Shocking figures reveal 6,500 sex attacks in UK hospitals in just three years as only four percent end in prosecution

17 April 2023, 07:20 | Updated: 17 April 2023, 10:05

Founder Heather Binning called the 6,500 reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Founder Heather Binning, far right, called the 6,500 reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Picture: LBC / Alamy / Heather Binning

By Danielle DeWolfe

Shocking statistics revealed today show more than 6,500 sex attacks took place in UK hospitals in the space of only three years.

The alarming figures, which equate to 33 offences taking place every week, also show that only 4.1 percent resulted in the alleged offender being charged.

Compiled as part of a report published today by the Women's Rights Network, list a range of offences including gang rapes and assaults on children.

Surfacing following a freedom of information requests submitted to police forces in England and Wales, the numbers show at least 2,088 rapes and 4,451 sexual assaults were reported between January 2019 and October 2022.

Those numbers collated offences taking place across both private and public UK hospitals.

Nick Ferrari and Professor Jo Phoenix on hospital assaults

Women's Rights Network founder, Heather Binning, called the reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg'.

The report, written by Reading University criminology professor Jo Phoenix, said that hospitals were "failing in their duty to protect both patients and staff".

Speaking with Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Professor Phoenix explained the figures reported were comprised of incidents taking place on hospital premises and on hospital wards.

"We know how poor the police have been performing generally when it comes to these matters - it's a crime that has the highest attrition rate," said Professor Phoenix.

Read more: Rising sports star among four killed, as 28 injured in mass shooting at sister's birthday party in Alabama

Read more: Devil worshipper who escaped from secure hospital following detention for the murder of his cousin is found by police

"What we have to remember is that hospitals are not any other place. And we have quite a few examples in the past of national scandals where there have been sexual assaults in hospitals which, if you like, went unnoticed and undetected."

Adding: "All I have to do is mention the name Jimmy Saville".

Founder Heather Binning called the reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Founder Heather Binning called the reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Picture: LBC / Alamy

A sentiment echoed by Binning, the report's findings are likened to the culture of silence and abuse seen at Stoke Mandeville Hospital - the location for much of Saville's abuse.

She adds the figures illustrated police forces' failings and hospitals failing to protect vulnerable patients.

"The police are not doing enough in terms of recording the crimes properly and pursuing them – these are places with CCTV and restricted access. Why is the charge rate so low?" said Binning.

"These statistics are jaw-dropping. We began this investigation because of concerns about the safety of women and children on NHS wards, but we are horrified at what we have uncovered."

Founder Heather Binning called the reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Founder Heather Binning called the reported crimes were 'just the tip of the iceberg', with reports echoing those of the Jimmy Saville abuse scandal which rocked Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Picture: LBC / Alamy

She adds: "The volume of sexual assaults and rapes is even more horrific when you consider that this data covers the pandemic, when much of the country was in lockdown and hospitals were supposedly even more vigilant."

According to the WRN, better record-keeping of crimes is required, with the group calling on the Home Office to create guidelines for the police which allow for increased accuracy where sexual crimes within healthcare is concerned.

The report also called for scrapping rules which state trans people should be accommodated 'according to their presentation' in hospital wards.

It follows the news earlier this month which saw trans women banned from female world athletics events over fears of a competitive advantage.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The plane, which was carrying 80 people, slid down onto the icy runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport before bursting into flames

Horrifying video shows moment Delta plane crashes on tarmac and bursts into flames at Toronto airport

Healey's comments came following Russia-US Peake talks in Saudi Arabia.

UK facing 'new era of threat' from Russia, Defence Secretary says as he unveils ‘biggest military shake up in 50 years’

Passengers escape Flipped over Delta plane after it crashed while landing in Toronto

'We were hanging upside down like bats': Survivors reveal fear and chaos inside flipped over Delta plane

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

British couple on round-the-world motorbike adventure charged with espionage by Iranian authorities

An assistant referee has been charged with child sexual offences.

Assistant referee for FA Cup and football league games charged with child sexual offence

Corinna Schumacher, right, has broken her silence on the case involving a plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets.

Michael Schumacher's wife breaks silence after three men guilty of blackmail plot to reveal F1 legend's health secrets

Doctor Who

Doctor Who faces axe as Nucti Gatwa 'quits' show amid drop in ratings over 'woke' storylines

Pope Francis

Pope Francis cancels weekend engagements as hospital stay extended

Bristol, UK. 19th Mar, 2020. Petrol now under £1 a litre as the drop in oil prices hits the forecourt. 99.9p a litre at Costco, Avonmouth, Bristol. Credit: Julian Kemp/Alamy Live News

Ten people injured after 'noxious substance' thrown in Costco as police hold teenage suspect

Alhaurin El Grande Malaga Province Spain Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación

Heartbreak as Brit pensioner, 90, 'starves to death in her Spanish home' as son, 63, 'found dead in property'

E-scooters are currently illegal to use on the public highways including pavements.

E-scooters blamed for 'shocking' surge in uninsured teen riders with 2,000% increase in offences

Thames Water has won court approval for a £3 billion emergency debt package as the nation's biggest water company scrambles to avoid collapse.

Thames Water handed £3 billion lifeline as court approves restructuring plans to save it from financial collapse

US and Russia begin talks about Ukraine in Saudi Arabia

Vladimir Putin 'ready to meet Zelenskyy', Moscow says as Russia-US peace talks underway

A drone view of Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock during an Everton under-18 friendly match test event.

Everton's new stadium makes its grand debut after £800million and four years

Job Centre Plus, London Road, Twickenham, Greater London, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom UK, Europe

UK wages see unexpected rise as unemployment rate holds steady at 4.4 per cent