Sexual assault cases rise 16% as Manchester University Hospitals treat more victims
By Carrie Smith & Rebecca Pocklington
Sexual assault victims treated at the Central Manchester University Hospitals increased by 16% in the last three years.
In 2008, 880 people were treated by the NHS Foundation Trust's hospitals, but by 2011 this had risen to 1023.
The Central Manchester University Hospitals run a number of services across Greater Manchester including the university corridor on Oxford Road.
NUS Women’s Officer, Olivia Bailey, said: “It is extremely disturbing that so many female students are assaulted and harassed while at university or college, and it is particularly worrying that the perpetrators in many of these cases are fellow students.”
The figures revealed by a Freedom of Information request also highlight that this is not just a female problem.
There has been a 19% rise in the number of men receiving treatment for sexual assault at the Trust’s hospitals since 2008, increasing from 68 to 81.
The number of women receiving treatment has risen by 16% in three years, increasing from 812 to 942.
It is not clear why this rise has occurred but Bernie Ryan, St Mary’s Centre manager, attributes this increase to a variety of issues including an increased awareness of the hospitals’ services and a rise in the number of referrals from police.
There has also been a big increase in the number of people being treated for domestic abuse at the Trust’s hospitals, rising from 135 to 169 since 2010.
This represents a 25% increase in just two years.
Philippa Robson, of Manchester Women's Aid, said: “Although not a direct cause for abuse, the recent social and financial pressures and the reduction in the number of support services due to the recent government cuts could be attributed to the rise in the number of cases of domestic and sexual abuse.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We know that many other victims are still suffering in silence. So the message is that regardless of when the incident happened, tell someone and get the help and support you need.”
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If you are affected by domestic and sexual abuse, call Manchester Women’s Aid on 0161 660 7999 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm) or for 24 hour support contact the Freephone Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 2000 247.
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This is not in any way a
This is not in any way a racist comment, but working in this field I can point out one very obvious reason for part of this increase in sexual assaults. Immigration. So many of the cases reported to us are by women who have been sexually assaulted by men who they describe as 'Asian' or 'Black' and with 'a foreign accent'.
It just seems that socio-cultural norms in other parts of the world are not quite aligned with our own in the UK. We see rape and sexual crimes as one of the most abhorrent types, where as throughout much of the world they don't quite have the same status - many places even blame the women, feeling that they are 'there for the taking' or 'asking for it'.
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