Almost 50% rise in sexual offences, CSO figures show

Recorded sexual offences jumped by almost 50% between 2007 and 2011 — but detection levels of those crimes dropped.

Of the nearly 2,000 sex crimes committed in 2011, only one in six cases resulted in charges being brought, according to the CSO.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland raised concerns at the length to time prosecutions were taking, pointing out that of the cases taken in 2011, less than a quarter concluded in the same year.