Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-24. This project has been extended and aims to inform policy makers and shape responses to sexual offending in Australia."
The AIC publishes a range of research on family, domestic and sexual violence that provides a valuable contribution to evidence-based policy making.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT
