The Telegraph

Number Children Arrested Sex Crimes Record High

Youth Endowment Fund

Children arrested for sexual offences at a ten-year high

Beyond the Headlines 2026

Child arrests over sex crimes hit record high in UK  RT World News

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Violent porn is behind the rise in youth sexual offenses

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Children arrested for sexual offenses in England and Wales reached a record high of 3,809 in 2024-25, an 18% increase from 3,225 the previous year and 12% above the figure recorded a decade earlier, according to analysis by the Youth Endowment Fund.

Children arrested for sexual offenses in England and Wales reached a record high of 3,809 in 2024-25, an 18% increase from 3,225 the previous year and 12% above the figure recorded a decade earlier, according to analysis by the Youth Endowment Fund.

The 2024-25 arrest figure surpassed the previous peak of 3,633 set in 2015-16 and was 74% above the pandemic-era low of 1,979 recorded in 2020-21. Boys accounted for 98% of children arrested for sexual offenses over the past decade.

The 2024-25 arrest figure surpassed the previous peak of 3,633 set in 2015-16 and was 74% above the pandemic-era low of 1,979 recorded in 2020-21. Boys accounted for 98% of children arrested for sexual offenses over the past decade.

The number of children cautioned or convicted for indecent image offenses — including taking, possessing or distributing illegal images of children — rose 42% over the past decade, with total police-recorded indecent image offenses more than five times higher in 2024-25 than ten years prior.

The number of children cautioned or convicted for indecent image offenses — including taking, possessing or distributing illegal images of children — rose 42% over the past decade, with total police-recorded indecent image offenses more than five times higher in 2024-25 than ten years prior.

A YEF survey of 11,000 children aged 13 to 17 found 15% reported experiencing abuse in a relationship, including being pressured into sex, physically hurt or having explicit images shared without consent — roughly equivalent to one pupil per classroom.

A YEF survey of 11,000 children aged 13 to 17 found 15% reported experiencing abuse in a relationship, including being pressured into sex, physically hurt or having explicit images shared without consent — roughly equivalent to one pupil per classroom.

The rise in sexual offenses among children contrasts with broader declines in youth violence. Homicide victims aged 16 to 24 fell 41% to 63 in 2024-25, the lowest in over a decade, while hospital admissions for knife assaults among under-17s dropped by 20% to 409.

The rise in sexual offenses among children contrasts with broader declines in youth violence. Homicide victims aged 16 to 24 fell 41% to 63 in 2024-25, the lowest in over a decade, while hospital admissions for knife assaults among under-17s dropped by 20% to 409.

Researchers noted the rise in child sexual offenses may partly reflect greater awareness of abuse and increased willingness to report it, though analysts have also pointed to adolescent exposure to violent online pornography as a contributing factor.

Researchers noted the rise in child sexual offenses may partly reflect greater awareness of abuse and increased willingness to report it, though analysts have also pointed to adolescent exposure to violent online pornography as a contributing factor.

Children arrested for sexual offences at a ten-year high

Children arrested for sexual offences at a ten-year high

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Children arrested for sexual offences at a ten-year high

Children arrested for sexual offences at a ten-year high

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