A TOTAL of 271 people were charged with a total of 578 counts of separate incidents of serious sexual offences in last year.
Statistics released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated that 368 rape cases, 17 attempted rape, one aiding and abetting rape, five assault with intent to rape, 22 abduction with intent to rape, 26 indecent assault, 26 defilement, one attempted defilement and 112 sexual assault that were recorded for the year.
The ODPP highlighted that the youngest accused person was a 13-year-old boy while the youngest victim was a three-year-old girl.
The statistics noted there were 269 victims of whom 183 victims were under the age of 18 years.
“All accused persons charged with sexual offences were male however
victims of the sexual offences were both male and female comprising
of 256 female victims and 13 male victims.
“There were 107 offences that occurred in domestic relationships or
where the accused was known to the victims.”
