Alarming Trend: Half of Child Sexual Assault Crimes in the UK Committed by Children Themselves

Half of the child sexual assault crimes reported by the British police in 2022 were committed by children themselves, according to multiple British media outlets. Experts have warned about the risks of children misusing smartphones, suggesting that children witnessing explicit content on their phones may lead to further sexual assault crimes against other children.

A report highlighted by several British media outlets revealed that half of the child sexual assault crimes recorded by the British police in 2022 were perpetrated by children themselves. In this context, Ian Critchley, the head of child protection at the British police, stated that the most common crimes are those committed by boys against girls, warning, “I believe this is exacerbated by access to pornography.” Critchley added, “Access to smartphones has increased significantly, even among children under the age of ten, and this has already worsened the situation.”

The three most common crimes committed by children are sexual assault on a female, rape of a female under 16, and the creation, possession, or exchange of inappropriate images. Data collected from police stations across England and Wales showed that more than 106,000 crimes of child sexual assault and exploitation were recorded in 2022.

The misuse of the internet is increasing year by year, with experts highlighting “sexual extortion” as a concerning trend. Children are being blackmailed by threats to send harmful images to their families or post them on social media platforms. The experts emphasize the importance of addressing these issues and promoting responsible internet usage to protect children from harm.