IT'S HORRIFIC

1,000s of sex attacks in NHS hospitals each year

- BENEDICT TETZLAFF DEAS

THOUSANDS of sexual offences including rape are being reported in British hospitals, figures reveal.

More than 1,000 reports per year are being made to police, but only a fraction result in charges, according to Freedom of Information requests to forces.

Ciara Bergman, of Rape Crisis, called our findings "deeply concerning". She said: "Sexual violence is vastly underreported, so these statistics are unlikely to be representative of the real figure.

"There is a need for rigorous safeguarding measures, and for hospital staff to have access to specialist sexual violence and abuse training" We sent FOI requests to 43 forces in England and Wales for the number of sexual assaults and rapes reported at hospitals, to which 28 responded.