The increase in the number of sexual offences in the North is “deeply concerning,” Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney has said.
He was speaking after it was revealed such offences had risen by more than 60 per cent.
Mr McCartney added what was also “particularly concerning” was the increase in the number of people viewing indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.
He added: “Victims and survivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual crimes should be encouraged to come forward and need support and I welcome the commitment from both the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to prioritize addressing these types of crime.
Mr McCartney concluded: “Sinn Féin have raised the issue at the Policing Board and we are bringing a motion before the Assembly on Monday calling for the need to support victims and survivors, as well as addressing sexual crimes.”
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